What to Eat With Different Foods for Best Flavor

The Importance of What You Eat With

What you choose to eat with your meals can have a big impact on the nutrition, flavor, and even enjoyment of your food. The sides, condiments, and beverages you select to accompany your main dishes play an integral role in the overall dining experience.

Pairing Foods for Nutritional Benefits

Making smart pairing decisions can lead to extra nutritional perks. For example, adding some healthy fats like avocado or olive oil to salads helps your body best absorb fat-soluble vitamins from veggies. Similarly, squeezing some citrus over greens aids the absorption of iron. You can also achieve a more complete protein profile by pairing certain plant-based foods, like rice and beans.

Complementing and Contrasting Flavors

Thoughtfully choosing what to eat with particular foods also brings out their best tastes. The acidity of vinaigrettes and citrus builds on the hearty flavor of grains and greens. Cool, creamy dips act as refreshing contrasts to hot, spicy mains. Sweet jams and chutneys satisfy cravings when served with savory dishes. The options are endless when you understand basic flavor profiles.

Enhancing the Overall Dining Experience

Considering what you eat with different recipes or meals goes beyond nutritional optimization and complementary tastes. Condiments can add exciting textures, like the crunch of pickled veggies. Dip pairings may bring some fun interactivity to the dining table, like fondue pots or build-your-own taco stations. Creative drink pairings can also help elevate your food, like offering specific wine or beer recommendations.

Choosing Condiments and Sides

With so many choices available, choosing condiments and side dishes may seem overwhelming. But keeping a few helpful guidelines in mind makes the process much more manageable.

Consider Dietary Needs and Restrictions

When exploring what to eat with different dishes, always keep your own nutritional needs and dietary restrictions at the forefront. If you have food allergies or intolerances, check labels carefully to avoid unsafe ingredients. Those monitoring calories, carbs, or other facets of their diet should account for condiments and sides in their totals.

Look for Nutrient Density

While garnishes and accompaniments often contain fewer nutrients than main courses, they can still contribute valuable vitamins, minerals, fiber and healthy fats. When possible, choose vegetable-based sides over simple starches, sprinkle seeds or nuts onto dishes, and explore interesting new greens like kale instead of lettuce.

Keep Variety and Balance in Mind

As you determine what to eat with different meals, shoot for overall dietary variety and balance across days and weeks. For example, alternate between tartar sauce and ketchup with fish dishes, and complement pastas with both leafy salads and roasted vegetables. This kind of mix-and-match approach helps support health and fights nutritional boredom.

Pairing Specific Food Categories

Understanding what tends to complement different major food groups provides excellent guidance when putting together meals.

Proteins

Hearty proteins like meat, fish, eggs and plant-based alternates go well with cheese, salt, pepper and spice blends. Mustard and horseradish add punch, while mushrooms, onions and roasted veggies lend savory depth. Starchier sides like potatoes, rice and bread balance out proteins’ denseness.

Fruits

The natural sweetness of various fruits matches nicely with creamy dairy products. Yogurt, cottage cheese and even soft cheeses make refreshing dips and toppings. Nut butters also complement fruits’ flavors. For more formal desserts, custards, tarts, crumbles and whipped cream bring out fruits’ best qualities.

Vegetables

Veggies’ diversity allows for endless flavor combinations. Fresh herbs, garlic, oils, nuts, seeds, vinegars and citrus all accentuate produce without overpowering it. Heartier varieties, like squash and sweet potatoes, taste delicious with maple syrup, brown sugar, marshmallows or breadcrumbs. Don’t forget cooling ranch dip and hummus for lighter crudités.

Grains

Pairing options depend on the grain itself. Bread goes with nearly everything. Hearty whole grains like brown rice, farro and barley match well with lean proteins, mushrooms and savory seasonings. Lightly dressed greens prevent heavy starchiness. Oats tend toward classic breakfast combinations, including fresh and dried fruits, nuts, maple syrup and milk.

Trying Global Flavor Combinations

Some of the most renowned flavor pairings internationally also provide inspiration for what to eat with simple dishes to make them exceptional. Blend cultural influences at home.

Mexican - Rice, Beans and More

The rice and bean duo acts as a perfect protein and satisfying base for Mexican food. Load them up with salsa, guacamole, queso, lettuce, tomato and onion. Wrap into tortillas or tostadas, or serve with crispy tortilla chips. Emphasize favorites like avocado, lime, cilantro and spicy peppers.

Italian - Wine and Cheese

Few partnerships better express taste and terroir than Italian wine, cheese and charcuterie. Play with pairings of Chianti and Parmesan, Barolo and Gorgonzola, Chardonnay and Fontina. Accent with olive oil, fig jam, grapes, nuts, herbs and pickled vegetables. Feast, reflect and discuss.

Indian - Yogurt and Spice

Cooling yogurt beautifully balances Indian food’s fiery spice profiles. Beyond curries, try fruit- or veggie-based lassis blended with aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric and ginger. Or make a quick raita dip of mint, cucumber and mango. Douse liberally or contrast measured spoonfuls to temper heat.

Thai - Lime, Fish Sauce and Herbs

In Thailand, fixed condiment combos add the final flourish to dishes. At western tables, bottle these flavor triple threats for instant zing. Mix chili garlic sauce, lime juice and soy sauce for dipping. Combine lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and chilies. Or blend fish sauce, lime juice, vinegar, garlic and mint or cilantro. Adjust to preferred potency.

Condiment and Sauce Suggestions

If you find yourself asking “what should I eat this with?” about leftovers or basic pantry meals, check out these condiment and sauce recommendations to instantly elevate flavors.

For Vegetables

Ranch Dip

Hummus

Guacamole

Salsa

Cheese Sauce

Hollandaise

For Chicken

Barbecue Sauce

Honey Mustard

Plum Sauce

Teriyaki Marinade

Mango Chutney

Green Curry

For Fish

Tartar Sauce

Cocktail Sauce

Remoulade

Puttanesca Sauce

Lemon Butter

Miso Glaze

For Beef

Horseradish Cream

Chimichurri

Béarnaise Sauce

Au Poivre Sauce

Red Wine Reduction

Onion Gravy

With a well-stocked condiment shelf, you’re never far from an easy flavor upgrade. Get creative with combinations and customizable additions.

Dips for Snacking and Appetizers

Serving an array of dips provides the perfect starting point or centerpiece for more casual dining with friends. Whip up one or more for your next gathering.

Classic French Onion Dip

Caramelized onions blended with cool sour cream and cream cheese, with a touch of funky Parmesan. The ideal match for hearty potato chips.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip

Warm, cheesy and loaded with vegetables. The tang of sour cream and mayo cuts through the richness. Scoop generously with pita chips or tear up bread.

Cool Ranch Dip

Herby and zesty, ranch cools the palate. Bottled is convenient, but homemade has far superior flavor. Dunk all your crunchy favorites or get creative with celery sticks and jicama rounds.

Chunky Guacamole

Creamy, cool and packed with nutrition. Ripe avocados need only acid, salt, veggies for crunch and desired heat. Serve with thick corn chips or tortilla rounds.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Chickpeas deliver protein, while tahini and olive oil provide healthy fats. Roasted veggies add depth and color. Show off garnishes like paprika, pine nuts and olive oil with veggie dippers.

Dips make fantastic vehicles for playing with new flavor combinations. Herbs, spices, citrus and other fresh ingredients transform basic recipes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.