If you’re reading this article, then it’s safe to say that there’s one thing you and I have in common—we both love food!
That’s why I decided to compile a list of incredible foods that start with O. If we’re going to be spending this much time together, we might as well get along.
Also, if you’re interested in learning more about any of these foods that start with o or want to try some delicious recipes with your newfound knowledge, just keep on reading.
Let’s move on to the list of foods that start with O.
1. Okonomiyaki
This is the first on our list of foods that start with O. O-konomi-yaki is a type of Japanese pancake. It’s a great option for gluten-free people as it uses rice flour instead of wheat flour.
It’s not often found in restaurants, but you can find it at home if you know where to look. The literal translation is Grill as you like.
It might sound intimidating, but don’t be intimidated! To make okonomiyaki, you need three ingredients: flour, water, and eggs.
You’ll want to whisk together your eggs, then slowly pour your water into the mix while whisking continuously until it becomes a smooth batter.
2. Oregon Grapes
This is the second on our list of foods that start with O. The Oregon grape, also known as Mahonia aquifolium, is a shrub in the family Berberidaceae.
It grows in woodlands and forests of the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The plant has yellow flowers and edible purple berries.
The Oregon grape is common along forest edges and in moist areas such as streambanks and wet prairies. It is closely related to blueberries, cranberries, and huckleberries.
In fact, it was used to be classified as an ornamental variety of these three species! It was moved into its own genus because it has larger leaves than most other members of these three genera (they are up to 4 inches long).
3. Orange Peppers
The pepper originated in South America and was cultivated there for thousands of years. It was introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus.
Also, the Spaniards brought them back to Spain, from where they quickly spread throughout Europe, including Italy, where it became known as peperone or big pepper. They are also called bell peppers after their shape and size.
4. Orange Juice
OJ is one of my favorite juices. It’s an easy, healthy way to get your daily dose of Vitamin C, and there are many different varieties to try.
The color alone is enough to make me want a glass! Plus, it tastes great when mixed with vodka or gin for a refreshing cocktail.
I love squeezing oranges at home and adding a little fresh-squeezed juice to my morning oatmeal. This adds a hint of sweetness and makes an ordinary breakfast into something special!
5. Olive oil
Olive oil is a staple in most kitchens and can be used on almost anything from salads to baked potatoes. Olive oil is high in mono-unsaturated fats, greatly reducing inflammation throughout the body.
Plus, it has a low smoke point, making it an excellent choice for people who want to cook without added oils or animal fats. This isn’t left out of our list of foods that start with O.
6. Ogbono
This is also on the list of foods that start with O. If you are looking for a hearty, warming soup to get your stomach back on track, you need to look no further than this African delicacy.
It is usually eaten in Nigeria and is made of ground crayfish and okra, which can be hard to find in stores.
But don’t let that deter you! Any type of seafood will do. The most popular one I’ve seen is shrimp ogbono soup. It’s spicy and full of flavor, and one bowl packs a serious protein punch.
7. Oeufs En Meurette
The oeufs en meurette is a classic French dish, which translates to eggs in a fortified wine sauce. The dish’s name comes from the two types of wine used in its preparation: red Burgundy and white Meursault. It is on our roll of the various foods that start with O.
Meanwhile, the eggs are poached in this fortified wine sauce, then served over soft-boiled egg noodles or rice. This is a great dish for date night because it doesn’t take much time to prepare and has a rich flavor profile.
8. Ochazuke
It’s traditional for ochazuke to be made using green tea and salmon roe, but there are many variations, including red bean soup, squid ink, tofu skin, yuba (tofu skin), or even canned coffee jelly!
In some areas, it is common for an onigiri rice ball to be added. There are many different ways of eating this dish, so feel free to experiment with what you like!
9. Oxtail
Many people are unfamiliar with this dish because it is not very popular in North America. However, it is quite common in other countries, such as China and South Africa. This meat has been used for centuries because it was considered to have healing properties.
One theory behind this is that an animal would not willingly eat an injury or disease on its own body. Then neither would humans likely consume these parts without cooking them thoroughly.
As said, oxtail is a type of beef tail meat. It’s popular in various cuisines and is used to make soups and stews.
A great way to prepare it is by braising it for a long time or by boiling it in broth until tender. Also you can also season the meat and then grill it.
If you don’t have time to wait, consider buying pre-cooked pieces from your local grocery store! Foods that start with O are not complete without mentioning oxtail.
10. Opera cake
A list of foods that start with o is not complete without mentioning opera cake. This rich, decadent French dessert consists of layers of almond cream and dark chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream and marzipan.
The name derives from its resemblance to an opera hat. Opera cake is often served at weddings but can also be enjoyed any day of the week (and any time of year) as a special treat!
11. Oyster sauce
Oysters are one of the oldest delicacies known in human history – their nutritional profile makes them an excellent meal choice! Along with omega-3s, protein, and zinc, they have plenty of minerals like calcium and potassium.
And since they’re low on carbs and high on healthy fats, they’re a great option for anyone looking to lose weight.
Also, they can be prepared any way you want: fried, grilled, boiled… it’s up to you! You’ll find oyster sauce at most Chinese restaurants and many other ethnic cuisines like Thai.
The sauce is made by mixing together oyster stock (made from boiling oysters) or shrimp broth and soy sauce.
12. Ossobuco
Ossobuco is also on the list of foods that start with O. It is an Italian dish made from braised veal shanks. It is traditionally served with risotto alla Milanese, but it can also be served over polenta.
The name Ossobuco means pierced bone in Italian. The meat is typically cooked for at least 3 hours until it becomes so tender that a knife slides through it easily.
There are many recipes out there for this dish, and each chef has their own twist on how to make it. One recipe includes adding white wine to deglaze the pan before pouring in broth and tomato sauce, while another includes parsley, carrots, celery, pearl onions, and garlic cloves.
13. Oolong
While black tea is made from leaves that have been crushed, so they release their flavors more quickly, oolong is made in a much more delicate way. Whole leaves are used so as not to bruise them during processing.
Also, they are fermented before drying and then rolled or twisted by hand or machine into small pellets called needles. Most importantly, they aren’t left out of our list of foods that start with O!
14. Orzo
In Italy, orzo is mainly used as a substitute for rice. This grain is not only versatile but also gluten-free and low in calories. It has a mild flavor and can be served hot or cold. Orzo is one of the amazing foods that start with O.
In Sicily, you’ll find pasta e Ceci, a soup made from chickpeas, pasta, and vegetables. It often contains orzo to provide starch for this satisfying meal.
15. Omelet
The word omelet is derived from the French word omelet. It is a dish made of eggs and some form of cooked meat, vegetables, cheese, or other savory ingredients.
It is typically served hot. The omelet is an egg-based dish prepared in several different ways. An omelet is an egg dish made from beaten eggs cooked with butter or oil in a frying pan.
The most basic version of this is a plain omelet, but many variations exist. They can be filled with cheese, vegetables, meats, and any combination thereof.
16. Oreos
Foods that start with O are not complete without mentioning Oreos. It is famous for its chocolate wafers and sweet creme filling; Oreos are one of America’s favorite cookies. Originally called Oreo Biscuits, these cookies were a staple on American dinner tables.
It is known as America’s favorite cookie; Oreos are a perfect dessert treat. These cookies come in three different flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
The chocolate-flavored Oreos have a chocolate cookie with creme filling, while the vanilla ones have a vanilla cookie with creme filling.
The strawberry-flavored ones have a strawberry cream filling and look like they were dipped in strawberries.
Lastly, one of the best things about these cookies is that they’re kosher! Today, you can find a version of this cookie worldwide!
17. Oregano
Have you ever thought of Oregano as one of the foods that start with O? Oregano is an herb with a slight, spicy flavor. It’s often used in Italian and Mexican dishes, as well as Asian dishes.
It’s also used in sauces, soups, and salads. The oregano plant grows wild all over the Mediterranean area.
The leaves of the plant are dried and then ground to make a powder which is either added to foods or sprinkled on top of them before serving.
18. Oysters
Oysters are a great choice for seafood lovers. They’re high in protein and low in fat, and they’re an excellent source of zinc and vitamin B12.
Oysters are also one of nature’s most potent sources of the amino acid tyrosine, which is necessary for dopamine production in your body.
Tyrosine is associated with feelings of motivation, happiness, and satisfaction. It’s no wonder oysters are considered aphrodisiacs! Oysters are sure on the list of foods that start with O.
19. Orange
Orange, a juicy fruit, is one of the most popular fruits in America. The orange is another name for all citrus fruits that start with an O on their name.
The word orange originated from oranje, which is Dutch for orange. Citrus fruits like oranges are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
Eating just one orange will provide you with around 88% of your daily recommended vitamin C intake.
In addition to being healthy and delicious, oranges have been shown to have antibacterial properties. And can also be used as a natural tanning agent without harsh chemicals or side effects!
20. Octopus
Foods that start with O? Octopus is one! The octopus is a sea animal. It has eight arms that branch off from a central body and two eyes on stalks. The octopus is an invertebrate and can be found in oceans around the world.
They are carnivorous creatures and will eat just about anything they can catch, including fish, crabs, clams, and smaller octopuses.
Octopuses have been known to walk on land using their arms for support. They use their suckers to grab food to eat it or rip it apart if it’s not something they want to eat right away.
21. Oatmeal
The health benefits of oatmeal are well documented. It is an excellent source of many nutrients, including selenium, manganese, and B vitamins.
This nutritious breakfast food contains complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Also, Oats have a low glycemic index rating making them a great choice for people who are looking to lose weight or have diabetes because they help slow down the release of sugar into your bloodstream, which is more gentle on your system.
22. Oat Milk
Oat milk is also on the list of foods that start with O. Oats provide a good source of protein and carbohydrates, which can be difficult to get from animal sources.
They are also low in fat and cholesterol free! The high fiber content of oats helps regulate blood sugar levels and can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and more.
Many different oat milk brands are on the market today, including ones fortified with additional vitamins, like vitamin D, for enhanced nutrition. If you’re looking for a cruelty-free milk alternative, then try this out!
23. Oxheart Cherry
This fruit is a cross between an oxheart and a cherry. It has beautiful dark red skin, tart greenish flesh, and seeds.
The oxheart cherry was created to attempt to create a hybrid of two other types of cherries, thus its scientific name (Prunus avium x Prunus cerasus).
Oxheart cherries are not commercially available in the U.S., but you can find them at specialty stores in Canada and Belgium.
The oxheart cherry is a great source of vitamins C, K, A, and E, plus it contains antioxidants and flavonoids for fighting off free radicals. Cherries are rich in potassium which can help lower blood pressure levels.
24. Ovos Moles De Aveiro
Ovo Moles de Aveiro is a typical Portuguese egg-based dish. It has a custard-like texture and is usually made up of eggs, sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon zest, and vanilla.
The whole thing is baked in an oven for about 30 minutes. This dessert can be served warm or cold, and it’s perfect for any time of day!
25. Osmanthus Cake
This cake is a part of my family’s traditional Christmas Eve dessert and is so unbelievably delicious. It’s a dense, rich cake made of butter, eggs, sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and spices. The cake is then drizzled with orange juice syrup and garnished with powdered sugar.
The cake requires some time to make, but it’s worth the effort. This Osmanthus cake recipe will yield two 9-inch cakes or one 10-inch cake.
You can also make this in two 8-inch pans (baking for about 25 minutes) or one 12-inch pan (baking for about 20 minutes).
26. Ortanique
As we are about to bring the list of foods that start with O to an end, ortanique will not be left out. Ortanique is a new and innovative cuisine based on fresh ingredients worldwide.
Ortanique offers dishes from all over North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. You can try something new with dishes from different cultures every time you visit ortanique.
The menu changes seasonally to provide customers with the freshest flavors possible. If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy delicious food at an affordable price, then ortanique is your place!
27. Oroblanco
This is the last of our list of foods that start with O. This small white fruit packs more than 300% of your daily vitamin C intake.
Plus, it tastes great! Try eating an oroblanco as a refreshing snack in-between meals or as a garnish for salads and desserts.
Also, you can turn them into delicious popsicles by mixing water, sugar, orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed), and lemon juice together. Pour mixture over chopped-up oroblanco and freeze until solid!
Conclusion
The letter O has some great foods that start with it that can help you get the vitamins and nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Many of these foods that start with O are also easy to find, making them an ideal snack or meal choice at any time. Listed above are incredible foods that start with O that you should try today!
