53 Foods That Are Orange [Healthy & Delicious]

Orange Foods
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Eating the rainbow is an excellent way to get a diverse group of foods throughout the day. Each color offers various health benefits, including the vibrant color orange.

Orange foods help protect your vision and keep your immune system in check. Foods like carrots, salmon, and pumpkin have beta-carotene, which is something you should be eating every day.

The good news is that plenty of foods have an orange hue and are packed with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Our comprehensive list will have you stocking up on foods that are orange in no time.

What Gives Orange Foods Their Color?

Most orange foods have a vibrant hue because they contain carotenoids, like beta-carotene. However, you’ll want to be aware of artificially orange foods that usually add food coloring, which offers no health benefits.

Are Orange Foods Healthy For You?

Naturally orange foods are healthy and excellent for getting vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

It’s a good idea to have some orange on your plate because they help fight infection, keep your skin healthy, aid in vision and eye health, and help protect your body against free radicals, which can lead to chronic illnesses.

In addition, you’ll also receive the following benefits by adding orange foods to your diet:

  • Lower cholesterol
  • It may help prevent diabetes
  • Supports healthy joints and bones
  • Reduce blood pressure
  • It might prevent certain cancers

The List of 53 Foods That Are Orange

1. Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is a variety of winter squash and has a nutty, sweet taste with bright orange flesh. Butternut squash is loaded with vitamins A and C, and its beta-carotene can help protect your eyes from UV rays.

It also is an excellent source of fiber, which can lower your cancer risk and keep your weight in check. You can use butternut squash in many ways, including cooking it in the instant pot. In addition, you’ll probably want to add some olive oil and seasoning to give it extra flavor.

2. Valencia Oranges

Valencia oranges are sweet and one of the most popular varieties of oranges, making them an excellent snack. They also are a great source of folate, fiber, and vitamin C, essential in helping your body heal from illness.

You can eat Valencia oranges just how they are, or get creative and use them in a recipe like Valencia orange quick bread.

3. Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is a popular breakfast choice and has a bright orange flesh inside. You’ll find the best quality cantaloupe in the summer and enjoy staying hydrated since it is made of 90% water.

In addition, cantaloupe has various minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, making it an excellent addition to your diet. You can cut the cantaloupe in half, eat it with a spoon, or get creative and whip up a tasty recipe.

4. Apricot

Apricots are often confused with nectarines and peaches but have a different flavor. The popular fruit is grown worldwide, despite originating in Central Asia and China.

In addition, apricots are great if you want to add fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and E to your diet. You can use apricots for various recipes, including jams, jellies, dried apricots, smoothies, pies, and more.

5. Orange Cherry Tomatoes

If you’re lucky enough to find them, you can get cherry tomatoes in orange. While you are probably used to seeing them in red, you can find them in many colors, including orange!

Cherry tomatoes are full of vitamins, including A and C, and are high in lycopene, which helps protect your skin from UV rays and promotes superior heart health. You can put orange cherry tomatoes on your salad or roast them in the oven.

6. Curry Powder

Curry powder is a popular spice originating in India and is used in many recipes you find online. Curry powder is usually a mix of cumin, ginger, black pepper, and turmeric, which helps give it an orange color. However, some recipes add ingredients like coriander, mustard seeds, and red pepper flakes. 

If you are looking to lower your blood pressure, curry powder is an excellent addition to your spice cabinet. In addition, eating a meal with curry powder can help improve your circulation when you are finished eating.

7. Grapefruit

Another popular breakfast fruit is grapefruit, which is high in fiber and helps fight constipation and promote gut health.

Grapefruit tastes somewhat bitter, which many consider sour to semi-sweet. You can eat grapefruit with a spoon or add it to a smoothie to help tone down the flavor.

8. Kumquat

Kumquats originated in China but are now found in warm climates in the United States, like California and Florida. Unlike oranges, you can eat the skin of kumquat, which has a sweet flavor, while the inside is tart.

Kumquats are high in vitamin C, and their skin provides a good source of fiber. Eating kumquats whole is best, but you can add them to overnight oats, salads, or cereal.

9. Mango

Mangoes were first found in India thousands of years ago, and their seeds made their way across countries like East Africa and South America. Mangoes have a fruity flavor, a taste some may describe as slightly pine.

You can cut and serve mango, use it in baking and cooking, or make fresh mango salsa. You’ll want to leave the skin on because it’s loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.

10.Carrots

There’s no surprise carrots would make the list of foods that are orange, as it’s likely one of the most recognizable vegetables. Carrots are beneficial mainly due to their vitamin A content, fiber, and beta-carotene.

Adding carrots to your diet can help lower your diabetes risk, strengthen your bones, and help keep your blood sugar levels in check. While eating raw carrots is a quick option, you can roast carrots for a delicious side dish.

11. Crab Roe

Crab roe are the orange eggs inside a female crab and have a delicious taste. Like other fish eggs, they are best eaten raw and are similar to caviar.

Due to its high sodium and cholesterol content, you should eat crab roe in moderation. However, you can try it in crab soup, sushi, or dips when cooking with crab roe.

12. Orange Raspberries

They might not look like your typical raspberries, but orange raspberries offer the same taste as the traditional fruit. Orange raspberries are an excellent source of fiber and Vitamin C and are sodium and cholesterol-free, making them an excellent snack.

You can eat plain orange raspberries or add them to yogurt, ice cream, or a summer salad. You can also bake with them and make a delicious torte.

13. Orange Habanero

Habanero peppers are known for their heat, and the orange habanero is one of the spiciest peppers you’ll find. You probably won’t take a bite out of one, but you can use orange habaneros in salsa or other sauces.

You want to be careful when cutting orange habaneros and resist touching your face before washing your hands. However, orange habaneros offer antioxidants that help decrease insulin resistance.

14. Papaya

Papaya is an excellent source of minerals and vitamins and is also low-calorie, making it a great option if you watch your weight. When you cut open papaya, you’ll find the bright orange flesh and its seeds, both of which are edible.

While you can eat papaya alone, it’s also delicious baked or served over salads or in desserts.

15. Orange Chrysanthemum

Orange chrysanthemums are beautiful flowers that you can eat! The vibrant flower has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, but you can also use it in your tea.

You can add the leaves to your next salad and enjoy knowing orange chrysanthemum can help reduce inflammation and prevent bone loss.

16. Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese needs no introduction, as it dates back to the 12th century, and today, it’s the most widely purchased cheese worldwide. The orange cheese is a good source of calcium and Vitamin K, which helps promote bone health.

There is no shortage of what you can do with cheddar cheese, but a good old-fashioned grilled cheese sounds good!

17. Persimmon

Persimmon has a similar taste to cantaloupe and a matching orange flesh. The tomato-looking fruit is technically a berry, and it’s best to cut the fruit in half and eat it with a spoon. However, you can also use persimmon in jellies and jams, making it a versatile food.

Persimmons are an excellent source of manganese and vitamins A and C. In addition, they can help lower your risk of cancer and stroke. If you prefer to bake, you can make persimmon bread, which will offer a similar texture to banana bread.

18. Cape Gooseberry

The South American plant, cape gooseberry, can be eaten raw or cooked, but you don’t want to eat the husks. Cape gooseberries are often used in salads, relishes, chutneys, salsas, or dipped in chocolate.

Cape gooseberries are a good source of vitamin C and fiber, two essential nutrients to add to your diet.

19. Peaches

Peaches are a low-calorie fruit high in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C, E, and K, potassium, zinc, magnesium, folate, and iron. You can eat the fuzzy orange fruit as a snack or add it to smoothies, salads, baked goods, and desserts.

You can buy peaches from your local store or go peach picking if you have a nearby farm. Fresh peaches can be used to make delicious treats like peach cobbler!

20. Nasturtium

While not as common as others, nasturtium is an edible flower that can quickly grow in your backyard. The bright orange flower attracts necessary pollinators and grows annually in most areas.

You can eat all parts of the nasturtium flower, including its leaves, stems, seed pods, and flowers. You’ll notice the flower has a peppery flavor, like radishes, and you can add them to salads, mix them with vinegar to make dressings, or add them as a garnish on a charcuterie board.

21. Pumpkin

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving jack-o-lanterns; they also offer numerous health benefits like vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, iron, and folate. You can buy canned pumpkin at the store, or if you have whole pumpkins, you can bake them to soften the flesh

There are various pumpkin recipes, including pies, bread, muffins, and smoothies.

22. Sweet Potatoes

You shouldn’t only serve sweet potatoes during the holidays since they offer numerous health benefits. Sweet potatoes support healthy vision, enhance brain function, promote gut health, and are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

You can bake sweet potatoes in the oven and cut them open to see their bright orange flesh. You don’t want to throw the skins away, as that’s where you get many health benefits.

23. Scarlet Runner Bean Flowers

Another edible plant is the scarlet runner bean flower, which can be used in salads or cooked by itself. The orange flowers taste bean-like but are tougher than regular green beans.

There are several ways to prepare scarlet runner bean flowers, including baked, sauteed, boiled, and steamed; you should refrain from eating them raw.

24. Orange Lentils

Lentils are legumes, which also includes peas, chickpeas, beans, snow peas, and sugar snap peas. In addition, orange lentils offer similar benefits to black lentils, like lowering cholesterol and providing fiber to promote a healthy gut.

Orange lentils are also called red lentils or orange dal and are an excellent source of protein, ideal for vegetarians. There are basic ways to cook lentils, including on the stovetop, or you make soups or add them to other recipes.

25. Clementines

Clementines are cute, small orange fruits that children usually enjoy. However, there’s no reason why adults can snack on clementines, especially since they are an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamin C.

Vitamin C can help reduce inflammation, which helps prevent certain types of cancer. You can peel and eat clementines or add them to a fresh salad. If you are feeling adventurous, you can make a clementine jam!

26. Salmon Roe

Salmon roe is ideal for those on a keto diet or looking to add more omega-fatty acids. Salmon roe are salmon eggs, although that doesn’t necessarily make it caviar and instead is a substitute for the fancy dish.

You can serve salmon roe on top of flatbread, sushi, salads, pancakes, or crackers. In addition, you can add salmon roe to scrambled eggs for a high-protein breakfast.

27. Squash Blossoms

Squash blossoms are versatile flowers that can be added to almost any dish, including pasta, frittatas, pizzas, quesadillas, and stews. You can also fry, roast, and bake squash blossoms for a delicious side dish.

While you need to eat a fair amount to reap the benefits, squash blossoms contain zinc, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E, and K.

28. Orange Cauliflower

Orange cauliflower is similar to the traditional white vegetable but has a sunburst orange hue due to higher levels of beta-carotene. Due to the extra nutrients, orange cauliflower is a better option than the standard white.

However, getting your hands on orange cauliflower is not easy because it’s a hybrid of traditional cauliflower. You don’t cook orange cauliflower any differently and can enjoy it steamed, roasted, or used as a substitute in recipes.

29. Orange Watermelon

Orange watermelon contains higher levels of beta-carotene than its red counterpart, which helps give it its unique orange color. Like traditional watermelon, the orange-colored version is considered healthy since it doesn’t contain fat or cholesterol and is mainly made up of water.

If you are used to red watermelon, you may notice the orange kind tastes a little sweeter. Watermelon is best served cut up, but you can add it to a fresh salad or in a smoothie.

30. Turmeric

Turmeric is a popular Indian spice used in various dishes, including recipes with chicken, potatoes, lamb chops, eggs, meats, and vegetables. Turmeric contains curcumin, which can improve heart health and prevent certain cancers and Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition, turmeric is an excellent addition if you want to reduce inflammation or improve symptoms of depression. You can buy turmeric at most grocery and specialty stores.

31. Marigold

Marigolds are a common plant in a person’s yard, but it’s also an edible flower you can use to garnish food. However, not all types of marigolds are edible, but if you stick to the pot marigold with the orange flowers, you’ll be safe.

The leaves of marigolds have a peppery taste, while the flowers are milder. Marigold has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times and has been used to treat stomach ulcers, pink eye, jaundice, fevers, and liver problems.

32. Dalandan

Dalandan is a green fruit on the exterior but with orange flesh, and it belongs to the same family as naval and blood oranges. The term dalandan is a Tagalong term derived from the Spanish word orange or naranja. 

Like other citrus fruits, dalandan is an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants. You can also use dalandan peels to help with dizziness or nausea.

33. Tamarillo

Tamarillo is a small fruit, originally from South America, that grows best in warm climates. Even Though it looks like a pint-size tomato, it has its own identity. For starters, you should refrain from eating the tamarillo’s peel because it tastes bitter.

You can use tamarillo in sauces, chutney, pasta dishes, chicken recipes, and egg dishes, or sprinkle sugar on the tamarillo’s flesh and eat it with a spoon. Tamarillo is low in calories and has a decent amount of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and E.

 

34. Salmon

Salmon is a ray-finned fish with a vibrant orange hue, which they get by eating shrimp and krill.

Salmon is one of the healthiest foods you can eat, as it is high in vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acids, is high in protein, can help with weight management, and may lower your risk of heart disease.

You can prepare salmon in many ways, including baking, pan-frying, poaching, grilling, or roasting.

35. Chanterelle Mushrooms

Chanterelle mushrooms have a beautiful orange hue and are an excellent source of vitamins B and D, fiber, and antioxidants. The colorful mushrooms have a peppery and slightly sweet taste and are excellent in various recipes.

You don’t want to pick mushrooms you find in your yard, as they may be toxic, so ensure you always buy them at a local grocery store.

36. Maprang

Maprang is a small orange mango fruit found mainly in Southeast Asia and tends to bloom in late spring to summer. The petite fruit is rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and vitamin C and has a decent amount of iron, calcium, and phosphorus.

When you bite into a maprang, you’ll discover the bright purple seed, which is edible despite its bitter taste. While you can eat fresh maprang or add it to a smoothie, it’s also popular in Thai dishes.

37. Mamey Sapote

Mamey sapote is native to Central America and Mexico and has a bright orange center. The medium-sized fruit has a distinct flavor and is almost a cross between sweet potatoes and pumpkins.

Mamey sapote is an excellent source of fiber, iron, calcium, carotenoids, potassium, and vitamins A and C. While you don’t eat the skin, you can eat the insides with a spoon or add it to smoothies or milkshakes.

38. Salmonberry

Salmonberry is a raspberry-looking fruit native to the west coast of the United States, ranging from Alaska to California. Salmonberries taste more like rhubarb with a bit of tartness and sweetness.

You can use salmonberries on salads or use them to make jams and jellies. If you are a baker, they taste delicious in pies and tarts. In addition, you should add salmonberries to your diet to boost your potassium, calcium, and iron intake.

 

39.  Mamey Apple

Mamey apple, sometimes spelled mammee apple, has a similar taste as apricots and passionfruit, with a tangy flavor. The unique fruit can vary in size, with some growing as large as a cantaloupe.

You can use the pulp to make jams, purees, sauces, baked goods, or desserts. Mamey apple is an excellent source of vitamin C and copper and is high in carbohydrates.

40. Kabocha Squash

Kabocha squash has a distinctly sweet flavor and a light, soft texture. The sweet squash has deep green skin and bright orange flesh and is high in nutrients like fiber, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A and C.

Kabocha squash is an excellent addition to your diet to help prevent diabetes and certain cancers, promote heart health, boost your immune system, and treat inflammation. You can roast kabocha squash and serve it along with your main meal.

41. Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is another popular winter squash with a distinct acorn-shaped exterior and orange flesh. Acorn squash is high in antioxidants, which can help prevent certain cancers, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and high blood pressure.

Acorn squash has a sweet, nutty flavor, and you can cut it in half and roast it in the oven for a delicious side dish.

42. Horned Melon

Horned melon, or Kiwano, is native to Africa and has a distinct spiky orange exterior. While its appearance may be off-putting, its benefits shouldn’t be. For example, horned melon is mainly made of water and contains antioxidants like zinc, lutein, and vitamins A and C.

You want to eat the entire inside, including the seeds, which offer an excellent source of vitamin E. While you can eat the odd-looking skin, most eat the flesh and enjoy its sweet, mild flavor.

43. Dutch Mimolette

Dutch Mimolette is a large, orange Dutch cheese made from cow’s milk and colored with carrot juice. The unique-colored cheese looks similar to an orange fruit and has a fruity flavor.

As with most cheeses, Dutch Mimolette is a good source of calcium and is best when it’s aged at least six months.

44. Chicken of the Woods

Chicken of the Woods is nothing like the name insists; instead, it is a type of edible mushroom. The unique-looking mushroom is highly sought after and got its name because those who find it in the wild often enjoy a wild chicken dance in excitement.

If you get your hands on the exciting mushroom, you’ll notice its meaty taste, similar to chicken, lobster, or crab. Chicken of the Woods is great for anyone looking to add a meaty texture to their meal without the meat. You can sauté Chicken of the Woods and add it to your next meal.

45. Annatto

Annatto is known for its orange-reddish color and is a food coloring made with the seeds of an achiote tree. Its color is similar to turmeric and saffron, and it gets its bright color from carotenoids in the seeds’ outer layers.

Annatto has a peppery, nutty flavor and is often used as a powder, paste, or liquid. Annatto is an excellent source of antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties, aiding food preservation.

46. Ugli Fruit

Ugli fruit, or Jamaican tangelo, is a citrus fruit with a unique skin, hence the name. The distinct fruit has a tangy, sweet flavor with bitterness and is like a combination of grapefruit and oranges.

Ugli fruit is grown exclusively in Jamaica before being exported worldwide. The citrus fruit is low in calories and high in vitamin C, which is crucial in boosting your immune system. While you can eat the fruit raw, removing the seeds before consumption is best.

47. Oriole Orange Swiss Chard

Oriole orange Swiss chard is a unique vibrantly colored leafy green vegetable named after the Oriole bird. The stems of the Swiss chard have an orange hue, while the leaves remain green.

The colorful Swiss chard has a mild flavor, and you can steam, sauté, or bake the greens in dishes. Swiss chard is an excellent source of vitamins A and K and also a decent source of magnesium and vitamin C.

48. Mandarin Oranges

Mandarin oranges are a small citrus fruit that originated in various regions, including South China and Japan. Mandarins have a bit of a spicy and vanilla flavor, and you can eat them plain or toss them in your next salad.

Mandarin oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps you maintain healthy skin and boosts your immune system.

49. Mila Orange Pear Tomato

Mila orange pear tomatoes are known for their unique pear shape and vibrant hue. The interesting-looking tomato has firm, sweet flesh and is high in antioxidants, making them an excellent addition to your next meal.

50. Orange Accordion Tomato

Orange accordion tomatoes have a unique ruffled texture and a fruity, sweet flavor. Unlike traditional tomatoes, they have fewer seeds and meatier flesh, making them ideal for cooking.

You can find orange accordion tomatoes as large as 20 ounces each, allowing you to get creative with your recipes.

51. Atomic Orange Corn

Atomic orange corn is an excellent source of protein and beta-carotene and also offers vibrant orange color. The uniquely-colored corn gets its hue from carotenoids, a natural plant pigment.

You can cook atomic orange corn as traditional corn, like boiling, steaming, or roasting it.

52. Sunrise Bumble Bee Tomato

Sunrise bumble bee tomatoes are bite-sized and perfect for a snack or on top of salads. The sweet and tangy tomatoes are an excellent source of potassium, calcium, vitamin C, and lycopene, which can help reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease.

53. Orange Bell Peppers

Orange bell peppers are one of the most common types of peppers, and with good reason. The crisp, juicy flesh has a sweet and mild flavor, making it ideal for cooking.

Orange bell peppers are high in potassium, vitamins A and C, and provide fiber, iron, and folate. You can eat peppers plain, dip them in hummus or use them in a stir-fry recipe.

Conclusion

While there is no shortage of foods that are orange, it’s important you add them to your diet to get the necessary vitamins and nutrients. For example, orange foods offer beta-carotene, which can help boost your immune system and is good for vision health.