Foods That Start With R

Can you name at least ten foods that start with R? What about international dishes that start with the letter R?

If you’re finding it difficult to name these, do not worry! We’ve put together a comprehensive list of foods that start with the letter R, so you don’t have to. Keep reading further in this article to find out!

Everyday Foods That Start With R

• Rye Bread

Rye bread is a type of bread made from rye grains, with a varied proportion of flour. The color of the bread could be light or dark brown depending on the type of rye grain used. It is often denser than other types of bread and is paired with cheese.

• Reuben Sandwich 

Reuben sandwich is a grilled swiss cheese sandwich that is made with corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and dressing. The corned beef is usually placed between thick slices of rye bread.

• Runner Beans

Runner Beans (or scarlet runners) are called so due to their growth habits and their bright red flowers. They’re popular among many household gardeners due to their multipurpose ways. These beans are perfect for when you want to cover a garden fence, have a beautiful display, and gain food in the process!

The beans themselves are pale green, with small white seeds. These seeds can be consumed raw or dried, and can be added to many cuisines. 

• Raisins

Raisins are nothing but dried grapes. These grapes are either harvested and dried in rows in the vineyard or kept on the grapevines until they achieve desired dryness. Raisins generally refer to dried large grapes that are usually black or dark in color. They can be used in cooking, baking, and as a garnish, or you can even eat them raw.

• Rolls

Rolls ( also known as Dinner Rolls) are soft individual pieces of bread that are usually spherical, or round with one flat side. They’re served along with stews, curries, or other main course meals. Indian cuisine also serves them along with Chai tea, with butter or jam between the layers of rolls.

Foods That Start With R: Fruits And Vegetables 

• Radish

Radish is a native Asian root vegetable that can be consumed raw, pickled, or added in vegetable gravy. The top leaves of radish are also used in salads or as a leaf vegetable. The seeds of the radish plant can be sprouted or dried. Dried and pressed radish seeds can be used to extract radish seed oil which is high in vitamin C, and is believed to be extremely beneficial for your hair, skin, and overall healing.

• Radicchio 

Radicchio (also known as Italian Chicory) is a leaf vegetable with red leaves and white veins. Radicchio is mostly used in Italian cuisine and has a spicy, somewhat bitter, taste. It is also often served with ingredients like cheese, mustard, anchovies, herring fillet, etc to mellow its bitter flavor.

• Red Cabbage

Red Cabbage is a species of cabbage that gets its name from its brightly colored dark red/purple leaves. It is known for its unique property of changing the color of its leaves according to the pH level of the soil. Red Cabbage is often eaten raw, in salads and coleslaw. It can also be cooked as a side dish.

• Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce, or Cos lettuce, is popularly used in salads and wraps and is known for its ability to stay crunchy and crispy without wilting. The dark green leaves grow on a tall head of lettuce.

Romaine lettuce is heat resistant unlike its other varieties, which means that you can use it in sauté, stir-fries, and grilled vegetable dishes without having to worry about sloppy texture!

• Red Pepper

Red peppers are a variety of bell peppers or capsicums that are mildly sweet but mostly earthy and spicy. Did you know that bell peppers are technically a fruit?

• Red Potatoes 

Red potatoes are medium to small in size and are grown both commercially and in individual households for personal use. They’re well known for holding their shape when cooked or boiled and are best used in cooking or baking.

• Red Onions 

Red onions are called so due to their purple-red skin and whitish-red flesh. The skin of these onions is so densely colored that it is often used in dyes. The flesh is commonly used in cooking and baking recipes.

• Roma Tomatoes

Roma tomatoes are commonly known as Italian tomatoes because they’re widely used in this cuisine for making sauces and gravies. They’re also used for canning purposes, due to their rich, plum pulp and scarlet-red color.

• Rambutan 

Rambutan is a tropical tree that is native to Southeast Asia. The fruit of this tree, which is also known by the same name, is often compared to a sea urchin in its appearance. It has a hairy red and green shell, and the white flesh resembles lychee. It contains a seed in the center once peeled and has a very sweet and creamy taste.

• Rutabaga

The rutabaga plant is a root vegetable that is often compared to a turnip in terms of taste. It is brownish-white in color and is extremely nutritious for your health. Rutabaga is known to aid weight loss and is very low in calories.

• Raspberries

When you thought of foods beginning with the letter R, did these luscious berries cross your mind? I bet they did. And did you know that raspberries belong to the rose family?

Raspberries are very low in calories and have tons of nutrients. They can be eaten raw, or added to dessert foods like ice cream, cakes, cheesecakes, frostings, etc. What’s more, they have several health benefits and are high in vitamin C!

• Rose Apple

The Rose apple is a native Southeast Asian fruit. It has a bell-like shape and can be red, yellow, or green. It has a sweet, sometimes bitter aftertaste, and looks very similar to guava.

Foods That Start With R: Main course and Side Dishes

How many meat and fish dishes do you think you can name? Keep reading to find out more foods that begin with R. 

• Roast Chicken

There is nothing simpler and nothing more delicious than a hefty serving of roast chicken food. It is either roasted over a fire, in the oven, or sometimes in a campfire.

• Ribs

Ribs are cuts of meat from animals such as pork, lamb, beef, or venison. You can bake them, grill them, or smoke them in a barbeque for a smoky flavor. 

• Rice 

Rice is a staple pantry ingredient in many cuisines around the world. And particularly as an Asian, your mind quickly stops at rice when you think of foods that start with R.

Did you know that rice is the most consumed staple food in most of the world? And it is incredibly versatile! It can be used in the main course, stews, soups, desserts, and even with any flavor palette like fish, meats, and vegetables.

• Ramekin 

Up until today, I used to think ramekins were the small ceramic bowls we cook our custards in. And they are. But Ramekin is also a breaded cheese and egg dish made in the oven! If you’re looking to make this breakfast dish, try this recipe. 

• Ravioli

Ravioli is an Italian pasta dish made by enveloping a filling of cheese and vegetables between rolled-out pasta dough to create small pockets. This dish is usually served with gravy or tomato sauce on top.

• Rigatoni 

Rigatoni is a type of pasta food variety that is similar to Penne. It is tube-shaped, with various length and diameter measurements. The word ‘Rigatoni’ translates to ‘Rigged’ in the English language, which is fitting due to its rigged texture on the outside, and smooth texture on the inside.

• Risotto

Risotto is a north Italian dish that is prepared by cooking rice in a meat or fish broth with other ingredients like cream, onions, garlic, butter, lime juice, wine, and cheese. I like to add mushrooms to the recipe!

• Ratatouille 

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think of the brilliant rat chef and his famous dish when I said the letter R. Ratatouille, from the movie with the same name, is traditionally a french stewed vegetables dish that is cooked in a pot. Other ingredients include sliced tomatoes, onions, aubergine, capsicum, garlic, and other leafy vegetables like herbs, cabbage plant, etc.

• Rocky Mountain Oysters

This dish, despite its name, does not contain oysters at all! It does not even contain any fish or seafood whatsoever! 

Rocky Mountain Oysters are bull testicles skinned, coated in flour, seasoned and deep-fried. This delicacy is often served as a side dish in many parts of the US.

Oriental Foods That Start With R 

If you’re looking for oriental foods that start with the letter R, your search ends here. Check out this list now!

• Raita

If you’ve ever had biryani from an authentic Indian restaurant, they will serve it with Raita. It is a condiment that is prepared by mixing yogurt with other spices and bits of vegetables.

• Ramen

Ramen is a Japanese dish that is made up of wheat noodles or rice noodles, chicken or fish broth, and seasoned using soy sauce. It often features many toppings like pulled pork, fish-cakes, eggs, or scallions. If you’re looking to make ramen at home, try this recipe.

• Red Bean Cake

Owing to its name, the red bean cake is a traditional Chinese cake made using a paste of sweet red bean filling.

• Rajma

Rajma, or Rajma-Chawal (Rajma-rice), is a North Indian dish that is made using kidney beans that are cooked in a tomato-based gravy. The process of slow-cooking these beans along with the gravy gives it a nice, rich flavor. I like to recommend this article when you want to try it. 

• Ramune

Ramune is a Japanese soda water drink that comes in all kinds of flavors, like pineapple, melon, lychee, etc.

• Roast Squab

Roast Squab is nothing but young pigeon meat that is slow-cooked in an oven and seasoned with salt and spices. Squab has been a crowd favorite for many centuries throughout the world.

• Rongi

A Rongi is an Indian curry cooked with black-eyed peas, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices, and served with boiled rice.

Foods That Start With R: Desserts

• Rocky Road ice cream 

The best type of ice cream there is! Rocky Road features a chocolate base, with fruit and nuts, and marshmallows on top!

• Rice pudding

Rice pudding is traditionally made with water, rice, milk, and sugar. Although there are all kinds of variations around the world. People also add cinnamon, saffron, condensed milk, raisins, vanilla, and even eggs!

• Ratafee

Ratafee is a sweet dessert liqueur made from wine and brandy and flavored with peach, plums, and bitter almonds.

• Ratafia 

Ratafia are the biscuits or cookies that are flavored with the ratafee liqueur and often served with them.

• Raindrop Cake

Raindrop cake is a Japanese cake that is made out of water and agar and shaped into a raindrop. 

• Rugelach

Rugelach is a Jewish pastry that looks similar to a croissant in shape and is filled with all types of nuts, chocolate, raisins, etc. If you wish to try your hand at this recipe, I recommend this one!

• Red Velvet Cake

Seriously, who doesn’t love red velvet? The rich chocolatey sponge and cream cheese frosting are to die for. It would be safe to say that this is one of my favorite foods starting with R.

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• Rum Cake

Rum is a special type of fruit cakes where the raisins are soaked in rum for months before adding them to the cake. In most Caribbean cuisine, this cake is a traditional holiday cake and celebrates the spirit of the holidays.

Final Thoughts 

Now that you know so many foods beginning with the letter R, go ahead and check out all the new recipes listed in this article! And trust me, this list will only go on.

Out of the many food items you saw, let us know which one interested you most! And don’t forget to flaunt your knowledge about foods that start with R!