Two food groups. Unlimited pairings. Find the fruit that goes well with your favorite protein and make a colorful, healthy plate that even picky eaters will love.
There’s no question in our minds — colorful plates are more delicious. And it’s not just because they make for beautiful #HelloFreshPics, though that’d normally be enough to sway us.
This is why we eat the rainbow every chance we get: each bright color gives our bodies different kinds of healthy ingredients. There are many good things about vegetables and leafy greens, and we’d never pass up a chance to eat them. But today? We’re all about the bright colors we get from cooking with fruit. Because there’s nothing more kid-friendly than a deliciously sweet ingredient to make that protein-packed chicken even yummier.
Beef is a hearty, savory protein that can stand up to bold flavors But sometimes beef’s richness needs a little brightening with something fruity and sweet The key is finding fruits with the right balance of sweetness, acidity and juiciness to complement beef’s robust profile.
After researching expert chefs’ recommendations. here are the top 10 fruits that pair deliciously with various beef dishes
1. Peaches
Juicy, sweet peaches have enough flavor and moisture to balance beef’s fattiness. Grilled peaches caramelize beautifully and pair well with flank or skirt steak. Fresh peach salsa also livens up burgers, tacos and other ground beef dishes.
2. Plums
Plums contain the ideal sweet-tart flavor combo to match beef. They shine in chutneys, plum sauce, glazes and salsas for steak, meatballs and prime rib. Grilling plums concentrates their taste, allowing them to hold up to beef.
3. Strawberries
Although delicate, strawberries’ sweet-tart balance works with rich meats. Their juice cuts through beef’s richness, especially in spinach-strawberry salads with steak. Strawberry glazes on meatloaf or kabobs are also excellent.
4. Cherries
Both sweet and sour cherries complement beef’s heartiness. A cherry-chipotle barbecue sauce gives great flavor to tri-tip or brisket. Cherry chimichurri adds sweetness to grilled steak. Roasted cherries lend pops of sweetness to burgers.
5. Blackberries
Earthy, jammy blackberries handle beef’s boldness well. They mix into savory sauces for steak or roast. Toss blackberries and sliced steak together in spinach salad for lovely contrast. Blackberry bursts in burgers are nice too.
6. Blueberries
Blueberries’ sweet/tart juice balances beef beautifully. Blend blueberries into barbecue sauce for grilled steak or burgers. A blueberry-balsamic reduction on tenderloin is amazing. Possibilities are endless!
7. Mangoes
Mango’s tropical sweetness with a touch of acidity finds harmony with beef. Mango salsa livens up steak tacos and fajitas. A mango chutney burger is so flavorful! Grilled mangoes pair great with kabobs.
8. Pineapple
Pineapple’s classic tropical sweet-tart juice cuts beef’s richness. Grilled pineapple rings alongside steak, meatballs or kabobs are amazing. Pineapple also shines in salsas and glazes atop beef.
9. Tomatoes
Technically a fruit, tomatoes offer moisture and bright acidic balance. Sliced tomatoes in burgers, sandwiches or steak salads work well. Fresh tomato salsa tops tacos and Tex-Mex dishes nicely.
10. Oranges
Sweet oranges have enough acidity to offset beef. Try steak salad with oranges and red onion. Orange chimichurri provides great citrus zing on grilled beef. Orange juice enhances marinades too.
Tips for Pairing Beef and Fruit:
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Grill, roast or saute firmer fruits like peaches, pineapple and tomatoes to caramelize natural sugars and intensify flavors.
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softer berries and stone fruits work best fresh in salsas or gentle sauces, as cooking can overwhelm them.
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Choose sweeter, juicy fruits like mangoes, cherries and oranges to balance beef. Overly tart fruits clash.
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Add fruits to salads featuring sliced grilled steak. Sweetness balances meat richness.
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When making chutneys, salsas or sauces, add fruits in last to preserve texture and avoid overcooking.
With the right fruits, beef and fruit combinations can be absolutely mouthwatering! The sweet fruity flavors balance and brighten beef’s hearty richness gorgeously. Grilling or roasting fruits concentrates their natural sugars and acidity to pair perfectly with beef.
Fruity salsas, chutneys, glazes poured over steak or grinds, and salads with sliced grilled beef and fresh fruits are all amazing ways to unite these flavors. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new fruit and beef pairings this summer for some delicious barbecue and grilling!
Cooking your fruit and meat
With virtually limitless combos, you won’t have any trouble finding trusty, kid-friendly recipes for these strategic ingredients. You know, like these.
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Picking your fruit and meat
Even though these two food groups don’t seem to go well together, you can pretty much pair any two to make a tasty combination. The fruit’s natural sweetness gives the meat new, tasty flavors. It’s these unexpected bites that make kids smile as they walk away from their plates.
You truly can’t go wrong when it comes to pairing fruit and meat. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the colorful choices, just break out your feel-good apron and refer to some of our favorites with the handy chart above.
This Steak Is Illegal In The United States…
FAQ
What fruits pair well with meat?
What flavors go well with beef?
What fruit compliments steak?
Can you mix fruit with meat?
What fruit goes well with beef?
Beef has a strong taste that pairs well with sweeter stronger fruit such as peaches, pineapple, kiwi fruit, plums, prunes, apricots and mangoes. Citrus and the more acidic fruits are less suitable. Try these recipe ideas to explore how you can combine fruits with meats for delightful dishes.
What are some great fruits to eat?
All fruits are very healthy, and each has a unique combination of vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds. Choosing the best one will depend on which region you live in and the time of year, as seasonal and fresh fruits are always the best option. Some of the great options we have in Brazil are: banana, apple, mango, grape, strawberry, guava, jabuticaba, cashew, pineapple, passion fruit, orange, tangerine, pear, peach, melon and watermelon.
What fruit goes well with steak?
Rib ‘n Reef Steakhouse also recommends pairing steak with mango for its “sweet, tangy flavor,” and if you prefer tropical fruit over citrus, pineapple is another option. My Chicago Steak vouches for pineapple as one of the best fruits to grill and says you can combine multiple grilled fruits into a fruit salad to accompany your steak.
Does fruit go well with meat?
Fruit often combines well with meat dishes, adding a sweetness (and sometimes tartness) that acts as a contrast to the meat. After all, that difference between sweet and salty is becoming increasingly popular, so why not include it in the main course of a meal.