25 Popular Foods That Start With H

A hamburger is a universally recognized dish including a juicy cooked meat patty nestled between two soft bun slices.

It is often accompanied by various toppings and condiments, such as lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

The meat patty comes in different types of meat (the most common one is beef). There are also vegetarian burgers.

Overall, hamburgers are especially popular in America and popularized through global chains like McDonald’s and Burger King.

Hot dogs are a well-known version of sandwiches. This piece of sandwich originated from Germany and is widely adopted by Americans.

The ingredient that makes hot dogs special is the sausage. The sausages can be grilled or steamed and placed in the middle of two slices of bread.

People can add extra veggies like cucumbers, and tomatoes, or sauces like mustard, mayonnaise, etc.

They are a popular street food, quick snack, and barbecue favorite in many parts of the world, known for their convenient and portable nature.

Hummus is a Middle Eastern staple made from a blending of chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and citrus.

Mediterranean folks normally pair hummus with pita bread or chips. It’s also a delightful breakfast spread on toast or as a salad dip.

Hummus has a creamy, buttery texture and a robust garlic aroma.

Hash browns are a popular breakfast dish made from grated or shredded potatoes that are typically pan-fried until they become crispy and golden brown.

Formerly known as hashed brown potatoes (or hashed browned potatoes), this dish was created in New York City during the 1890s and was a renowned breakfast in luxury hotels.

Hash Browns are perfect when served as a side dish with bacon or eggs or dipped with some common sauces such as ketchup, sour cream, and other creamy sauces.

Halva is a signature Middle Eastern dessert. It comes in two common forms: flour-based and nut/seed-based. Its texture is akin to brownies, with a fudgy center.

The flour-based halva is soft, spongy, and gooey, while the nut-based variety is drier and delightfully crunchy.

Sesame, sunflower, pistachio, or almonds are frequently used to make halva, with rosewater and saffron adding an aromatic touch to these sweet treats.

Beyond the Middle East, variations of halva are found in other countries. For example, Tajik cuisine features a version known as halvaitar.

Ham is a type of meat that comes from the hind leg of a pig. It is usually preserved through curing, smoking, or salting.

The color of ham can range from pink to a deep rose or reddish-pink, depending on the curing process.

Its texture is firm yet tender, and it often has a marbled appearance due to its fat content. The flavor of ham is both savory and slightly sweet, with a rich, meaty taste.

Ham is often served in slices, which can be thin or thick, and it’s a popular choice for sandwiches, as well as a main dish for festive occasions like Easter or Christmas.

Haggis is a national dish of Scotland. It is made from the organs of sheep (e.g., heart, liver, and lungs), which are minced and mixed with onions, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt.

This mixture is then packed into the sheep’s stomach, which serves as a casing, and boiled for several hours.

It results in a sausage-like and savory flavor with a tender, crumbly texture.

It’s commonly served with “neeps and tatties” (turnips and potatoes) and is a celebrated part of Scottish culture, especially during Burns Night celebrations.

Hamantaschen is a traditional Jewish cookie, essential for Purim (Jewish festival in early spring).

Its triangular shape symbolizes Haman’s hat or ears from the Purim story.

These cookies are versatile, with centers that can be filled with various syrups like chocolate or fruit fillings and jams.

Classic flavors include poppy seed, prune, and apricot, offering a simple yet delightful taste of buttery cookie with a sweet center.

Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened, brined cheese traditionally made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, and sometimes also cow’s milk.

It originates from Cyprus and is popular in the cuisine of the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Halloumi has a distinctive layered texture and a salty flavor, a result of the brining process. It’s distinctive for its high melting point, which allows it to be easily grilled or fried without losing its shape.

When cooked, Halloumi develops a crispy, golden-brown exterior while remaining soft and chewy inside.

Its taste is mildly tangy and savory, making it a versatile ingredient in salads, sandwiches, and as a standalone dish.

Haystacks are a delightful, no-bake dessert typically consisting of chow mein noodles.

These noodles are mixed with a binding ingredient like melted chocolate, butterscotch, or peanut butter, which acts as a flavorful adhesive, holding the noodles together in a cluster.

Once the ingredients are mixed, they are dropped in small, mound-like shapes onto a baking sheet, resembling a stack of hay, hence the name “Haystacks.”

These treats harden as they cool, resulting in a crunchy texture with a sweet and creamy flavor.

They are simple to make and enjoyable to eat at various casual gatherings and children’s parties.

Horseradish is a root vegetable known for its pungent, spicy flavor. It is long and white, resembling a large radish or a parsnip.

When the root is grated or crushed, it releases a sharp, sinus-clearing aroma similar to mustard or wasabi.

This reaction occurs due to the breakdown of compounds in the root when it’s cut.

Horseradish is often used as a condiment and is commonly grated and mixed with vinegar or cream to create a sauce. This sauce is traditionally served with roast beef, but it can also be used in a variety of dishes to add a kick of heat.

Harissa is a chili sauce widely used in North Africa and Middle Eastern cooking.

It is typically made from a blend of hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and a variety of spices like cumin, coriander, caraway, and mint.

Harissa can vary in heat and flavor depending on the types of peppers and the specific spice blend used.

It can be a combination of smoky, earthy, slightly sweet, and tangy flavors, with a fiery kick from the chilis.

These ingredients are ground into a smooth paste, creating a vibrant red or orange color.

This versatile condiment is used to season meats, vegetables, stews, and couscous, and can also be added to soups, sandwiches, and marinades.

A hazelnut is a small, round nut that grows within the fruit of the hazel tree. It’s encased in a smooth, hard shell, and when it is cracked open, reveals the edible kernel.

This kernel is roughly spherical, with a slightly pointed end and a brown skin that can be removed before eating.

Hazelnuts have a slightly sweet and earthy flavor. They have a crunchy texture when raw, but become creamier when roasted, which also intensifies their taste.

They are widely used in various culinary applications, from being a key ingredient in chocolates and spreads (like Nutella) to being used in baking, cooking, and as a garnish in many dishes.

People also enjoy them as a stand-alone snack, either raw or roasted.

Honey is a sweet, viscous liquid produced by bees from the nectar of flowers. Its color and flavor vary depending on the nectar source, ranging from light and mild to dark and robust.

This natural sweetener is known for its distinct taste and is used in various culinary applications, from baking to beverages.

Additionally, honey is celebrated for its medicinal properties, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Halibut is a large, flat fish found in the cold waters of the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans.

Known for its mild, sweet flavor and firm, white flesh, halibut is a popular choice in seafood cuisine.

It’s a versatile fish, suitable for various cooking methods like grilling, baking, and frying.

Nutritionally, halibut is a good source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients, making it a healthy addition to many diets.

Haddock is a saltwater fish found primarily in the North Atlantic Ocean.

It is a lean, white-flesh fish, which has a slightly sweet flavor and a delicate texture.

Haddock is often used in traditional fish and chips. People can use it for making baked, broiled, or fried dishes.

This fish is a good source of low-fat protein and contains various vitamins and minerals.

Herring is a small, oily fish found mainly in the temperate waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans.

Known for its rich, savory flavor, herring is commonly eaten smoked, pickled, or salted.

It is very popular in many European cuisines.

Regarding its appearance, herring has a silvery color with a distinctive bluish or greenish back.

Hake is a lean, white fish, part of the cod family.

The fish features a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a soft texture that firms up when cooked.

Hake is versatile in cooking recipes, suitable for baking, frying, grilling, or in stews.

Honeydew is a type of melon characterized by its smooth, pale green skin and sweet, juicy, light green flesh.

It has a subtle, mildly sweet taste with a soft yet firm texture. Overall, it’s a refreshing fruit for summer.

Honeydew is often enjoyed in fruit salads, as a fresh snack, or in smoothies and beverages.

Hemp is a plant species belonging to the Cannabis genus. Its seeds are increasingly popular in culinary applications for their nutty flavor.

You can sprinkle these small, brown seeds on salads, blend them into smoothies, or add them to baked goods for a crunchy texture.

These seeds are a boost of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber.

Furthermore, hemp oil, extracted from the seeds, is also used in cooking for its earthy taste, ideal for dressings and sauces.

Herbes de Provence is a herb blend originating from the Provence region in southeast France.

It is typically a mix of dried herbs such as thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram, oregano, and lavender.

The exact composition can vary, with some blends including other herbs or spices.

Herbes de Provence is loved for its fragrant, slightly floral, and earthy flavor profile.

People commonly use it to season grilled foods, stews, and vegetable dishes, adding a touch of French and Mediterranean cuisines.

Hollandaise sauce is one of the five mother sauces in French cuisine. It is made from emulsified egg yolks, melted butter, and lemon juice or vinegar.

Hollandaise sauce is smooth and buttery with a mild tanginess and a subtle hint of richness from the egg yolks.

This sauce is a key component of Eggs Benedict and is also frequently served over vegetables, fish, and steaks.

Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark, and flavorful sauce commonly used in Chinese cuisine.

It’s made from a combination of soybeans, garlic, chili, and various spices, often sweetened with sugar or molasses.
This sauce has a uniquely sweet and savory taste with a hint of spice.

Hoisin sauce is widely used as a glaze for meats, a dipping sauce, and as an ingredient in stir-fries and marinades.

Habanero peppers are small, lantern-shaped chili peppers known for their extreme heat and fruity, citrus-like flavor.

They are among the hottest peppers available, measuring 100,000 to 350,000 on the Scoville heat scale.

Their heat is balanced by a subtle sweetness, making them a popular choice for those who enjoy fiery foods with a depth of flavor.

For its appearance, habañero peppers typically range from green to bright orange or red when ripe.

Hearts of palm are a tender, edible vegetable harvested from the inner core of certain palm tree species.

They resemble white asparagus in appearance, with a cylindrical shape and a creamy, ivory color.

The texture is firm but delicate, with a mildly nutty and slightly sweet flavor.

Hearts of palm is ideal for salads, dips, or as a plant-based meat substitute in vegan and vegetarian dishes.