15 Fruits You Always Thought Were Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, but sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between them. Many foods that we commonly think of as vegetables are actually fruits. 

Botanically speaking, a fruit develops from the flower of a plant and contains seeds, while vegetables are the edible parts of plants like leaves, stems, or roots. It can be surprising to discover that some of your favorite “vegetables” are technically fruits. Here are 15 fruits that you’ve probably always thought were vegetables.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are perhaps the most famous example of a fruit that is often mistaken for a vegetable. While they’re commonly used in salads, sauces, and other savory dishes, tomatoes are technically fruits because they develop from the flower of the plant and contain seeds. 

Botanically, they belong to the berry family. Their savory flavor leads many to categorize them as vegetables, but next time you slice into a tomato, remember you’re actually enjoying a fruit!

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are another food that many people think of as a vegetable, but they are, in fact, fruits. Cucumbers grow from the flower of the cucumber plant and contain seeds inside, which makes them a fruit. 

Often used in salads, sandwiches, or pickled as a side dish, their mild flavor and crunchy texture make them a staple in many savory dishes. However, don’t be fooled by their culinary uses—cucumbers are a fruit through and through.

Peppers (Bell Peppers, Chili Peppers)

Whether it’s bell peppers, chili peppers, or jalapeños, all peppers are fruits. They develop from the flowering part of the plant and have seeds inside, which classifies them as fruits in botanical terms. 

Peppers come in a wide variety of flavors, from sweet to spicy, and are often used in savory cooking. Even though they are a key ingredient in many vegetable dishes, these colorful foods belong in the fruit category.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins may be known for their role in soups, pies, and fall decorations, but did you know they’re actually fruits? Like other members of the squash family, pumpkins grow from the flower of the plant and have seeds, making them a fruit. 

While they’re often used in savory dishes like soups and roasted vegetables, their natural sweetness also makes them great in desserts. So, next time you carve a pumpkin, remember you’re working with a giant fruit!

Zucchini

Zucchini is another member of the squash family that is often mistaken for a vegetable but is technically a fruit. It grows from the flower of the zucchini plant and contains seeds, making it a fruit by botanical standards. 

Zucchini is commonly grilled, sautéed, or baked into savory dishes, which is why many people think of it as a vegetable. However, like pumpkins and cucumbers, it belongs to the fruit family.

Eggplants

Eggplants, also known as aubergines, are often thought of as vegetables due to their common use in savory dishes like ratatouille or eggplant parmesan. However, eggplants are technically fruits because they grow from the flowering part of the plant and contain seeds inside. 

Their rich, slightly bitter flavor makes them popular in a wide variety of cuisines, but they are definitely classified as fruits.

Avocados

Avocados are another food that confuses many people. With their creamy texture and savory taste, they are often used in dishes like salads, guacamole, and sandwiches, leading many to think of them as vegetables. 

However, avocados are fruits because they develop from the flower of the avocado tree and contain a large seed inside. They are considered berries in botanical terms, making them one of the most unique fruits around.

Olives

Olives may be commonly found on pizza, in salads, or as a savory snack, but they are actually fruits. Like other fruits, olives grow from the flower of the olive tree and contain a seed (the pit) inside. 

Their briny flavor and use in savory dishes often lead people to think of them as vegetables. However, olives are classified as fruits, specifically drupes, which are fruits with a single large seed surrounded by flesh.

Peas

Peas are another food that might surprise you—they’re actually fruits! Peas grow inside pods that develop from the flower of the pea plant, and the pods contain seeds, which makes them fruits. 

Although peas are often used in savory dishes like soups, casseroles, and side dishes, botanically, they belong in the fruit category. The pod itself is the fruit, and the peas inside are the seeds.

Okra

Okra is commonly used in savory dishes like stews and gumbo, making it seem like a vegetable. However, botanically speaking, okra is a fruit because it grows from the flower of the plant and contains seeds. 

The pods are eaten when they are tender, but they are technically fruits. Its role in so many savory dishes can make it hard to believe that okra is a fruit, but the seeds inside give it away.

Corn

While corn is often thought of as a grain or a vegetable, the kernels are actually fruits. Each kernel of corn is a seed, and the cob is technically a collection of fruits. 

Corn is used in a wide variety of dishes, from corn on the cob to popcorn, but it’s important to remember that it falls under the fruit category. Its starchy texture and use in savory dishes contribute to its confusion as a vegetable, but botanically, it’s a fruit.

Green Beans

Green beans, like peas, are technically fruits because they grow in pods that develop from the flowers of the plant. The pods contain seeds, which classifies them as fruits. 

However, green beans are commonly used in savory dishes, leading many people to think of them as vegetables. Whether steamed, sautéed, or added to casseroles, green beans are a popular “vegetable” that is actually a fruit.

Squash (Butternut, Acorn)

Just like pumpkins and zucchinis, other types of squash, such as butternut and acorn squash, are fruits. They grow from the flower of the plant and contain seeds, which makes them fruits in the botanical sense. 

Squash is often roasted, pureed, or added to soups and stews, which is why many people think of them as vegetables. Their versatility in both sweet and savory dishes makes them a popular fruit disguised as a vegetable.

Chayote

Chayote, a type of squash commonly used in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, is often mistaken for a vegetable. However, like other squashes, chayote is a fruit because it develops from the flower of the plant and contains seeds. 

It’s commonly cooked in savory dishes like stews and stir-fries, but its botanical classification is a fruit. Chayote is mild in flavor and can be prepared in a variety of ways, making it a versatile fruit.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are commonly grouped with vegetables, especially when roasted or sautéed, but technically, they have a unique twist. Brussels sprouts grow from a flowering stalk, and while not a fruit by traditional standards, they are part of the same botanical family as fruits like broccoli and cauliflower.

Their small, round appearance and bitter taste often lead people to classify them as vegetables, but in the plant world, their structure is closer to that of a fruit.

15 Places Where You’re Expected to Tip—But You Really Don’t Have To

Tipping has become a widespread practice in many industries, with the expectation that you’ll leave a little extra for good service. However, not every situation truly warrants a tip, even if you feel pressured to give one. 

15 Places Where You’re Expected to Tip—But You Really Don’t Have To

15 Most Annoying Habits of American Tourists When Dining Abroad

Traveling abroad is an exciting adventure, and dining in new places is a big part of the experience. However, some common behaviors by American tourists can be frustrating for locals and affect the dining experience. 

15 Most Annoying Habits of American Tourists When Dining Abroad