D is for Dinner, D is for Dining and D is for so many Delicious foods. On this list, you’ll find options ranging from drinks to desserts to some dishes you may not have heard of before. It’s time to up your categories game with this list of foods that start with the letter ‘D’.
Whether you’re determined to win every trivia game or running out of suggestions for themed dinners, this list is sure to come in handy at some point. We’ve compiled 24 foods that all begin with the fourth letter of the alphabet, D.
The list covers a range of cuisines, as well as different types of foods. Keep reading to find out about some potentially new-to-you foods, as well as talk of some of your favorites.
Foods that Start with Letter D
1. Daikon
Daikon is a radish that is longer than its small red counterpart and much milder in taste. It pickles very well and is used in many Asian dishes. Oshinko is Japanese pickled daikon that’s often used in sushi recipes.
2. Dates
Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree and you’ll most often find them being sold dried. They’re beloved by many because they are naturally sweet and great to add to certain baked goods in place of refined sugar. Dates can also be stuffed with a variety of ingredients (like cheese, nuts, or chocolate) for delicious finger foods.
3. Damson
Damsons are a type of plum that are slightly smaller and more oblong than the ones you may be familiar with. They’re native to Great Britain and are used to make desserts, jams, and even gin!
4. Dandan Noodles
Dan Dan Noodles started off as Sichuan street food and eventually grew to international fame due to their tastiness. The name actually translates to “noodles carried on a pole” referring to the vendors selling them. These noodles started off as a soup dish, but became less so with time, to make it easier to eat them while walking. They’re full of umami goodness and packed with a fair bit of spice for pretty strong heat.
5. Danish
Danishes come from Denmark, although, they were actually introduced in Denmark by the Austrians. Danishes fall into the category of “Viennoiseries”, which are generally delicacies that fall somewhere between pastries and bread – most notable is the croissant. The technique to make them is called “laminating” because the layers of dough are sealed together with the butter in between them.
6. Dark Chocolate
The quintessential “healthy” dessert, dark chocolate contains more than 70% cocoa and has a ton of nutrients in it, along with the ability to curb any chocolate cravings. It’s packed with antioxidants and some studies suggest it may even help with heart health!
7. Decaf Coffee
Caffeine friends may say otherwise, but Decaf Coffee is great for coffee lovers who want to enjoy their favorite drink throughout the day. Decaf has all of the same antioxidants as normal coffee, but without the risk of an anxious coffee buzz or inability to fall asleep.
8. Deli Sandwiches
Deli Sandwiches are one of the most convenient lunch options. Perfect for school lunches, or meals on the go, there are so many options of deli meats for all different tastes. They’re also wonderful for picnics or beach days, where large groups can customize their own meals without it costing a fortune.
9. Desert Yam
Separate from the yams you might be used to, the Desert Yam (or Bush Potato) is Native to Australia. It’s a staple food for many Aboriginal people in Australia because it can be harvested year-round.
10. Deviled Eggs
You’ll often find Deviled Eggs at brunch. Eggs are first hardboiled, then halved. The yolk is removed and mixed with mayonnaise, then often piped back into place. What’s left is a beautifully creamy egg that can be topped with colorful spices for a bright presentation.
11. Diet Coke
It’s a wonder that something with no sugar or calories can taste as yummy as Diet Coke. It’s perfect for fans of fizzy drinks looking to cut back on their sugars. And now, Diet Coke comes in so many interesting flavors like Blood Orange and Blueberry Acai.
12. Dill
Dill is a wonderful herb with an almost citrusy taste to complement its grassiness. It’s probably most known for its role in Dill Pickles (and Dill Pickle Chips!) but you may be surprised by some of Dill’s other uses. It’s actually one of the key ingredients in ranch! It also goes wonderfully with cream cheese or with seafood.
13. Domino’s Pizza
Domino’s Pizza truly has the classic party pizza taste. It’s exactly the kind of pizza you think of when you think of birthday parties or surprise pizzas at the office. While pizza itself may start with ‘P’, Domino’s Pizza is definitely in a category of its own and deserves to be on this list.
14. Donut
Were Donuts the first ‘D’ food you thought of? These delicious pastries are the perfect snack any time of day. There’s a reason so many hugely popular food chains are shops devoted to them. There are just so many ways to make donuts and each one is delicious.
15. Doritos
Doritos are the kind of food you don’t mind getting dirty for. In their original form, these tortilla chips are covered with a generous dusting of cheese powder, but they also have so many flavors that are each unique and tasty in their own way.
16. Dough
Oh the things you can say about dough! It’s the basis of every pastry, but so many savory treats as well. Doughs give us pizza, bread, pasta, and dumplings too. It’s a good thing once you master making a single dough, you can start to bring those skills into other dough-based foods as well.
17. Dragon Fruit
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of fruits, but Dragon Fruit is actually a superfood and you can so easily incorporate it into your diet. Its taste is somewhere in the family of kiwis and pears and it can be enjoyed in fruit salads, smoothies, or just on its own.
18. Dragon Drink
Dragon Drink originated at Starbucks before becoming wildly popular amongst internet foodies. Dragon Fruit is mixed with coconut milk for a creamy, tropical tasting drink that’s super refreshing and an adorable shade of pink.
19. Dreamsicles
While at one point it was just a trademarked name, Dreamsicle became so hugely popular, it’s now recognized as its own flavor. Dreamsicle bars cover creamy vanilla ice milk with an orange sherbet coating. These days, the name is often used as a flavor title for anything that combines orange and cream.
20. Drumstick
If you’re trying to win a trivia game, is it against the rules to use “Drumstick” twice? The name can either refer to the ready-made ice cream cones you can keep stored in your freezer or the most sought-after piece in a bucket of wings. You can’t go wrong with either option, but two is definitely better than one in this scenario.
21. Duck
It’s interesting that while ducks are often associated with chickens as animals, Duck is actually classified as red meat and is much fattier than chicken. It’s often considered high-end dining and is a delicacy in many cultures. This is likely just because ducks don’t grow as fast as chickens and therefore take longer to farm.
22. Dump Cake
Dump Cake is one of the easiest desserts you can make. You simply “dump” the ingredients in a baking dish and pop it in the oven. You can really get creative with flavor combinations, but the format is simple. Grease a baking dish, then line the bottom with fruits. Sprinkle the cake mix of your choosing on top, pour on melted butter and don’t even mix before baking!
23. Dumpling
It seems just about every culture has their own version of the dumpling and each and every one is delicious. A protein is wrapped in dough then boiled, steamed or pan-fried. Dumplings are such a fun way to try a bunch of different flavors in a meal. But they’re also easy finger foods that make great appetizers!
24. Durian Fruit
If you’re not familiar with Durian, depending on who you ask, you may be lucky. This fruit grows in Southeast Asia, where it is banned from many public places because its smell is so unbelievably pungent. The fruit itself is fairly sweet and creamy. It tastes much different than it smells. It’s intriguing when you spot it at a grocery store due to its spiky shell, but if you’ve never tried it, consider yourself warned that opening it up is a little different than peeling other fruits.
Summary
As you can tell, there are definitely plenty of delicious ‘D’ dishes. Drop a comment below with what you consider to be your favorite ‘D’ food. Did it make it to the list?
Foods By the Alphabet
Editor note: Originally published March 18, 2021 and updated April 7, 2021.
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