You’d be surprised how some of the greatest culinary discoveries started with an unlikely pairing. While peanut butter and jelly made a lot of sense, there’s a whole different world than the two weird pairings. They may sound insane, but trust us, they’re the best you’ve ever had since that Thanksgiving turkey from last year. With that, here are the 13 strange food pairings you’d love or hate, but you can’t deny, they’re working wonders.
13. Grilled Cheese and Apple
Prepare to have your grilled cheese world rocked. Trust us when we say that adding a few thin slices of a tart, crisp apple to your next grilled cheese sandwich is a game-changer. Imagine the apple’s sweetness and acidity cut through the melted cheese. It’s a simple and easy addition that adds a surprising amount of comfort as you wonder why you never tried them before.
12. Strawberries and Basil
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Step aside, mint, as there’s a new food combo coming. While it might sound like an unlikely duo, the combination of sweet, juicy strawberries and aromatic basil that’s a bit peppery is a match made in heaven. The basil’s savory notes just matched the strawberry’s sweetness, which may be a confusing flavor profile at first. Well, this isn’t just a random pairing, as you’ll likely see them in Italian cuisine with their salads and desserts.
11. Rice and Ketchup
This childlike combination is a surprisingly effective way to transform a bland bowl of rice into a satisfying meal. The magic lies in the ketchup’s flavor, which is sweet and tangy. The taste is familiar with the umami quality, thanks to tomatoes. Try it with leftover rice, or you can add a fried egg for a different texture.
10. Popcorn and Hot Sauce
Forget the butter and salt in your popcorn. Instead, upgrade it further with hot sauce. That’s right, drizzle hot sauce over your popcorn for a late-night experiment. The bland, airy crunch of popcorn makes it the perfect pair for a fiery hot sauce. The best part? You can customize its spice intensity just like a buffalo sauce with chicken wings. Just use a fork as they’re bound to get messy.
9. Cucumber and Honey
This Lithuanian-inspired snack takes the cucumber to a whole new level. We’re used to seeing cucumbers in salads, but pairing them with honey unlocks a surprisingly good flavor. The crisp and slightly bitter notes of cucumber are balanced with honey. See for yourself or add the flavor as an upgrade to your iced tea.
8. Pineapple on Pizza
Love it or hate it, pineapple goes well in pizza. There’s a reason why this popular, weird pairing has fans who would forever defend Hawaiian pizza. The sweet and tangy flavor of pineapple pairs best with the salty and flavor-rich pizza. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which helps to break down the proteins in the ham and cheese, making them more flavorful. The next time someone tries to tell you that pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza, you can hit them with some science.
7. Peanut Butter and Hamburgers
There’s a new condiment in town, and it’s been hiding in your pantry all along. If you’re looking for something new, try spreading a generous layer of peanut butter on your next hamburger. The rich, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor of the peanut butter complements the beefiness of the hamburger patty. Just think of it as a deconstructed satay burger. For an extra layer of flavor and texture, try adding a few slices of crispy bacon and chili garlic sauce.
6. Apple Pie and Cheese
In some parts of the US, particularly New England, serving a slice of apple pie with a sharp cheddar cheese is a tradition. The sharp and salty notes of the cheddar provide a contrast to the gooey spiced apple filling. It’s a combination that might sound strange at first, but it makes perfect sense when you think about it. The cheese cuts through the sweetness of the pie, preventing it from cloying. The key is to use a good-quality, sharp cheddar.
5. Ice Cream and Fries
Trust us, ice cream and fries are the ultimate comfort food after a long day. The science behind this seemingly simple pleasure is surprisingly complex. The contrasting temperatures of the hot fry and cold milkshake or ice cream create a sensory experience that is both exciting and satisfying. The salt on the fries enhances the sweetness of the ice cream, while the fat in the ice cream coats your tongue. But the magic doesn’t stop there. The combination of sugar and fat in this pairing triggers the release of dopamine.
4. Coffee and Duck
This is a pairing that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about coffee. We’re used to drinking it, but using it as a marinade for duck is unexplainable. Well, hear us out as the rich, bitter, and slightly acidic flavor of the coffee is the perfect complement to the fatty and savory flavor of the duck. Try adding warm spices like cinnamon or star anise as a marinade.
3. Chocolate and Cheese
Believe it or not, chocolate and cheese are a match made in heaven. The key to this unlikely pairing lies in their shared flavor compounds. Both chocolate and cheese contain pyrazines, which are responsible for their roasted, nutty, and sometimes earthy flavors. They also share a compound called methyl-2-butenal, which features a malty aroma. Try pairing a dark, bitter chocolate with blue cheese.
2. Watermelon and Feta
This classic Greek combination is a flavor balance. Just imagine the refreshing watermelon is the perfect foil for the salty and briny feta cheese. The sweetness of the watermelon also enhances the savory notes of the feta, while the cheese’s saltiness brings out the melon’s natural sweetness. Add a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of fresh mint, and a squeeze of lime juice. This will add another layer of flavor to the dish.
1. Turmeric and Black Pepper
Turmeric has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, is responsible for most of its health benefits. However, curcumin is poorly absorbed by the body on its own. Meanwhile, black pepper contains piperine, which has been shown to increase the bioavailability of curcumin by up to 2,000%. Basically, adding a pinch of black pepper to your turmeric can increase its health benefits. You can even add this combination to a variety of dishes like curries and soups.