Is there anything you can’t eat without something else?
Like, would you eat popcorn without butter and salt, or salsa without chips?
The food pairings make the meal, don’t they? It’s impossible to eat some foods without their beloved counterpart.
The Best Food Pairings
That got me thinking – what are the best food pairings humans ever created?
And I’ve got answers. These might not rise to the level of the most impressive feats of human ingenuity, but they come close.
Peanut Butter and Jelly
You can’t beat creamy peanut butter paired with gooey jelly for a delicious treat reminding us of our childhoods.
We even say things go together like peanut butter & jelly because this food pairing is just that good.
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
We don’t understand the mechanics of why a toasty grilled cheese pair perfectly with tomato soup, especially when you’re sick, but we wouldn’t have anything else.
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
When was the last time you had mashed potatoes without gravy?
They go together so perfectly that you rarely have one without the other.
Salami and Cream Cheese
The slight tang of salami pairs perfectly with the cool creaminess of cream cheese.
Salami rolls filled with cream cheese make a perfect party appetizer too!
Chips and Sandwiches
I can’t even eat a sandwich without the delightful crisp of a potato chip.
Some folks literally put the chips on the sandwich, but I can’t do that because they get soggy. The crispiness makes the pairing work.
Burger and Fries
Most burgers automatically come with fries, showing how ingrained in our culture the delicious pairing has become.
But, I could also do chips with burgers, especially at a BBQ.
Cheese and Crackers
What better way to sample various cheeses than with an edible serving platter?
Crackers are also perfect for the wide variety of cheese spreads and dips available. I want to try them all!
Spaghetti and Meatballs
You could have vegetarian spaghetti, but the dish wouldn’t be the same without the mouthwatering spiced balls of meat.
Eggs and Bacon
Eggs and bacon stand strong as the breakfast pairing of champions.
The crisp bacon is a perfect complement to the gooey eggs however you like them.
Fish and Chips
The British perfected a perfect pairing of fried delicacies.
Fried fish and potatoes go together so well that we’ll overlook the British definition of the word “chip.”
Biscuits and Gravy
For a breakfast feast filled with carbs and protein, smother your biscuits in creamy sausage gravy.
This food pairing may be quintessentially American, but I think visitors from other countries will love it just as much.
Rice and Beans
The epitome of food pairings for poorer families offers loads of nutrients for reasonable prices.
It’s as simple as it is delicious.
Bagel and Cream Cheese
I don’t know who first decided to smear cream cheese on their chewy bagel, but that genius started a trend that can’t be stopped.
The key to my heart is a toasted sesame seed bagel with cream cheese.
Salt and Caramel
There’s something about the salty-sweet combo that teases the senses in the most delightful way.
Tortilla Chips and Salsa
Sit down, guac fans.
Salsa will forever be a tortilla chip’s first love.
Pork and Beans
The childhood staple continues to please as one of the most iconic food pairings ever invented.
There’s even a song about it.
Chicken and Waffles
Who thought pairing a standard dinner dish with a traditional breakfast dish would yield such fantastic results?
The sweet & savory combo is a delight for out tastebuds.
Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil
Okay, we’re cheating a little here, but this lovely three-way pairing makes every Italian dish better.
Cheese and Almost Anything
Why is cheese so good? It makes an iconic pairing with nearly anything you put it with.
Cheese and wine, cheese and apples, cheesecake…the sky’s the limit for pairing this versatile food.
Bonus: Chips and Pizza
Now for the pairing you didn’t know you needed.
Grab a bag of potato chips the next time you sit down with a greasy pizza.
Forewarning: You’ll never be able to eat pizza without chips again.
The Best Potato Chip Pairings
You didn’t know you needed this ultimate list of potato chip pairings! They’re all just as good as the pizza & chips combo above!
The Best Frugal Food Hacks to Spice Up the Cheapest Meals
Store-bought mac & cheese, top ramen, and canned foods are some of the cheapest meals you can get. However, they get boring fast.
But hey, since we’re talking about food pairings, here’s what you can add to spice up these cheap staples!