Here you’ll find 12 Appetizers that start with I, organized from “Iberico ham” to “Israeli salad”. They cover cured meats, savory dips, small salads, and warm bites for parties or casual snacking.
Appetizers that start with I are small savory starters often served before meals or at gatherings. One notable example, Iberico ham, reflects Spain’s long tradition of cured meats and celebratory plates.
Below you’ll find the table with Appetizer, Primary ingredients, and Calories (per serving).
Appetizer: Shows the common name you can use when shopping or searching recipes, helping you identify each starter quickly.
Primary ingredients: Lists two to four key components so you can check pantry needs and match flavors before cooking.
Calories (per serving): Gives an approximate energy value per typical serving, rounded to the nearest 10 kcal for quick planning.
Appetizers that start with I
| Name | Primary ingredients | Region/Origin | Calories (kcal per serving) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idli | rice, urad dal, water, salt | South Indian | 40 kcal (1 small idli / 30 g) | Soft steamed rice-lentil cakes served warm with chutney or sambar, light and spongy; often offered as a small savory starter. |
| Imam bayildi | eggplant, tomato, onion, garlic | Turkish / Ottoman | 180 kcal (1 small portion / 120 g) | Tender eggplant stuffed or braised in tomato and onion with olive oil, served at room temperature as a meze, savory with sweet notes. |
| Ikra | eggplant, oil, onion, lemon | Eastern European / Russian | 80 kcal (2 tbsp / 30 g) | Smoky eggplant caviar spread commonly served on bread or crackers; silky texture with bright lemon and onion flavors. |
| Israeli salad | tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley | Israeli / Middle Eastern | 70 kcal (1 cup / 150 g) | Finely diced fresh salad, crisp and refreshing, often served chilled as a mezze or starter alongside grilled dishes. |
| Iceberg wedge | iceberg lettuce, blue cheese, bacon, tomato | American | 250 kcal (1 wedge / 200 g) | A crunchy wedge of lettuce topped with dressing, bacon and tomato; classic steakhouse starter with creamy and salty contrasts. |
| Involtini | thin meat, cheese, breadcrumbs, herbs | Italian | 220 kcal (1 roll / 80 g) | Small stuffed meat rolls (often beef or veal) filled with cheese and herbs, pan-seared or baked and served hot as an antipasto. |
| Iberico ham | jamón ibérico, bread, olive oil | Spanish (Iberian) | 120 kcal (30 g / 1 oz) | Thinly sliced cured ham with rich, nutty flavor, typically served alone or with bread and a drizzle of olive oil as a tapa. |
| Irish smoked salmon | smoked salmon, brown bread, lemon, dill | Irish / British Isles | 140 kcal (2 slices / 50 g) | Silky cold-smoked salmon served on brown bread or blinis with lemon and dill; elegant, smoky canapé or starter. |
| Ika-yaki | squid, soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil | Japanese | 150 kcal (1 skewer / 80 g) | Grilled or pan-seared squid, slightly charred and savory, often served on skewers as a flavorful street-food-style appetizer. |
| Insalata caprese | tomato, mozzarella, basil, olive oil | Italian (Campania) | 220 kcal (1 plate / 150 g) | Simple plate of fresh tomato and mozzarella slices with basil and olive oil, creamy and bright; common antipasto or starter. |
| Icli kofte | bulgur, minced meat, onion, spices | Turkish / Middle Eastern | 200 kcal (1 piece / 80 g) | Bulgur shell filled with spiced meat, shaped into ovals and fried or baked; crispy outside with a tender, savory interior. |
| Ilocos empanada | rice flour, green papaya, egg, pork sausage | Filipino (Ilocos) | 300 kcal (1 piece / 150 g) | Deep-fried stuffed pastry from Ilocos with crunchy shell and savory filling of papaya, egg and sausage, eaten as a snack or appetizer. |