The Ultimate Food Pairing Chart: 45 Combinations to Elevate Your Meals

In The Kitchen

It's always fun to push the boundaries of flavor. The right combination can turn a simple dish into something really special.

I love the traditional pairings, but I also love combining new flavors, so I put together a food pairing chart to get your creative juices flowing. Whether you're looking for a classic duo or an adventurous new taste experience, this chart is your new kitchen cheat sheet to inspire your next creation.

Let's get cooking!

Part 1: The Classic Combos - Food Pairing Chart

These are the tried-and-true pairings that form the bedrock of great cooking. They are popular for a reason—they just work!

Flavor Profile	Main Ingredient/Dish	The Perfect Food Pairing
Sweet & Salty	Prosciutto	Fresh Cantaloupe or Figs
Earthy & Tangy	Roasted Beets	Crumbled Goat Cheese & Walnuts
Rich & Pungent	Grilled Ribeye Steak	Blue Cheese Butter
Creamy & Acidic	Avocado	Tomato, Lime Juice & Cilantro
Spicy & Cooling	Spicy Lamb Curry	Cucumber & Mint Raita
Herbaceous & Savory	Roast Chicken	Rosemary & Roasted Garlic
Smoky & Creamy	Smoked Salmon	Cream Cheese & Fresh Dill
Fruity & Hearty	Pork Chops or Roast Pork	Spiced Apple Sauce
Green & Nutty	Grilled Asparagus	Toasted Slivered Almonds
Decadent & Spicy	Dark Chocolate (70%+)	A pinch of Chili or Cayenne Powder
Tart & Sweet	Rhubarb	Fresh Strawberries
Briny & Sharp	Fresh Oysters	Mignonette Sauce (Shallots & Vinegar)
Earthy & Umami	Sautéed Mushrooms	Shaved Parmesan & Parsley
Zesty & Sweet	Lemon Tart	Fresh Raspberries
Creamy & Crunchy	Butternut Squash Soup	Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)
Savory & Sweet	Southern Fried Chicken	Waffles & Maple Syrup
Fresh & Herbaceous	Grilled White Fish (e.g., Branzino)	Charred Lemon & Thyme
Tropical & Creamy	Mango Slices	Coconut Sticky Rice
Classic & Aromatic	Fresh Tomatoes	Basil & Fresh Mozzarella
Luxurious & Earthy	Seared Sea Scallops	Black Truffle Shavings or Oil
Hearty & Bright	Lentil Soup	A generous squeeze of Fresh Lemon Juice
Smoky & Hearty	Spicy Chorizo	Sautéed Potatoes & Onion
Floral & Sweet	Panna Cotta or Shortbread	A drizzle of Lavender-infused Honey
Umami & Nutty	Miso-Glazed Eggplant	Toasted Sesame Seeds & Scallions
Rich & Fruity	Duck Confit	Tart Cherry Sauce

Part 2: Adventurous Pairings - Food Pairing Chart

Ready to walk on the wild side? These combinations play with unexpected textures, temperatures, and flavors to create something truly memorable.

Flavor Profile	Main Ingredient/Dish	The Perfect Food Pairing
Salty, Sweet & Fresh	Watermelon Chunks	Feta Cheese, Fresh Mint & Olives
Sweet, Savory & Aromatic	Seared Scallops	Brown Butter infused with Vanilla Bean
Rich, Umami & Acidic	Roasted Bone Marrow	Parsley, Caper & Shallot Salad
Earthy, Spicy & Creamy	Roasted Carrots	Harissa-spiced Yogurt
Briny, Cold & Tart	Fresh Oysters	Green Apple Granita
Decadent & Unexpected	Dark Chocolate Mousse	Ripe Avocado (used as the base)
Spicy, Warm & Pungent	Gingerbread or Spice Cake	A slice of Stilton or Blue Cheese
Earthy, Umami & Sweet	Roasted Sweet Potato	Miso-infused Butter
Savory, Crispy & Funky	Brussels Sprouts	Fish Sauce Vinaigrette & Peanuts
Sharp & Sweet	Slice of Warm Apple Pie	A slice of Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Rich, Tender & Smoky	Grilled Octopus	Smoked Paprika & White Bean Purée
Funky, Spicy & Gooey	Grilled Cheese Sandwich	Kimchi
Floral & Anise	Saffron Risotto	A light dusting of Licorice Powder
Sweet, Vegetal & Piquant	Fresh English Peas	Wasabi-Avocado Purée
Salty, Grilled & Juicy	Grilled Halloumi Cheese	Cubed Watermelon & Balsamic Glaze
Earthy, Cured & Sharp	Beetroot-Cured Salmon	Horseradish Cream
Sweet & Savory	Coffee-Rubbed Pork Ribs	Pickled Peaches
Nutty, Roasted & Tart	Roasted Cauliflower	Tahini Drizzle & Pomegranate Seeds
Rich, Savory & Bright	Foie Gras Torchon	Strawberry-Balsamic Compote
Crispy, Fatty & Sweet-Heat	Crispy Chicken Skin	A generous drizzle of Hot Honey

What do you think?  What are you going to try next?  Are there combinations I missed?

Share your thoughts below and what you’ve tried.

You can download the Food Pairing Chart here.

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Jen Vondenbrink is a cooking, food, and lifestyle blogger at Appetite for Life since 2020.  Jen Vondenbrink has over 35 years of professional cooking experience apprenticing with local pastry and artisan bread makers, working for culinary innovator J. Bildner & Sons in Boston, as well as Starbucks Coffee Company in Seattle, Washington. Jen Vondenbrink has published cookbooks such as Thanksgiving Recipes From Home, Fun Summer Recipes, and the Cozy Soup Cookbook.  Jen Vondenbrink also hosts the Appetite for Life Cooking Club, where members get insights to enhance their cooking.  Jen Vondenbrink offers cooking classes and cooking coaching, working one-on-one with people to strengthen their cooking knowledge and skills.