36 Foods That Start With B | Fun Foods from A to Z
When you live with picky eaters – whether they are your children, your spouse, or maybe even yourself – you have to get creative with how you introduce different foods into your meals. Eating a variety of foods can be fun when you turn it into a game. We decided to try a new food from A to Z, and created this list of foods to have options to choose from. Here is our list of foods that start with B, including fruits, vegetables, and other fun things to eat!
Why eat foods from every letter of the alphabet?
When you step outside of your food comfort zone, you have the opportunity to discover a new food that you never knew you could enjoy. There are so many foods that we haven’t tried, for various reasons – because our parents never cooked them, they weren’t available in our area, they are popular foods in different cultures, or just because we didn’t know they existed!
Trying different foods, especially fruits and vegetables, can provide our bodies with a variety of nutrients that we wouldn’t normally have. It can also get us out of the “what’s for dinner” rut when we get bored of eating the same old things over and over again.
These food lists are also great when teaching the alphabet, or when looking for a fun food for show and tell day at school!
If you’re looking for a little flavor in the kitchen, or a way to spice up your life, try one – or all! – of these foods that start with the letter B.
Vegetables that start with B
Bamboo Shoots
Bamboo shoots are used very commonly in Asian cuisine. They are typically peeled before eating due to their woody exterior skin. These shoots can be eaten fresh or cooked. Some people prefer to pickle them.
Bean Sprouts
Bean sprouts are perfect for adding a little bit of extra texture to your salad or soup, or fry them up and use them in place of fried noodles. They have almost no calories or carbs and contain no fat! However they are packed with Vitamin C!
Beets
This low calorie, highly nutritional vegetable is used in many dishes all over the world! Not only are they healthy, containing almost every vitamin and mineral that you need, but they are delicious.
Try slicing them and placing them on a baking dish and drizzle with oil. Cook on 375 for 35-40 minutes and then enjoy with some feta cheese crumbles!
Bell Peppers
Yum, yum, yum!! I love bell peppers! I eat them raw, especially when I am prepping a meal before cooking. My husband always comes by and snatches a big chunk when I’m slicing them up.
I add bell peppers to so many foods. I sauté bell peppers and onions to add into omelets, chili, spaghetti. We like to put them in skewered paired with meat and mushrooms.
One of my favorite recipes is stuffed bell peppers. Add some ground beef, or sausage inside the bowl shaped pepper, add onions, cheese and taco seasoning, and bake. Delish!
Black Beans
Black Beans are one of the top three most consumed legumes in the world. These rich beans are native to Mexico and Central America, but they have been cultivated for centuries all over South America too.
They provide a great source of fiber as well as significant amounts of antioxidants that help protect cells against free radicals which can lead to cancer and heart disease.
Black beans also make up approximately 20% of one’s daily iron intake because it is rich in both soluble and insoluble fibers, such as hemicellulose and pectin.
Black-Eyed Peas
A Southern favorite! They are a great source of protein. These yummy beans are great when paired with any style of greens and cornbread, or just serve them over rice with fried or baked chicken.
Bok Choy
Bok choy is a Chinese cabbage that looks similar in shape to romaine lettuce but has a similar taste to spinach. This vegetable is full of antioxidants and very low in cholesterol. Bok choy is frequently used when making stir fry.
Broad Beans
Also known as Fava beans, are grown all over the world. They are easy to cultivate and even easier to cook. These beans can be cooked, as is, in their pods. No shelling, no mess (unless you want them to taste even better!)
If you put in the extra effort to remove them from their pods and then cook them, you are surely to want to try them again and again.
Broccoli
My kids favorite vegetable, the “baby trees”. They get so excited when we buy broccoli. They love dipping it in ranch for an afternoon snack, or smothered in cheese at dinner time. You can even make a delicious casserole for a holiday get together.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a type of plant that is grown in the wild.
Brussels sprouts belong to the Brassica family and also includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale – all which have been consumed for over 2000 years!
It’s important not to overcook Brussels sprouts because this will cause them to become bitter tasting; something many people do not enjoy about these vegetables.
The most popular way they’re served up is by roasting them until they’ve turned into tender little pieces with a lightly crunchy texture on the edges. Add some bacon crumbles too – delicious!
By the way… this is my favorite Brussels sprouts recipe.
Butternut Squash
Dessert or dinner? You tell me. Butternut squash taste similar to pumpkin and can be used in many of the same ways. So, if you want a pumpkin pie, but it’s July and there are no pumpkins at the grocery store, grab a butternut squash and use it instead. They are available year round.
Not only do these vegetables taste amazing when baked or added into other foods, they are also a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C! I’d say that is a win-win!
Fruits that start with B
Bananas
Let’s go Bananas for bananas!! These are packed with potassium and Vitamin C. If you are in a rush to get out the door in the morning, and don’t have time to fix breakfast, grab a banana. It is healthy and filling.
However, if you do have the extra time, try pairing it with some yogurt and granola, or put it in the blender with some other fruits and enjoy an ever so delicious smoothie.
Beach Plum
You can find this fruit along the Eastern Coast of the United States. These plums are much smaller than the typical plums that you think about. These are about the size of a grape and taste like a mixture of strawberry, plum and apricot, holy wow that sounds amazing!
Blackberries
Blackberries are a small fruit that grow on plants in various regions.
This type of berry contains many antioxidants which can help protect the cells that make up your body from damage caused by things like free radicals, pollution and even aging!
It’s also a great source of vitamin C as well as potassium – both nutrients you should be sure to include into your diet if they’re not already there for one reason or another.
Black Cherry
Black cherry has been used for many different situations. Not only for health benefits, but the timber from the tree has also been used to make furniture. Nothing goes to waste with this plant.
Unlike the sweet cherries, most people choose not to eat this fruit raw. More often, it is made into a juice to provide the nutrients that your body needs.
Blood Orange
This beautiful fruit is filled with Vitamin C. The inside isn’t orange, like an orange, the pulp is more of a maroon color and provides a less tangy flavor. Enjoy this fruit by itself or pair it with any melon or berries for a refreshing snack.
Blueberries
Blueberries are also known as an antioxidant superfood – doesn’t that sound enticing? Low carb, low fat, high amount of potassium and vitamin C. These tiny blue mouth bombs are amazing! Great for individual snacking, great for baking cakes or pies, and a wonderful additive to any fruit smoothie.
Other foods that start with B
Baba Ganoush
This one is fun to say, baba ganoush. This is similar to hummus, however, this is made with eggplant instead of chickpea, making this a lower calorie choice. You would serve this the same as hummus, with raw veggies or pita bread.
Bacon
Breakfast? Brunch? Lunchtime treat?! It doesn’t matter what time it is because there are always hungry mouths waiting for this tasty dish regardless of their appetite level.
Bacon is a type of salt-cured pork and one of the most popular breakfast meats. If you have a dish and are stuck on how to add flavor, when in doubt, add bacon. Brussels sprouts too bland? Add bacon. Flavorless burger? Add bacon. Colder weather ahead and you want some chowder or potato soup? You better add some bacon.
Balsamic Vinegar
This vinegar originated from Italy and I love it! It is actually made from freshly crushed grapes, can you believe that? It has a sweetish tangy flavor and is great for a salad dressing or to use as a marinade. I personally love to drizzle a bit of oil on it and dip a toasted bun in it. Yum!
Banana Bread
Oh how I love banana bread! It’s sweet, it’s nutty, it’s dense (the reason it is called bread and not cake). What’s not to love about that? This dish is perfect paired with a big cup of cold milk.
Baklava
This tasty treat is made up of layers of filo dough filled with honey-sweetened nuts and flavored syrup (typically orange blossom).
Baklava originates from Turkey but has been popular in Greece since Ottoman times – that’s over 600 years ago!
In Turkey, baklava is most typically filled with pistachios and walnuts while it can be made up of hazelnuts in Greece.
Nowadays baklava is enjoyed all around the world by people who love sweets.
Basmati Rice
Basmati rice is a type of long-grain aromatic rice that originates from India.
It’s the perfect choice for those who enjoy their dishes with some texture, and it goes well with just about anything you can think of!
Some people even use this to make risotto – an Italian dish which typically includes Arborio or Carnaroli white wheat along with other ingredients like fish stock, vegetables and cheese. The result? A creamy dish that everyone enjoys eating!
The best way to cook Basmati Rice is by first rinsing it thoroughly in cold water before cooking them on high heat until they are done; around 20 minutes should be enough time required. Is your mouth watering yet? We hope so!
Bean Curd
If you’ve never had bean curd before, it is the common name for a tofu product.
Bean curds are made by coagulating soy milk and pressing it into blocks of solid protein.
Soybeans contain all eight essential amino acids which make them an excellent source of complete protein that can be enjoyed in many different ways; from as a meat substitute to being eaten raw or cooked with other ingredients such as vegetables, rice noodles, or kimchi!
Bean curd products have also long maintained popularity in Chinese cuisine where they are served hot on top of warm dishes like steamed rice or noodles.
Beef Stew
This dish is typically made up of meat that has been stewed with various vegetables.
It’s a popular dish to make in colder weather because it can be cooked all day on the stovetop, and then heated up again if needed; making it convenient for those who don’t have much time to cook during the week but want home-cooked food!
Beef Stew always tastes best when served over rice or potatoes – as this will help thicken any liquid left behind from cooking too long.
Beef Stroganoff
Originating from Russia in the 1800s, this is an easy and yummy dish. Beef tips, noodles and gravy. I personally like to add mushrooms and onions to enhance the flavors a bit. Overall this is a hearty and filling meal.
Beef Wellington
The fancy pig in a blanket, or should I say “Cow in a blanket”. In this recipe, you use a steak filet that has been coated with a gravy, and then covered with a puff pastry and baked. It is paired nicely with vegetables or a potato side dish.
Beetroot
Beetroots are not only a delicious vegetable, but they also contain significant amounts of vitamin C and beta-carotene – an antioxidant.
This deep red root vegetable is most commonly eaten boiled or pickled as well as in salads to provide some crunchy texture!
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese (or bleu cheese) provides a significant source of calcium. This cheese has a very distinct smell and is commonly used as a crumble topping for salad. Another use of this cheese is melting it down and making it into a delicious dip that can be used for a variety of dishes.
Boston Cream Pie
This dessert is actually not a pie, it is a 2 layered cake with a custard filling, topped with rich chocolate icing. Boston Creme Pie was first created by a French chef at Boston’s Omni Parker House back in 1881.
Brazil Nuts
The Brazil nut tree is one of the largest and longest living trees from the Amazon Rainforest! That is breathtaking! The nuts that come from this tree are large and provide a great source of monounsaturated fat, which is the healthy fat.
These nuts are great for snacking or can also be chopped up and added into cakes, pies, cookies, or even mashed into a yummy butter.
Breadsticks
Breadsticks are a type of food that is shaped like the letter ‘U’ and comes in various colors.
They’re typically crusty on one side while soft to the touch on the other; which makes them perfect for dipping into any number of sauces, soups or toppings you may have sitting around your kitchen at home!
You can also try using breadsticks as a topping for salads if you feel so inclined – it’s an easy way to add some crunchiness without having to do much work yourself.
Whether they come prepackaged from stores or made fresh by hand with just a few ingredients, these breadsticks will be something everyone enjoys eating time and time again!
Brown Rice
Brown rice is actually a very healthy form of rice. It is rich in dietary fiber and also promotes a healthy heart. Compared to white rice, brown rice contains 43% more protein. You can substitute white rice with brown rice for any dish. The main difference in cooking is that you will need to cook the brown rice a little longer.
Buckwheat Flour
A healthier choice when compared to regular flour, being that buckwheat flour contains four times as much fiber. This isn’t a rising flour, however, it is great when used for making pancakes or biscuits.
Buffalo Wings
Can we just agree to say YUM! My go-to when I want a healthy and easy dinner (or snack), and can we all say “Thank You” to the inventor of the air fryer. I LOVE buffalo wings, so many flavors!!! And let me tell you, when you find out how easy it is to make them, you will be over the moon with how much money you save!
No more $0.50 wing night excitement, because you can make about 50 wings for $15.00. Yes! So grab you some extra napkins and your favorite dipping sauce and get to air frying!
Butterscotch Brownies
Brownies are a type of cake that is usually made with sugar, flour and either cocoa powder or chocolate.
This delicious food can be served at any time!
It’s the perfect sweet treat to serve guests in your home since they’re easy to make and go well as a dessert after dinner!
Butterscotch brownies often have extra butter added into them along with butterscotch chips which create an irresistible taste combination for those who enjoy their sweets on the sweeter side.
Which “B” food is your favorite?
Do you have a favorite food that starts with B that isn’t on our list? Or even a favorite recipe? We’d love to hear about it, so leave us a comment below!
