Some foods just taste better when they're paired together - and we've got 20 perfect examples to prove this point! Whether it's bacon and eggs or spaghetti and meatballs, there's just something lonely about these individual ingredients when they're not partnered with their other halves. Which food pairing do you love the most?
1. Bacon and Eggs
Waking up in the morning is already as hard as it is, but smelling that sweet scent of bacon and eggs frying on the stove is one easy way to get our butts out of bed. This classic breakfast duo is better when they're together; the savory, salty, and crispiness of the bacon is a match made in heaven for the simple, soft egg. It doesn't matter if the egg is scrambled, fried, or poached because the bacon will always be its perfect partner.
Photo by Wright Brand Bacon on Unsplash
2. Cheese and Wine
Universally loved, cheese and wine is a classy food pairing enjoyed by many. This combination requires a little more care though - you need the right cheese and the right wine to create the best taste experience. When you've done it right, you'll melt thanks to the richness of the cheese that's perfectly complemented by the acidity or sweetness of the wine. Talk about sophisticated!
Image by Christiane from Pixabay
3. Peanut Butter and Jelly
Nostalgic, homey, and comforting, there's nothing more simple but tasty than the combination that is peanut butter and jelly. This is a classic American duo that's beloved for its perfect balance of sweet and salty flavours. Just spread it on some bread for an easy but very delicious snack that'll instantly bring you back to your childhood.
4. Tomatoes and Basil
As a staple pairing in Italian cuisine that has been largely adopted in American cooking too, the combination of tomatoes and basil is a no-brainer. Aromatic and flavourful, a little basil is all you need to really elevate your tomato dish. The sweetness of the tomato is heightened when paired with the peppery notes of fresh basil, leaving you with a flavour profile that's oddly basic, but shockingly delicious.
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5. Sushi and Soy Sauce
Can you even imagine eating your sushi without any soy sauce? We mean, you could do it, but you'd definitely notice something missing. Although sushi tends to have very delicate flavours that highlight the freshness of the fish, a small dab into some soy sauce does wonders for the overall taste. To put it simply, the umami from the soy sauce elevates sushi to an entirely different level!
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
6. Chocolate and Strawberries
We always want to add something on our lists to please the sweet tooths too! Chocolate and strawberries just makes sense, no doubt about it. Often considered a romantic sweet treat, the sweet richness of the chocolate cuts through the slight sourness of the strawberries, creating a luxurious dessert that'll complement any meal.
Photo by Serghei Savchiuc on Unsplash
7. Chips and Salsa
Whenever you've got the munchies, is there any snack more reliable than chips and salsa? It just hits every time! That's because the crunchy saltiness of the chips is the perfect vehicle for transporting that spicy and acidic salsa directly into your mouth. The contrast in textures and flavours will always have you going back in for another bite.
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8. Apples and Cinnamon
Often used in a variety of desserts like pies, tarts, or strudels, the pairing of apples and cinnamon is a familiar flavour that everyone loves and appreciates. The smell and taste instantly reminds us of home-baked goodies! The tartness of the apples is perfectly balanced by the warm, sweet cinnamon, all coming together to create something comforting and satisfying.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
9. Steak and Red Wine
To all you classy and refined eaters out there, could you ever go without a glass of red wine when enjoying your perfectly cooked steak? We think not! Wonderfully paired so that the wine helps cut through the fattiness of the steak, your expensive steak dinner is always made better thanks to this pairing.
Photo by Vera Davidova on Unsplash
10. Salmon and Dill
A popular combination that highlights the flavours of the fish, dill and salmon are unexpected buddies that just make everything better. After all, the oily rich taste of the salmon is wonderfully offset by the fresh, slightly anise-like flavour of the dill.
Photo by Hyeonyoung Yang on Unsplash
11. Coffee and Chocolate
For those who don't love their desserts too sweet, coffee and chocolate is likely your favourite flavour pairing. The deep, bitter taste of a good coffee becomes perfection when paired with a sweet and rich chocolate; the best way to describe this combo is complete harmony! Each side elevates the flavours of the other, creating an absolutely indulgent experience that's hard to resist.
Photo by Vladimir Gladkov on Unsplash
12. Mango and Sticky Rice
A beloved dessert in Thai cuisine, one taste is all you need to understand why this odd pairing of mango and sticky rice works so well. Fruit and rice? You may be skeptical at first, but the sweetness of the mango when paired with the creamy, slightly salty sticky rice creates a whole new beast. The coconut milk flavour in the rice really ties everything together too!
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
13. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Hearty, soul-warming, and reminding us of home, spaghetti and meatballs were just meant to be together. Just saying "spaghetti" and "meatball" on its own doesn't even sound right! Because when you pair those meaty, savory meatballs in that tangy and sweet tomato sauce, you've got something beyond delicious.
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
14. Avocado and Toast
Brought to life in recent years, the combination of avocado and toast was a unique find that became a breakfast staple. We bet there's a possibility you had this for breakfast yourself today! Simple yet delicious, that's how this pairing shines; the creamy richness of the avocado is perfect against the crisp, toasty bread. The textures bounce off each other wonderfully, with the flavours blending together nicely too.
Photo by Douglas Bagg on Unsplash
15. Bagels and Lox
A New York staple, bagels and lox is a classic combo you can easily find at any bagel shop. Getting a taste of that chewy, freshly made bagel with the salty, silky texture of the smoked salmon is absolutely divine. We don't know who thought of pairing these two ingredients together, but we're sure glad they were smart enough to do so.
Photo by Christine Siracusa on Unsplash
16. Pesto and Pasta
We love how pasta can be super simple yet taste so complex and delicious - that's exactly what pesto and pasta is. Combining the fresh, aromatic basil with garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil to create the perfect pesto sauce, the entire thing is suddenly elevated when thrown on some perfectly al dente pasta.
Photo by Victoria Aleksandrova on Unsplash
17. BBQ Ribs and Coleslaw
We bet you're already drooling just hearing the sound of BBQ ribs and coleslaw. That's because these two dishes were made for each other! Just picture this - you take a big bite of some smoky, tender BBQ ribs before following it up with some crisp, tangy, and fresh coleslaw that levels out all that richness. Perfection, right?
Image by Amanda Whitlatch from Pixabay
18. Garlic Bread and Spaghetti
We love carbs over here! Even though spaghetti is so filling on its own, it's not surprising that we always love it with a side of garlic bread. Why? Because the buttery, garlicky bread is the best companion for a plate of spaghetti! Dipping that garlic bread into the rich, tomato-based sauce is truly the most perfect bite you could ever ask for.
Photo by Sarang Pande on Unsplash
19. Hummus and Pita
Creamy, earthy, and an amazing combination of textures, hummus and soft pita bread is easily a top tier snack. It's a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, but really, it's appreciated across the globe. The best part is? This delightful pairing is also a nutritious option you can enjoy!
Photo by Corey Watson on Unsplash
20. Fried Chicken and Waffles
Who knew fried chicken would be so good for breakfast with some waffles? That salty, crispy fried chicken that you love so much is brought to new heights when paired with some fluffy, freshly-made waffles. The contrast in textures and flavours (we love that sweet and salty!) is so amazing, it'll have you ready to tackle any day.
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