The letter ‘R’ – always invokes curiosity. And our list of Foods that Start with R including fruits, vegetables, breakfast foods and more will surely do the same for you! More importantly, it will get your taste buds tingling, and your stomach roaring for more!!

From Ramen to Rock Fish, and have you heard of Roux?  We’ll give you the lowdown on popular foods beginning with letter ‘R’ below – happy ‘R’eading!

Foods that Start with Letter R

1. Radish

Radishes offer a crisp and crunchy bite with a mild to spicy peppery flavor, often said to require an acquired taste. They are chalked full of vitamin c, riboflavin and potassium. One of the best ways to eat a radish if eating them solo isn’t your thing, is to cut them up and put them in a nice potato salad, macaroni salad or even brighten up your green salad with some.

2. Raisins

Did you know that raisins are essentially dried-up grapes? Don’t let that steer you though, raisins often have a bit of a different flavor than grapes. Due to the drying process, raisins have more concentrated sugar content, providing a sweeter taste.

3. Ramen

Originally imported from Japan, ramen is essentially a noodle soup dish that typically contains chicken or beef broth. Ramen is becoming increasingly popular worldwide through Japanese restaurants and even prepackaged options. To make it a whole meal, it is often topped with meats and eggs, however ramen can be consumed simply with the broth and noodles.

4. Ranch

Made from buttermilk, onions, garlic, salt, herbs, spices mixed into mayo or an oil emulsion, ranch dressing is one of the most popular dressings in the states with over 40 % of Americans noting this as their favorite salad dressing. Be careful though, ranch dressing is loaded with saturated fats and sodium, so if you’re looking to lose weight you might want to opt for a lighter dressing option.

5. Raspberries

Rich in both color and taste, raspberries are a great source of Vitamin-C and Vitamin K! Not only are they good for your immune system and your heart but did you know that raspberries are not a single berry but are actually a cluster of 100 tiny fruits?

6. Ravioli

A piece of pasta that envelops a filling that usually consists of cheese, meat or even vegetables- ravioli is a classic Italian dish. Homemade or premade, all you have to do is grab your favorite pasta sauce and you will be on your way to a warm and comforting dish.

7. Red Cabbage

Looking to keep your digestive system healthy and your bones healthy? Red cabbage is your answer. High in Vitamin K and fiber, it is a vegetable that should be in everyone’s diet. If you consume it raw, you will experience a peppery taste however if you cook it, cabbage develops a sweeter taste with red cabbage having a bit of an earthy taste.

8. Relish

If you have been to a BBQ or family gathering, one of the popular condiments to make an appearance is relish. Made from cucumbers, onions, vinegar and sugar, relish is a delectable condiment for your hotdogs and burgers, whether it is made from scratch or store-bought.

9. Reuben Sandwich

Corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing all squeezed between two pieces of toasted rye bread, does that make your mouth water? I bet it does! A Reuben sandwich is a classic sandwich served at your favorite fast-food restaurants and sit-down restaurants, that never disappoints.

10. Rhubarb

Often used in pie, jam, muffins or crips, rhubarb can create a variety of delicious dishes that will never disappoint. Commonly seen as a plant, rhubarb is a vegetable that is more commonly known for its tart-flavored pinkish green stalks.

11. Rice

A cereal grain that is a staple to any and every household dish worldwide, rice is a versatile dish that can be made with prepackaged options or fresh. If you’re looking for the healthiest option, basmati rice is the perfect choice as it has the most vitamins and minerals and least amount of arsenic.

12. Rice Pudding

Rice, water and milk is all you need to make this dish-and maybe an acquired taste. Rice pudding is a very bland dish that is commonly served with dinners. However, it is becoming a more popular dessert with fruits, vanilla, cinnamon or sugars being added to give it more of a sweet taste.

13. Ribs

A cut of meat from lambs, beef, or pork, ribs are a go to fingerlicking finger food. One of the most popular ways to consume ribs is to slather one of your favorite rubs or sauces on them and throw them on the bbq. You and your guests will love the smell and taste of that smokey flavored meat fresh off the grill.

14. Ricotta

Most widely used in Italian dishes such as lasagna, cannelloni and ravioli, ricotta cheese is also one of the most underrated spreadable cheese. It is smooth, grainy and has a bit of a sweeter taste, ricotta cheese is a must-have in any type of pasta dish!

15. Risotto

Another rice dish, risotto is an Italian dish that is made from cooking the broth until it reaches a creamy consistency. This dish is easily made from rice, parmesan, butter and fresh parsley. If you’re wondering if your risotto is creamy enough or not, just tilt your dinner plate slightly-if it runs then it simply isn’t creamy enough.

16. Roast

A dish that serves up the entire family while providing them with a warm and comforting feeling, the roast is the perfect dish to serve up any night of the week! However, most people will place that pot roast in the slow cooker for a great Sunday evening meal. Whatever night you choose, make sure you add in some potatoes and carrots to make this meal complete.

17. Rockfish

Perch is one of the lightest, my popular, fish dishes out there. And Rock Fish is just that – Pacific Ocean Perch. Also known as Rose Fish, Red Bream or Red Perch.

Cook your Rockfish the way you like it, and add your favorite spice and garnish, and you will be rockin!

18. Romaine Lettuce

Often said to be one of the healthier forms of lettuce, Romaine lettuce is low in fiber but high in calcium, magnesium and potassium. It is often used as the salad green for caesar salads and most widely used in Middle Eastern cuisines.

19. Rosemary

This herb is part of the mint family, and native to the Mediterranean. Rosemary is often used in stuffings and roasted meats. It can also be used as a topping for food, and for its health benefits.

Herbal Tea can also be made from Rosemary leaves.

20. Rose Apple

A sweet taste can be experienced when you bite into a rose apple, but often said to also have a rose or floral taste as well. These apples grow in the East Indies and Malaya and are also known as Java apples. The seeds and leaves are used for treating asthma and fevers, where consuming the whole apple is said to improve brain health and increase cognitive abilities.

21. Roux

Alright raise your hand now if you have either heard of Roux, or know what it is? Didn’t think so!  Roux is essentially flour and fat cooked together to make sauces thicker. You can think of your everyday sauces and gravies, but Roux is also used in and for a lot of pastries.

22. Rum

A liquor made from sugarcane juices and molasses.

White or dark, most rums are produced in the Caribbean, and can be consumed on the rocks or with your favorite pop or juice.

Summary

We hope you’re feeling ‘R’elaxed and are ‘R’eady to be ‘R’elished with all these foods and drinks that begin with R’ – hopefully you’ll have some ‘R’oom left for our next food feature!

Foods By the Alphabet

Foods that start with A	Foods that start with B
Foods that start with C	Foods that start with D
Foods that start with E	Foods that start with F
Foods that start with G	Foods that start with H
Foods that start with I	Foods that start with J
Foods that start with K	Foods that start with L
Foods that start with M	Foods that start with N
Foods that start with O	Foods that start with P
Foods that start with Q	Foods that start with R (here)
Foods that start with S	Foods that start with T
Foods that start with U	Foods that start with V
Foods that start with W	Foods that start with X
Foods that start with Y	Foods that start with Z

Editor note: Originally published Feb 17, 2021 and updated April 11, 2021.