Looking for 24 Foods That Starts with X? This guide has 24 unique dishes, fruits, drinks, and ingredients from around the world.
Some are traditional recipes with ingredients and steps, while others are fruits or sauces with notes on how to enjoy them.
1. Xacuti (Goan Curry)
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken or lamb
- 1 cup grated coconut
- 2 onions, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Fry onions in oil until golden.
- Roast coconut and grind with spices.
- Add tomatoes and fry.
- Add meat, coat well, and cook with water.
- Simmer until tender.
2. Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)
Ingredients
- Dumpling wrappers
- 200g ground pork
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 cup gelatin broth cubes
Instructions
- Mix pork, soy, sesame oil, and ginger.
- Add gelatin broth cubes.
- Wrap filling in dumpling skins.
- Steam for 8–10 minutes.
- Serve hot with vinegar soy dip.
3. Xigua (Watermelon)
How to Enjoy
- Eat chilled slices.
- Blend into juice.
- Make watermelon salad with feta and mint.
4. Xnipec (Spicy Salsa)
Ingredients
- 2 habanero peppers
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- Salt
Instructions
- Chop tomatoes, onion, and habaneros.
- Mix with lime juice and salt.
- Chill before serving.
5. Xoconostle (Sour Cactus Fruit)
How to Use
- Dice into salsas.
- Cook in stews.
- Blend in smoothies.
6. Xouba (Spanish Sardines)
How to Cook
- Grill with olive oil and garlic.
- Or fry and serve with bread.
7. Xocolatl (Aztec Chocolate Drink)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Mix cocoa, cinnamon, chili with hot water.
- Sweeten with honey.
- Drink warm.
8. Xinomavro Grapes (Greek Wine Grapes)
How to Enjoy
- Used in Greek red wine.
- Pair with cheese and roasted meats.
9. Xavier Soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix ricotta, egg, flour.
- Shape dumplings.
- Cook in boiling broth until they float.
- Serve with Parmesan.
10. Xavier Steak
Ingredients
- 2 steaks
- 6 asparagus spears
- 2 slices Swiss cheese
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Grill steaks.
- Steam asparagus.
- Top steak with asparagus and cheese.
- Broil until cheese melts.
11. Xanthan Gum
Use in Recipes
- Add ½ tsp to sauces to thicken.
- Use in gluten-free bread for texture.
12. Xalapa Punch
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark rum
- 1 cup brandy
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups hot water
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Mix rum, brandy, wine, and water.
- Add sugar and cinnamon.
- Warm gently, don’t boil.
- Serve with lemon slices.
13. Xiphias (Swordfish)
How to Cook
- Grill swordfish steaks with olive oil and lemon.
- Pan-sear with garlic and herbs.
14. Xeres (Sherry Wine)
How to Enjoy
- Sip as dessert wine.
- Use in cooking sauces and stews.
15. Xouba Tapa (Spanish Appetizer)
Ingredients
- Xouba sardines
- Olive oil
- Crusty bread
- Garlic
Instructions
- Grill sardines with garlic and oil.
- Place on bread slices.
- Serve as tapas.
16. Xocolatl Tamales (Chocolate Tamales)
Ingredients
- 2 cups masa harina
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup butter
- Corn husks soaked
Instructions
- Mix masa, cocoa, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Beat butter until fluffy and mix in.
- Spread mixture on corn husks.
- Fold and steam for 40 minutes.
17. Xanthia Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz cherry brandy
- 1 oz yellow chartreuse
Instructions
- Shake with ice.
- Strain into a cocktail glass.
- Serve chilled.
18. Xidoufen (Pea Soup from China)
Ingredients
- 1 cup pea flour
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp chili oil
- Salt
Instructions
- Mix pea flour with water.
- Boil until thickened.
- Add garlic, ginger, chili oil.
- Serve hot.
19. Ximenia Fruit (Wild Plum)
How to Use
- Eat raw when ripe.
- Make into jams or jellies.
- Press seeds for oil.
20. Xacuti Prawns
Ingredients
- 2 cups prawns
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt
Instructions
- Fry onions in oil.
- Add curry powder.
- Stir in prawns and coconut milk.
- Simmer until prawns are cooked.
21. Xidoufen Noodles (Variation)
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice noodles
- 2 cups xidoufen soup (see above)
- Chili oil
Instructions
- Cook noodles.
- Pour xidoufen soup over noodles.
- Drizzle with chili oil.
22. Xi Gua Lao (Chinese Jelly Dessert)
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon juice
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp agar-agar
Instructions
- Boil watermelon juice with sugar and agar.
- Pour into molds.
- Chill until set.
23. Xylitol (Sugar Substitute)
How to Use
- Use as sugar substitute in baking.
- Sweetens drinks with fewer calories.
24. Xampinyons (Catalan Mushrooms)
Ingredients
- 2 cups mushrooms
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- Salt and parsley
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Add garlic and mushrooms.
- Cook until soft.
- Sprinkle with parsley.
Conclusion
Finding foods that begin with the letter X is not easy, but as you can see, there are plenty of unique and interesting options. From Xacuti curry of India to Xiaolongbao dumplings of China, and from exotic fruits like Xigua to festive treats like Xmas cookies, each food has its own story and flavor.
Exploring these foods gives us a taste of different cultures and traditions. Some are everyday ingredients like xylitol or xanthan gum, while others are special dishes you might try during travels or celebrations.
So, the next time you play a food alphabet game or look for something unusual to cook, remember these amazing foods that start with X. They show us how diverse and exciting the world of food really is.
Sara Collins is a food blogger at TastyDive. She shares simple and family-friendly recipes made with everyday ingredients. Her mission is to help home cooks enjoy tasty meals without stress.
