Foods That Start With W

A culinary journey can wander down many pathways. You could explore cuisines by geographic region. You can also impose vegetarian or pescatarian restrictions to get creative. Of course, there is nothing wrong with going old school for your culinary exploration. That would mean using your ABCs for meal planning. In this article, you’ll learn about the wide variety of foods that start with W. 

Dishes That Start With W

Photo showing a list of dishes that start with W.

This might seem like the perfect idea for a segment on “Sesame Street.” However, when you dive into all the possibilities, you’ll find there are some tasty dishes that start with W that could be the star of your next dinner.

  • Waldorf Salad: The Waldorf Salad gets its name from the hotel where it was created over a hundred years ago. It’s a bright, crunchy fruit salad with apples, celery, walnuts, and grapes. It’s tossed with mayonnaise dressing, perfect for an appetizer or light lunch.
  • Wiener Schnitzel: You don’t have to wait for Octoberfest to enjoy this German classic. Despite the name, this isn’t a hot dog dish. Wiener Schnitzel translates to “Veinesse culet” in German. The “schnitzel” is how it’s prepared – thin cutlet, breaded, and fried. Simple and delicious.
  • Walnut Pesto Pasta: Are you tired of plain spaghetti with red sauce? Then you’re ready for Walnut Pesto Pasta. Traditional pesto involves mashing up pine nuts. For this dish, you’ll swap out the pine for walnuts. It works best with thick noodles for the pesto to glom onto.
  • Whole Roasted Chicken: Like your Thanksgiving turkey, you can cook your whole chicken with various rubs and seasonings. The key is ABB. Always Be Basting.
  • Welsh Rarebit: Don’t let the title of this W dish fool you. No rabbit will be used in the making of Welsh Rarebit. Instead, it is a savory treat with a special cheese sauce melted over thick pieces of bread. No, it’s not a melted cheese sandwich. It’s Welsh Rarebit. Totally different.
  • Wonton: The wonton might be the most versatile W dish on the list. They are a type of Chinese dumplings that you can steam or fry. You can stuff it with pork, shrimp, veggies, or chicken. You can even drop them into soup. Take that chicken noodle!
  • Waffle Fries: Although technically not a complete meal, waffle fries take the concept of a French fry to another level. Because you deploy the same lattice cut of a waffle, these fries come out of the fryer or oven extra crispy. Chili and cheese toppings are optional.
  • Wagyu Beef Steak: What makes Wagyu distinct is the marbling – the delicious fat running all through the steak. It’s a bit more pricey but worth every penny.
  • Wild Mushroom Risotto: We can all agree when it comes to mushrooms; the wilder, the better. When added to a classic risotto recipe, wild mushrooms take the dish to a whole other level.
  • Walnut-Rosemary Crusted Salmon: Both walnuts and salmon provide “good” cholesterol (omega-3 fatty acids) for your system. The idea that you can combine them both into a single dish is the ultimate “chef’s kiss.”

Fruits That Start With W

Photo showing a list of fruits that start with W.

If you were on a quiz show with the category of “fruits that start with W,” your only answer would be “watermelon.” But there are more exciting fruits that start with W. Here are fruits that begin with W: 

  • Wolfberry (Goji Berry) 
  • Winter Squash
  • Wax Apple
  • Watermelon
  • Wild Strawberries
  • Wintermelon
  • Wild Berries
  • White Currants
  • White Sapote
  • White Mulberry
  • White Cherimoya
  • Wampee
  • White Peach
  • White Grapefruit
  • White Nectarine
  • White Raspberries
  • White Guava
  • White Mango
  • Wild plum
  • Wild Huckleberry

Fun Fact: Winter squash is technically a fruit, but in culinary, it is used like a vegetable, offering a nutty flavor to dishes!

Vegetables That Start With W

photo showing a list of vegetables that start with W.

Nothing beats being able to pick your salad for dinner. Plus, vegetables that begin with W create an exciting texture when paired with your choice of protein. They are also filled with vitamins and minerals. Some are even a staple food in many cultures, like the wakame, an edible seaweed. 

  • Watercress
  • White Cabbage
  • Wakame
  • White Radish
  • Water Spinach
  • Winged Beans
  • White Asparagus
  • Wheatgrass
  • Wild Garlic (ramps)
  • Watercress Sprouts
  • Wild Mushrooms

Soups, Herbs, and Condiments That Start With W

Photo showing a list of soups, herbs, and condiments that start with W

Your journey through the wonderful foods that start with W can extend beyond the main dishes, fruits, and veggies. There are also W soups, spices, herbs, and condiments to consider. If you’re going to serve sushi with wasabi (Japanese horseradish), word of warning: don’t get it on your fingers! 

  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • White Sauce
  • Wasabi
  • White Miso Paste
  • White Pepper
  • Wild Thyme
  • Wonton Soup
  • Wasabi Powder
  • Wild Rice Soup
  • White Bean Soup
  • Wheatberry Soup

Fun Fact: Worcestershire sauce is mixed with different seasonings, including molasses, tamarind, anchovies, garlic, salt, and onion, to achieve its distinct flavor. White sauce is a mix of flour, butter, and cream! 

Drinks That Start With W

Photo showing a list of drinks that start with W

You can’t call a great meal complete unless you have something delectable to wash it down with. These drinks that start with W are the perfect thirst quencher for foods that start with W. Are you picking up on the theme?

  • Whiskey Sour
  • Water
  • White Russian
  • Wassail
  • Wheatgrass Juice
  • Wildberry smoothie
  • Whipped cream vodka
  • Whiskey Highball
  • Watermelon Margarita

Desserts That Start With W

Photo showing a list of desserts that start with W.

Have you ever regretted refusing dessert because you were too full? The first rule is that there is always room for dessert! These desserts are the perfect finish to foods that start with W.

  • Walnut Pie
  • Waffle
  • Waffle Cone
  • Watermelon Sorbet
  • White Chocolate
  • White Chocolate Mousse
  • White Chocolate Truffles
  • Whipped Cream
  • Walnut Roll
  • Wafers and Cream
  • Whiskey Bread Pudding
  • Whoopie Pie

Full List of Foods That Begin With the Letter W

  • Waffle
  • Waffle Cone
  • Waffle Fries
  • Wagyu beef steak
  • Wakame
  • Waldorf Salad
  • Walla Walla Onions
  • Walnut Cake 
  • Walnut Pesto Pasta
  • Walnut Pie
  • Walnut-Rosemary Crusted Salmon
  • Wasabi
  • Wassail
  • Water
  • Water Spinach 
  • Watercress
  • Watermelon
  • Watermelon Sorbet
  • Wax Apple
  • Weetabix (breakfast cereal)
  • Welsh rarebit
  • Wheat Bran
  • Wheat Flour
  • Wheaties 
  • Wheatgrass Juice
  • Whipped Cream 
  • Whiskey Sour
  • White Asparagus 
  • White Beech Mushrooms
  • White Cabbage
  • White Chocolate
  • White Chocolate Mousse
  • White Miso Paste
  • White Pepper
  • White Radish
  • White Rice 
  • White Russian
  • White Sauce
  • White Turnip 
  • Whole roasted chicken
  • Wiener Schnitzel
  • Wild mushroom risotto
  • Wild Rice
  • Wild Strawberries
  • Williams Pear 
  • Winged Beans
  • Winter Melon 
  • Winter Squash
  • Witlof 
  • Wolfberries 
  • Wonton
  • Wonton Soup

1 COMMENT

  1. This list blew me away. I was expecting a dozen entries. Then again, several are variations on walnute – not surprising, given how versatile an ingredient it is.

    Strangely, you missed waffles, although you include waffle fries.