Foods That Start With G

🍉 Fruits And Vegetables: Foods That Start With G

1. Garbanzo Beans

Garbanzo beans (commonly referred to as chickpeas) are a protein-packed, versatile superfood. This legume is gluten-free, rich in fiber, low-fat, and contains many important vitamins and minerals.

Many vegetarian dishes choose garbanzo beans as the substitute protein for beef. They have a nutty flavor and can be enjoyed roasted as a healthier alternative to chips, in soups, or added to pasta or rice dishes.

Of course, garbanzo beans are the star of the incredibly popular dip, Hummus.

2. Garlic

Technically, garlic is considered a vegetable and belongs to the onion family, next to leeks, shallots, and chives. However, in the culinary world, garlic is treated much more like an herb or a spice. This is because garlic has such an intense flavor that it isn't ever really eaten by itself or in large quantities like other vegetables.

It can be crushed, pureed, minced, peeled, or left whole before being cooked. It is used in relatively small amounts due to its bold flavor.

3. Ghost Peppers

If you're someone who loves all things spicy (like, insanely spicey), then you have to check out these ghost peppers. In 2007, ghost peppers held the record as the hottest pepper in the world with a SHU (Scoville Heat Units) of 1,041,427.

To put some perspective on that incredibly large number, this makes ghost peppers up to 400 times hotter than jalapenos (which have a SHU of about 2,500). Since 2007, ghost peppers have lost their title as the world's hottest pepper, but they are still in the top 10.

Fun Fact: These peppers are so ridiculously spicy that the Indian government has used them to make chili grenades!

4. Goji Berries

Goji berries are a bright red fruit with a tangy flavor. They have been popular in China and other Asian countries for a long time and are considered to be a staple ingredient.

While you can eat goji berries fresh, they are easier to find (and sweeter) in the dried form. They are comparable to dried cranberries in flavor. This berry can be used (in dried form) in pretty much any way you would use raisins or other dried fruit.

Trail mix, salads, baked goods, and granola are all great ways to enjoy them.

5. Gooseberries

Gooseberries are a tart and flavorful berry that is very popular in Europe and other regions of the world. While they are native to North America, for some reason, they are not well-known or popular in the United States, even though they are delicious.

They have a similar appearance to that of a grape and taste best when cooked in sugar, making them perfect for use in pies, tarts, cobblers, crisps, buckles, pandowdies, spoon bread, and other desserts.

6. Grapes

Grapes- every kid's favorite fruit to snack on! Of course, this juicy little fruit is perfect for eating straight off the vine, but it also has a huge amount of other uses.

Grapes are used to make jelly, jam, wine, juice, raisins, smoothies, salads, parfaits, sorbets, and snack trays. You can freeze them for a fun treat as well as just eat them with some cheese. Truly, your imagination is the limit.

7. Grapefruit

This tart, citrus fruit is a hybrid between a pomelo and a Jamaican orange. It is nowhere near as sweet as an orange but has a delicious tartness that works well in sorbets and as a mixer for alcoholic drinks. Grapefruit is also great to eat raw- many people just cut it in half and scoop the flesh out with a spoon (I love to sprinkle sugar on it).

This fruit used to be part of a trendy dieting craze where people believed that it would help them to lose weight. This has since been disproven.

However, grapefruit does interfere with the way your body absorbs and metabolizes certain medications. Any medications that may react to grapefruit should state the contraindication on the label.

8. Greek Olives

The most well-known Greek olive is kalamata olives and they are known to be one of the healthiest olives in the world. This olive is large and dark brown with a meaty texture and has a fruity, rich, and sharp flavor.

Kalamata olives are considered table olives, meaning they are meant to be eaten and not used for olive oil. They pair well with feta cheese as well as capers. Additionally, they are commonly used for tapenade or salads.

9. Green Beans

Green beans are the perfect comfort food side dish. They can be sauteed, roasted, steamed, or used in a delicious dish like green bean casserole.

You can enjoy this veggie fresh, cooked, or straight from the can. It's also a staple of many Thanksgiving tables in the green bean casserole.

10. Green Onions

Green onions are a frequently used veggie in many different dishes, as both the main ingredient as well as a common garnish. If you've heard the term "scallion" before- they are the same thing.

Green onions can be eaten raw or cooked and have a sharp flavor that is very similar to typical onions. Common dishes that include green onions are stir-fry, soup, salads, pizza, salad dressings, dips, fried rice, ramen, and more.

11. Green Bell Pepper

Green bell peppers are used in a ton of different dishes and surprisingly, they are just unripe bell peppers. In comparison, they are not as sweet as red, yellow, and orange but are still very nutritious.

Bell peppers are a staple in many dishes and can be sauteed, grilled, roasted, and more.

12. Guava

Guava is a tropical fruit with a sweet flavor that tastes similar to a cross between a pear and a strawberry. The outside is light green, while the meat of the fruit is a beautiful, vibrant red.

There are multiple varieties of guava that all have slightly different flavors with varying levels of sweetness. To enjoy some fresh guava, cut the fruit the same as you would a cantaloupe.

🌿 Vegetarian Dishes: Foods That Start With G

13. Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a popular type of soup made from tomatoes, spices, and other veggies and then served cold, originating in Spain. While most soups are warm and cozy for those chilly winter evenings, this cold soup is perfect for hot summer days.

14. Gnocchi

Gnocchi is an Italian potato dumpling pasta that is made from mashed potatoes, flour, and eggs. It is the star of one of Olive Garden's famous soups, the Chicken Gnocchi soup, too.

There are a ton of different homemade gnocchi recipes (it only takes three ingredients), as well as recipes that use gnocchi as an ingredient. If you don't want to make it from scratch, it is sold in all regular grocery stores, typically on the pasta aisle.

15. Greek Salad

Greek salad, also called Horiatiki, is a traditional Greek dish that generally consists of some veggies, cheese, and olive oil. More specifically, cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, olives, feta, oregano, and olive oil.

This tasty, refreshing salad is incredibly easy to make. It's a great staple salad for summertime grilling and cookouts, too.

16. Griddle Cakes

Let's start with an important fact: griddle cakes are the same thing as pancakes. It comes down to just being a regional thing as to what term people prefer to use, whether it be pancakes, griddle cakes, flapjacks, or hotcakes.

They are a breakfast staple all around the world and consist of cooking batter on a griddle or skillet. They are eaten by themselves, topped with syrup or fruit, or paired with other dishes such as eggs or bacon.

17. Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Nothing is more nostalgic or reminiscent of your childhood than a gooey grilled cheese sandwich. In America, we call this combination of toasted bread and melty cheese a grilled cheese sandwich, but the UK refers to them as toasties.

No matter where you come from, these sandwiches are loved by everyone- both kids and adults alike.

18. Grits

Grits are a staple southern comfort food that is made from ground-up corn. They have a mild and neutral flavor that gives them the ability to easily take on other flavors, such as butter or cheese.

Their neutral flavoring allows them to be extremely versatile in how they are made or prepared. They can be eaten as-is, combined with cheese or butter, or used for recipes like shrimp and grits. Sometimes, they are even used to make baked goods like waffles.

🥩 Meat Dishes: Foods That Start With G

19. Galantine

Galentine is a classic French dish, usually poultry or fish, that has been de-boned and poached in a gelatin stock, pressed into a round or log shape, and coated with aspic. Historically, galantine was served with elaborate decorations as it was a time-intensive dish that required deboning the protein plus multiple steps to fully prepare the galantine.

20. Gammon

Gammon is meat from the back legs of a hog that is cured like bacon. It is remarkably similar to ham. They are from the same section of the pig and have the same flavor profile.

In particular, the only difference is that gammon is raw and needs to be cooked, whereas ham is already cooked.

21. Gefilte Fish

Originally, gefilte fish was a type of dish made of ground-up fish that was stuffed back into the skin and then poached. Over the years, people stopped stuffing the mixture back into the skin.

More commonly, the ground-fish mixture is formed into small balls or patties and then poached.

This dish has Jewish roots - Jews were prohibited from doing any work on the Sabbath, which included tasks such as cooking and sorting (the process of separating edible and inedible parts of food). Therefore, bones were removed in advance, and the fish was cooked ahead of time so that Jews could eat fish on the Sabbath (served cold).

22. General Tso's Chicken

General Tso's chicken is a dish that you will easily be able to find on every American-Chinese restaurant's menu. It is a sweet and spicy dish that features fried chicken that is typically served with rice.

Fun Fact: This takeout favorite is considered to be the unhealthiest Chinese food dish. It's followed closely by sesame chicken, sweet and sour, and orange chicken.

23. Giblets

Giblets refer to the heart, liver, and gizzards of chicken and turkey (as well as other poultry). They are great for making flavorful stocks as well as gravy.

They could also be used in pate or cooked, chopped, and added to your gravy or stuffing recipe on Thanksgiving.

24. Gizzards

Gizzards are part of a bird's intestinal tract and are included in the mixture of giblets that are commonly found bagged up inside turkeys or chickens. All birds have two parts to their stomachs. The first is extremely similar to how our stomach operates.

However, the second section (that humans don't have) gathers all of the hard seed, bones, or gravel that birds consume and grinds it up so it can be further digested.

This muscular organ has a tough and chewy texture with a flavor that is similar to dark chicken meat. The best way to cook gizzards is at low heat over a longer time.

25. Goat

While goats may not be as common as some other farm animals (such as cows, pigs, and chickens), it is still a great protein to try. Although it is considered exotic or game meat in America, many different countries view it as a delicacy or a staple of their diet.

First of all, this underrated red meat has a similar taste to beef but is much leaner, making it extra tender. It tastes the best when cooked slowly over a low temperature.

As a bonus, goat meat is healthier than beef. In fact, it is lower in fat and contains tons of essential vitamins.

26. Goose

Roast goose is a dish that is typically found in Chinese, Middle Eastern, and European cuisines. The way Americans utilize turkey on special holidays is very similar to how many European countries use goose.

Although goose is not as popular as other poultry like turkey or chicken, it is extremely flavorful and very nutritious. It has more flavor than chicken and has a closer resemblance to red meat.

The best, most popular way to cook goose is by roasting it. You will not regret serving up a luscious roast goose for the holidays, and save the goose fat (you can keep it in the freezer). It's liquid gold for frying potatoes!

27. Gordita

This authentic Mexican dish is a thick, flat bread made with masa that is stuffed with meats and cheeses (as well as other fillings). The bread is similar to a tortilla but is thicker and cut open on one side to be filled.

Gorditas tend to have a lot of shared similarities with arepas (from South America) and pupusas (from El Salvador). All three of them have a bread-type base that is stuffed with various fillings.

The difference is that pupusas are stuffed before being cooked, while Gorditas and arepas are stuffed after cooking. Additionally, pupusas and Gorditas are both made with soft corn masa flour, while arepas are made with grittier masarepa (a corn meal product).

28. Goulash

Goulash is a Hungarian dish that features a meat and vegetable stew that has been heavily seasoned. It is one of the national dishes of Hungary.

Of course, there is an American version of goulash that is significantly different than the traditional Hungarian kind. It includes ground beef, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni.

29. Gumbo

This Louisiana-born Southern classic features a hearty stew that is served over some warm white rice. There is not an exact ingredient list, as it's a very versatile dish and can feature a variety of different meats and kinds of seafood alongside veggies.

30. Gyro

This Greek dish is a type of sandwich that includes meat, tzatziki sauce, and veggies that have then been wrapped in a piece of pita bread. It is kind of like a Greek version of a very meaty burrito.

The meat in a gyro typically consists of beef, pork, chicken, lamb, veal, or mutton. Veggies are usually lettuce, tomato, and onion, but this can vary greatly.

🍰 Desserts: Foods That Start With G

31. Ganache

Ganache is a rich, decadent mixture of chocolate and cream that is used to make chocolate candies as well as fill or top pastries and cakes. The consistency of ganache varies depending on the ratio of cream to chocolate that was used.

Different consistencies and thicknesses are ideal for different culinary purposes, such as whether it will be poured over cake or molded into a ball.

32. Gateau

A gateau is much more elevated and sophisticated than your standard cake. In fact, this is a dessert that has a rich filling in between sweet, spongey cake layers. The decadent filling usually consists of fruit, mousse, ganache, or thick cream.

If you're wondering what the difference between a gateau and a cake is - it's not that simple to answer because they are not two separate things. Gateaus are just a subcategory or type of cake.

33. Galettes

A galette is a French pastry that is composed of puff pastry dough that has a small charm hidden inside. The center is then filled with a rich, sweet cream.

If this sounds oddly familiar to you, that's because most Americans know galettes as King Cake. It is a popular cake that is served during Mardis Gras all across the country but with an especially huge presence in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Simple fruit galettes are becoming more common in the states. There is also a Breton galette that is made of buckwheat flour that can be served with sweet toppings but is more commonly consumed with savory toppings or fillings.

34. Gelatin

Gelatin is a colorless, flavorless protein derived from animal collagen that is used to thicken and solidify liquid foods. Most popularly, gelatin is commonly associated with the well-known brand Jell-o.

In addition to Jello's popular gelatinous snack, gelatin is also used for pudding, gummy candy, panna cotta, marshmallows, and other desserts. I use it to stabilize whipped cream, for a homemade Cool Whip.

35. Gelato

You've probably seen gelato being served at some point in your life. But what is the difference between this Italian type of ice cream and just standard American ice cream?

Of course, they are both frozen, tasty treats and have a similar ingredient base. However, after that, they are quite different.

Ice cream contains more cream, whereas gelato has a greater ratio of milk and a lower percentage of butterfat. In fact, gelato is denser and richer than ice cream. Plus, ice cream is colder than gelato (and the warmer food is easier to taste).

36. Genoise

Genoise, pronounced jen·waaz, is an Italian type of sponge cake that is more complicated to make than your standard cake. It is a sponge cake that has been enhanced with butter and egg yolk. It has an airy texture that is a result of the mixing technique.

37. German Chocolate Cake

German chocolate cake is an incredibly popular cake that is layered with sweet chocolate cake and filled and topped with a coconut-pecan frosting. The specific and unique frosting is what sets this cake apart from other chocolate cakes.

Fun Fact: This cake is an American creation and has nothing to do with Germany. The man who created it simply had the last name, German. Who knew?!

38. Gingerbread

Gingerbread is a baked dessert or sweet that contains ginger and molasses (or brown sugar, honey, or corn syrup). This extremely broad definition has resulted in gingerbread becoming a much larger umbrella term that includes a range of tasty treats.

This Christmas classic is most commonly enjoyed in the form of some delicious gingerbread cookies. Additionally, many families love gathering together to build some festive gingerbread houses.

🧀 Cheeses: Foods That Start With G

39. Gervais Cheese

Gervais cheese is a French cheese that is very soft in texture with a rich flavor. It contains up to 75% milk!

Gervaise cheese has a sweet and tangy flavor. It is a type of cream cheese that is commonly served as an appetizer alongside crackers or next to fruit. It would make a great addition to a charcuterie board, too.

40. Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a blanket term that refers to any cheese that is made from goat's milk - and not one specific kind of cheese. Practically any cheese that is made from traditional cow's milk could also be made from goat's milk.

Goat cheese tends to be softer and fattier than cheese that is made from cow's milk. It also has a slightly tangier flavor.

Many people who struggle with lactose intolerance have an easier time digesting goat milk products than things that are made from cow's milk. The reason is that while both cow's and goat's milk contain almost the same amount of lactose, the fat molecules in goat's milk are smaller.

41. Gorgonzola Cheese

Gorgonzola is a blue cheese that is made from cow's milk and features a distinctive blue marbling. If you're wondering what the blue coloring is from, it's a mold called Penicillium roqueforti that is added to the milk at the beginning of the cheese-making process.

This cheese is commonly spread on crackers, used for dressings, added to pasta dishes, paired with fruits, and tossed into salads.

42. Gouda Cheese

This semi-firm cheese originates from the Netherlands and features flavors that are reminiscent of nuts and caramel. It is made from cow's milk and is one of the most popular cheeses in the entire world.

Gouda cheese is great for snacking, melting into some macaroni and cheese, adding to soups, making fondue, and making a classic grilled cheese sandwich. If you've never tasted gouda cheese before, you are certainly missing out.

43. Gruyere Cheese

Gruyere cheese is a Swiss cheese that has a yellow color and firm consistency. It is made from whole cow's milk and is aged for at least 6 months, sometimes longer.

It features the typical holes that are very common with Swiss cheeses. Gruyere is a rich and creamy cheese that has a delicious nutty flavor and is perfect for melting.

🧂 Snacks, Spices, & Condiments: Foods That Start With G

44. Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a classic Italian staple that is served in restaurants everywhere and loved by everyone. You can buy it in the frozen aisle of the grocery store or even make it yourself at home (plus, it's super easy to do).

It is perfect for serving as an appetizer, side dish, or simply soaking up all of the remaining pasta sauce. Yum!

45. Ghee

To put it simply, ghee is clarified butter. This means that it is butter that has had its milk solids removed, resulting in a higher smoke point than typical butter.

It has a slightly nuttier flavor than standard butter and a different mouthfeel. Overall, you can use ghee as a substitute for butter.

46. Gherkin

If you've never heard of a gherkin before, it's a pickle. In fact, the term "gherkin" is used by everyone - except Americans.

If you want to get really technical, by definition, a gherkin is a pickled cucumber (which is what Americans call a pickle). However, a pickle is technically any vegetable that has been pickled (but Americans just call those pickled beets, pickled onions, etc.). Confusing, right?

47. Ginger

Ginger is a spice that has a pungent, sweet, and spicy flavor. It is frequently used in dishes that are both savory (like soups) and sweet (such as gingerbread). It also pairs well with other warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Ginger is great for sweet and savory dishes. It freezes, dehydrates, and freeze-dries well for easy long-term storage too.

Fun Fact: You can easily grow this hardy tuber as a house plant. It doesn't need a deep pot just lots of room to grow sideways for new rhizomes to form.

48. Graham Crackers

Graham crackers are a kid-favorite snack that can easily be incorporated into a wide variety of dessert recipes. They have a unique texture with a subtly sweet flavor and are made specifically from graham flour.

For desserts, they can be finely ground up and used as a pie crust (like cheesecake), used for some gooey smores, or added to an icebox cake.

49. Granola

This tasty breakfast staple generally consists of rolled oats, nuts, and honey. It is perfect as a snack or breakfast food and is also commonly added to baked goods, mixed into yogurt, and tossed into salads.

While granola has a base of oats, nuts, and honey, it is extremely adaptable and has many different varieties and versions that include a wide range of flavors. Eat it however you want; there are no rules when it comes to how to enjoy granola.

50. Gravy

Gravy is a staple condiment (or sauce) all across the South. There are two major types of gravy: cream gravy and brown gravy. They both are made with meat drippings, butter, and flour, but cream gravy adds milk or cream, while brown gravy uses broth.

You can make homemade gravy very easily, or you can purchase some gravy mix at the grocery store. No matter what, this tasty sauce is great for topping (or dipping) so many dishes like chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, Salisbury steak, biscuits, poutine, pork chops, and meatloaf.

51. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt varies slightly from typical yogurt because of how they are produced. Both are made from the same ingredients, but regular yogurt is made by heating milk, adding bacteria, and then letting it ferment while Greek yogurt is made by eliminating the whey and other liquids from typical yogurt.

The result is two separate products with different consistencies (Greek yogurt is notably thicker) and varying nutritional values. They both contain protein and probiotics and are a healthy source of nutrition. Specifically, Greek yogurt is packed with more protein, while low-fat yogurt has fewer calories.

52. Guacamole

This tasty dip is popular in every Mexican restaurant for good reason. It is super tasty, with avocado being the star ingredient. You can make it creamy, chunky, hot, or mild and paired with your favorite tortilla chips.

See my perfectly balanced guacamole seasoning to make your new favorite chip dip!

53. Gummy Bears

Everyone knows this sweet and chewy candy. This gummy candy is made the same as other gummy candies (using gelatin, sugar, flavoring, and other ingredients) before being poured into bear-shaped molds.

Have I missed something wonderful from this list of classic comfort foods, bread, dinners, desserts, and international foods starting with the letter G? Leave a comment and let me know below.

📖 Recipe Card