Can you name ten foods that start with the letter M? You might think of muffins, mangoes, or macaroni. But what about mamey sapote, monaka, or mafaldine? The world of food is vast and full of delicious discoveries waiting to be made.
This list serves as your guide to over 100 foods that begin with the letter M, encompassing everything from everyday fruits and vegetables to exotic dishes and delightful desserts from around the world. You’ll find familiar favorites alongside new and exciting options that could become your next culinary obsession.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next meal, trying to win a trivia game, or simply expanding your food vocabulary, this list has something for everyone. We’ve organized these “M” foods into categories, such as fruits, vegetables, main dishes, and desserts, to make it easy to find what you’re looking for. Get ready to explore a marvelous menu of M-named foods.
Fruits Starting With M
Fruits bring natural sweetness and vibrant colors to our plates. This section highlights a variety of M-fruits, from common grocery store finds to rare tropical treasures.
- Macadamia Nut: A creamy, buttery nut native to Australia, often used in desserts. (About Australian Macadamias, n.d.)
- Mamey Sapote: A soft, creamy fruit with a flavor reminiscent of sweet potato and pumpkin pie.
- Mandarin Orange: A small, sweet citrus fruit that’s easy to peel.
- Mango: A sweet, juicy tropical stone fruit with a distinct, fragrant flavor.
- Mangosteen: A tropical fruit with a sweet and tangy flavor, known for its purple rind and white, segmented flesh.
- Manila Mango: A smaller, sweeter variety of mango from the Philippines, also known as the Ataulfo mango.
- Maqui Berry: A small, dark purple berry from South America, often sold as a superfood powder. (Maqui Berry Organic, Raw Powder, 4oz, n.d.)
- Marang: A tropical fruit related to jackfruit, with a creamy, sweet taste.
- Marionberry: A type of blackberry developed in Oregon, known for its complex, rich flavor. (Marionberry Aseptic Puree, 2025)
- Melon: A broad category of fruits that includes cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon.
- Miracle Fruit: A small red berry that makes sour foods taste sweet. (Yong & Ed, 2011)
- Monstera Deliciosa: An exotic fruit from a tropical plant with a flavor like a pineapple-banana blend.
- Mountain Soursop: A fruit related to soursop, with a fibrous, subacid pulp.
- Mulberry: A small, sweet berry that grows on trees and resembles a blackberry.
- Muscadine: A type of grape native to the southeastern United States, with tough skin and a musky flavor.
Vegetables Starting With M
Vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet, providing essential vitamins and minerals that are crucial for overall well-being. Here are some of the most notable vegetables that start with the letter M.
- Mâche: A leafy green with a mild, nutty flavor, also known as lamb’s lettuce.
- Malabar Spinach: A leafy green that is not a true spinach but has a similar taste and is heat-tolerant.
- Malanga: A root vegetable similar to taro, popular in Caribbean and Latin American cuisines.
- Maltese Mushroom: A parasitic plant, not a true mushroom, that is a delicacy in Mediterranean cuisine.
- Mangelwurzel: A type of beet primarily grown as livestock fodder but also edible for humans.
- Marrow: A mature, large zucchini with a mild flavor, often stuffed and baked.
- Mashua: A tuberous crop from the Andes, with a peppery taste when raw that mellows when cooked.
- Miner’s Lettuce: A leafy plant with a mild flavor, named for the Gold Rush miners who ate it to prevent scurvy. (Miner’s Lettuce, n.d.)
- Morel Mushroom: A prized wild mushroom with a honeycomb-like cap and an earthy, nutty flavor.
- Moth Bean: A small, drought-resistant legume from India, often sprouted or used in curries. (Moth Beans – GROW INDIA NATURALS, n.d.)
- Mountain Yam: A type of yam that grows in mountainous regions.
- Mozuku: A type of edible seaweed from Okinawa, known for its slimy texture. (Japan’s Most Popular Types of Seaweed, n.d.)
- Mung Bean: A small, green legume used in both sweet and savory dishes, especially in Asian cuisine.
- Mushroom: A diverse category of fungi, including varieties like cremini, shiitake, and portobello.
- Mustard Greens: The peppery leaves of the mustard plant, often used in Southern and Asian cooking.
Main Dishes, Sides, and Snacks
From hearty main courses to comforting snacks, the letter M offers a world of savory delights. This list covers dishes from various cultures that are sure to inspire your next meal.
- Macaroni and Cheese: A classic comfort food made with macaroni pasta and a creamy cheese sauce.
- Mafaldine: A ribbon-shaped pasta with ruffled edges.
- Mahi-Mahi: A firm, white-fleshed fish with a mild, sweet flavor.
- Mapo Tofu: A popular spicy Sichuan dish made with tofu, minced meat, and a fiery sauce.
- Marinara Sauce: A simple tomato-based sauce, typically seasoned with garlic, onions, and herbs.
- Massaman Curry: A rich, mild Thai curry with Persian influences, often made with chicken or beef. (Massaman curry, n.d.)
- Matar Paneer: An Indian vegetarian dish made with peas and paneer cheese in a tomato-based sauce.
- Matzo Ball Soup: A traditional Jewish soup with dumplings made from matzo meal.
- Meatballs: Ground meat rolled into small balls, often served with sauce or in soup.
- Meatloaf: A dish of ground meat mixed with other ingredients, formed into a loaf shape, and baked.
- Menudo: A traditional Mexican soup made with tripe in a red chili pepper base.
- Merguez: A spicy lamb or beef sausage from North Africa.
- Meze: A selection of small dishes served as appetizers in the Middle East and Mediterranean.
- Miso Soup: A traditional Japanese soup made with miso paste, dashi broth, and often tofu and seaweed.
- Mofongo: A Puerto Rican dish of fried and mashed plantains, often mixed with pork cracklings.
- Mole: A traditional, complex sauce in Mexican cuisine, often containing fruit, chili, nuts, and spices. (Mole Sauce: Recipe & Health Benefits | Authentic Mexican Cuisine, n.d.)
- Mortadella: A large Italian sausage made of finely ground pork, with cubes of pork fat.
- Moussaka: A layered dish from the Balkans and Middle East, typically made with eggplant or potato, minced meat, and a creamy béchamel sauce. (Moussaka, 2025)
4… and more! The list continues with a variety of other delicious dishes.
Sweets, Desserts, and Baked Goods
No meal is complete without something sweet. This section is dedicated to all the delightful desserts, candies, and baked treats that start with the letter M.
- Macaron: A delicate French meringue-based confection with a creamy filling.
- Madeira Cake: A simple, firm sponge cake, traditionally served with Madeira wine.
- Madeleine: A small, shell-shaped sponge cake from France.
- Malasada: A Portuguese donut, a fried dough pastry coated in sugar.
- Malted Milk: A powdered grain mixture used in milkshakes and candy.
- Maple Syrup: A sweet syrup made from the sap of maple trees.
- Marble Cake: A cake with a streaked or mottled appearance achieved by blending light and dark batter.
- Marron Glacé: A candied chestnut, a delicacy in French and Italian cuisine. (Marron glacé, 2022)
- Marshmallow: A soft, spongy confection made from sugar, water, and gelatin.
- Marzipan: A sweet paste made from ground almonds and sugar, often molded into shapes.
- Melomakarona: Greek honey cookies, a traditional Christmas treat. (Traditional Greek Recipes: Melomakarona (Christmas Honey Cookies), n.d.)
- Meringue: A dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar, often baked until crisp.
- Milkshake: A cold drink made by blending milk, ice cream, and flavorings.
- Mille-Feuille: A French pastry also known as a Napoleon, made of layers of puff pastry and cream. (Mille-feuille, n.d.)
- Mince Pie: A small British sweet pie filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices.
- Mochi: A Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice, often filled with a sweet paste.
- Molasses: A thick, dark syrup produced during the sugar-making process.
- Monaka: A Japanese sweet made of azuki bean jam sandwiched between two crisp mochi wafers.
- Mooncake: A traditional Chinese pastry filled with lotus seed paste or red bean paste, eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Mooncake – Wikipedia, n.d.)
- Muffin: A small, individual-sized quick bread that can be sweet or savory.
Spices, Herbs, and Condiments
This final section covers the seasonings and sauces that add flavor and flair to our food. Discover the M-words that make our meals more exciting.
- Mace: The lacy outer covering of the nutmeg seed, with a warmer, spicier flavor.
- Mahlab: An aromatic spice made from the seeds of a species of cherry. (Mahleb, n.d.)
- Malt: Germinated cereal grains that have been dried, used in brewing and distilling.
- Maple Sugar: A traditional sweetener made from evaporated maple sap.
- Marjoram: An herb with a sweet, citrusy, and piney flavor, similar to oregano.
- Mayonnaise: A creamy condiment made from oil, egg yolk, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice.
- Mirin: A type of sweet rice wine used as a seasoning in Japanese cooking.
- Miso: A traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji.
- Molasses: A viscous product resulting from refining sugarcane or sugar beets into sugar.
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): A flavor enhancer that provides an umami taste. (Monosodium glutamate, n.d.)
- Moutarde: The French word for mustard.
- Mustard: A condiment made from the seeds of the mustard plant.
Your Next Food Adventure
From everyday mangoes and muffins to the more exotic mamey sapote and moussaka, the world of food is rich with variety. Exploring foods that start with a single letter can be a fun way to discover new flavors and expand your culinary horizons. The next time you’re at the grocery store or a specialty market, keep an eye out for an M-food you’ve never tried before. You might just find your new favorite dish. Take this comfort food to the next level.
