Food exploration opens doors to new flavors, cultures, and culinary adventures. Whether you’re expanding your grocery list, playing word games, or simply curious about the incredible diversity of ingredients available, discovering foods that begin with specific letters can be both educational and inspiring.

The letter “S” offers an impressive array of options, from staple ingredients found in every kitchen to exotic delicacies from around the world. This comprehensive list encompasses a wide range of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, spices, and prepared dishes that showcase the remarkable variety of foods beginning with this letter.

From sweet strawberries to savory salmon, spicy sriracha to satisfying sourdough, these 100 foods demonstrate how one letter can encompass such a wide range of culinary diversity. You’ll find familiar favorites alongside discoveries that might inspire your next cooking adventure.

Fruits That Start with S

Strawberry – These bright red berries are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, perfect for desserts or eating fresh. (Health Benefits of Strawberries, According to a Dietitian, 2023)

Star Fruit (Starfruit) – Also known as carambola, this tropical fruit has a distinctive star shape when sliced and offers a sweet-tart flavor.

Sapodilla – A tropical fruit with brown skin and sweet, grainy flesh that tastes similar to brown sugar.

Soursop – A large, spiny tropical fruit with creamy white flesh and a flavor combining strawberry and pineapple notes.

Sugar Apple – Also known as sweetsop, this fruit features a bumpy exterior and a sweet, custard-like interior.

Sea Buckthorn – Small orange berries that are extremely high in vitamin C and have a tart, citrusy taste. (Sea Buckthorn, n.d.)

Spanish Lime – Small green fruits with translucent flesh, popular in Caribbean and Latin American cuisine.

Surinam Cherry – Small, ribbed fruits that range from green to deep red with a sweet-tart flavor.

Vegetables Starting with S

Spinach – This leafy green vegetable is rich in iron, folate, and vitamins A and K. (Spinach · Nutrition Data, n.d.)

Sweet Potato – A nutritious root vegetable with orange flesh that’s naturally sweet and versatile.

Swiss Chard – Colorful leafy greens with edible stems that come in varieties with red, yellow, or white stalks.

Shallot – Small onions with a mild, sweet flavor that’s essential in French cuisine.

Sugar Snap Peas – Edible pod peas that are crisp and sweet, perfect for stir-fries or raw snacking.

Spaghetti Squash – When cooked, the flesh of this winter squash separates into strands resembling pasta.

Sunchoke – Also known as Jerusalem artichoke, these tubers have a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture.

Scallion – Green onions with mild flavor, using both the white bulb and green tops.

Sorrel – Tart, lemony leaves used in salads and soups, particularly popular in French cuisine.

Summer Squash – Tender squashes like zucchini and yellow crookneck that are harvested young.

Grains and Starches Beginning with S

Semolina – Coarse flour made from durum wheat, essential for making pasta and certain breads.

Sorghum – An ancient grain that’s naturally gluten-free and has a mild, sweet flavor.

Spelt – An ancient wheat variety with a nutty flavor and higher protein content than regular wheat. (Spelt: Nutrition, health benefits, and how to use it, n.d.)

Sweet Corn – Fresh corn kernels that are naturally sweet and can be eaten off the cob or removed.

Sourdough – Bread made with wild yeast fermentation, creating a distinctive tangy flavor.

Soba – Japanese buckwheat noodles with a nutty flavor, often served hot or cold.

Sushi Rice – Short-grain rice specifically prepared with vinegar, sugar, and salt for sushi making.

Proteins That Start with S

Salmon – This fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and has a distinctive pink-orange color. (Salmon as food, n.d.)

Sardines – Small, oily fish often canned, providing excellent nutrition in a compact package.

Scallops – Sweet, tender shellfish that cook quickly and have a delicate ocean flavor.

Shrimp – Popular crustaceans that are versatile and quick-cooking.

Sole – A delicate white fish with a mild flavor, perfect for gentle cooking methods.

Swordfish – A meaty fish with a firm texture, excellent for grilling or broiling.

Snapper – Lean white fish with sweet, mild flavor and firm texture.

Sirloin – A cut of beef from the rear of the animal, known for its balance of tenderness and flavor.

Sausage – Seasoned ground meat stuffed into casings, available in countless varieties worldwide.

Seitan – Wheat protein that serves as a meat substitute with a chewy texture.

Spices and Seasonings Starting with S

Salt – The most fundamental seasoning, essential for enhancing flavors in virtually every cuisine.

Sugar – Basic sweetener available in many forms, from granulated white to raw brown varieties.

Saffron – The world’s most expensive spice, derived from crocus flowers and prized for its golden color. (Saffron, 2025)

Sage – Aromatic herb with earthy, slightly bitter flavor, particularly popular in fall dishes.

Star Anise – Star-shaped spice pod with intense licorice flavor, essential in Chinese five-spice.

Sumac – Middle Eastern spice with tart, lemony flavor and beautiful red color.

Smoked Paprika – Spanish spice that adds deep, smoky flavor and rich red color to dishes.

Sesame Seeds – Tiny seeds with a nutty flavor, used whole or ground into tahini paste.

Szechuan Peppercorns – Chinese spice that creates a unique numbing sensation on the tongue.

Stevia – Natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the stevia plant leaves.

Dairy and Alternatives That Start with S

Sour Cream – Tangy, creamy condiment made from fermented cream, popular in many cuisines.

Swiss Cheese – Pale yellow cheese with distinctive holes and a nutty, sweet flavor.

Stilton – An English blue cheese characterized by its strong flavor and creamy, crumbly texture.

String Cheese – Mozzarella cheese processed to pull apart into strings, popular as snacks.

Skyr – Icelandic cultured dairy product similar to yogurt, but thicker and higher in protein. (What is Skyr?, n.d.)

Soy Milk – Plant-based milk alternative made from soybeans, naturally dairy-free.

Beverages Beginning with S

Sparkling Water – Carbonated water that can be flavored or plain, offering a refreshing alternative to still water.

Sake – Japanese rice wine with a delicate flavor, served warm or at room temperature.

Smoothie – A Blended beverage typically combining fruits, vegetables, and liquid bases.

Soda – Carbonated soft drinks are available in countless flavors worldwide.

Sangria – Spanish wine-based punch mixed with fruit and sometimes brandy.

Scotch – Whisky made specifically in Scotland, with distinct regional characteristics. (Scotch Whisky Regions, n.d.)

International Dishes Starting with S

Sushi – Japanese dish featuring vinegared rice with various toppings, often including raw fish.

Samosa – Indian deep-fried pastry filled with spiced vegetables or meat.

Sauerkraut – German fermented cabbage with a tangy flavor, rich in probiotics. (How Sauerkraut Became Germany’s Superfood, n.d.)

Spanakopita – Greek spinach pie wrapped in flaky phyllo pastry.

Satay – Southeast Asian grilled meat skewers served with peanut sauce.

Shakshuka – a Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in spiced tomato sauce.

Soup Dumplings – Chinese steamed buns filled with broth and meat.

Spring Rolls – Asian appetizers wrapped in thin pastry, served fresh or fried.

Stroganoff – Russian dish featuring meat in creamy sauce, typically served over noodles.

Succotash – American dish combining corn and lima beans, often with other vegetables.

Sweet Treats That Start with S

Sherbet – Frozen dessert made with fruit, sugar, and water, lighter than ice cream.

Shortbread – Scottish butter cookie with crumbly texture and rich flavor.

S’mores – American campfire treat combining graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows.

Strudel – Austrian pastry with paper-thin dough wrapped around sweet fillings.

Sundae – Ice cream served with various toppings, such as syrups, nuts, and whipped cream.

Sugar Cookie – A Simple, sweet cookie often decorated with icing or sprinkles.

Soufflé – a French dessert that’s light and airy, rising dramatically during baking.

Nuts, Seeds, and Legumes Starting with S

Sunflower Seeds – Edible seeds from sunflowers, popular as snacks or salad toppings.

Soy Beans – Versatile legumes used to make tofu, tempeh, miso, and many other products.

Split Peas – Dried peas that have been split in half, commonly used in soups.

Snow Peas – Flat pea pods eaten whole, popular in Asian stir-fries.

Condiments and Sauces Beginning with S

Sriracha – Hot sauce made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt.

Soy Sauce – Fermented sauce made from soybeans, essential in Asian cuisine.

Salsa – Mexican sauce typically made from tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro.

Sweet and Sour Sauce – Popular Chinese-American sauce combining sugar, vinegar, and other flavors.

Sambal – Indonesian chili paste with intense heat and complex flavor.

Steak Sauce – Tangy condiment specifically designed to complement grilled meats.

Additional Foods Starting with S

Seaweed – Marine algae used in many Asian cuisines, rich in minerals and umami flavor.

Sprouts – Young plant shoots that add crunch and nutrition to salads and sandwiches.

Stuffing – A Seasoned bread mixture typically cooked inside poultry or as a side dish.

Syrup – A Sweet liquid used as a topping or ingredient, available in maple, corn, and fruit varieties.

Saltines – Light, crispy crackers with a distinctive salt crust on top, perfect for soups or snacking.

Exploring Your Culinary Alphabet

This extensive list of 100 foods beginning with “S” demonstrates the incredible diversity available in our global food system. From everyday staples like spinach and salmon to exotic discoveries like soursop and sumac, each item offers unique flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits.

Whether you’re a curious cook looking to expand your repertoire, a parent helping children learn about different foods, or someone who simply enjoys discovering new ingredients, this collection provides plenty of inspiration. Consider trying one new “S” food each week to gradually expand your palate and cooking skills.

The next time you’re at the grocery store, farmers market, or international food shop, keep this list in mind. You might discover your new favorite ingredient or be inspired to recreate a dish from a cuisine you’ve never explored before.