20 Best Vegetarian Flavour Combinations

When I first went vegetarian, I made a lot of mistakes. Like, a lot.

One of the major ones was cutting out the meat and not replacing it properly. I was basically eating the same meals but without the meat.

That sucked. The meals were bland, and I was severely lacking protein (and I didn’t realise how serious that was at the time).

I also just threw together stuff I had in the kitchen. Sometimes it worked and I made a new discovery. Most times it didn’t and I just ate something weird.

The point of this article is to help you make the most of what you’ve got, and create great meals from scratch every single time.

Vegetarian Food Pairings

If you (or whoever you’re cooking for) wants to enjoy the vegetarian lifestyle, it’s all about taste.

You’ve got to get the flavour combinations right! Luckily, it’s easy when you know how.

Take tomato and basil, for example.

These two were meant to be together. Their plants even grow better when planted next to each other!

Whether you’re a beginner vegetarian or a seasoned pro, try designing meals based around these classic food combinations.

I’ll even add in some ready-made recipes to help you out if you’re stuck for inspiration!

The best vegetarian flavour combinations and how to use them

1. Tomato and Basil: my personal favourite. No wonder pizza tastes so good…

My wife introduced me to all sorts of tomato-basil combos when we were first dating (and cooking together) and I never looked back.

Weirdly, when she was pregnant she went off it completely and it took her months to enjoy it again.

Why it works: Tomato and basil both contain the aroma compound linalool, enhancing each other’s sweetness and fragrance, resulting in a chemically harmonious pairing.

Try it: on this tomato-mozzarella bread or in tomato-basil soup.

2. Eggplant (aubergine) and Tomato: another classic that’s both cheap and filling (and called different things in different countries!).

It’s a rich, hearty combination ideal for stews, pasta sauces, and layered dishes.

Why it works: Eggplant’s creamy texture perfectly absorbs tomato’s glutamic acid (umami) and sweetness, balancing flavors and creating depth in dishes.

Try it: Moussaka or spaghetti with arrabbiata sauce.

3. Sweet Potato and Feta: Sweet meets salty, offering a lovely contrast in salads, baked dishes, and savoury tarts.

Why it works: Sweet potatoes’ natural sugars contrast feta’s salty, tangy flavor, creating an appealing balance between sweetness and acidity.

Try it: My fave is this fool-proof baked feta and sweet potato dish.

4. Chickpeas and Tahini: A smooth, creamy, protein-rich duo essential for hummus, falafel wraps, and certain salads.

Why it works: The combination of chickpeas and tahini works because tahini’s fatty, creamy texture complements chickpeas’ starchiness, enhancing the smooth, nutty taste essential in Middle Eastern cuisine.

Try it: Here’s a falafel dish with ‘fake’ tahini sauce!

5. Spinach and Feta: To be honest, I’m not usually a spinach fan, but with feta it goes so well!

Why it works: Spinach’s earthy flavor is balanced by feta’s salty and tangy taste, enhancing overall taste complexity.

Try it: Try this feta-spinach pancake and you’ll see what I mean!

6. Black Beans and Corn: A classic Mexican-inspired combo, and great for salads, soups and chilis.

Why it works: Corn’s sweetness balances black beans’ earthy, savory profile, providing complementary amino acids that make this combo nutritionally complete.

Try it: Try this blackbean and corn salad if you haven’t already!

7. Apple and Cinnamon: I’m an absolute sucker for this one. I’m not a very ‘sweet’ person overall, but this one gets me everytime!

Sweet apples and warming cinnamon—a match made in dessert heaven, and ideal for pies, crumbles, and oatmeal.

Why it works: Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde, enhancing apple’s sweetness by balancing and deepening its fruity flavor notes.

Try it: Check out this baked apple and cinnamon dessert – it’s one of the first we ever released!

8. Garlic and Butter: You know this one as soon as you smell it. Rich, savoury, and versatile, it can enhance everything from pasta, to garlic bread, sautéed vegetables, and sauces!

Why it works: Garlic’s pungent, sulfuric compounds blend smoothly with butter’s rich fats, intensifying the savory depth and aromatic complexity of dishes.

Try it in: this tomato and garlic butter is my take-to parties, with a couple of fresh baguettes. Hard to beat.

9. Mushrooms and Cream. I’m definitely not a mushroom fan, but even I will admit these smell SO GOOD when my wife cooks them.

Why it works: Cream’s rich, fatty texture enhances mushrooms’ deep umami flavor, allowing the savory glutamate compounds to shine and create indulgent, comforting dishes.

Try it in: Mushrooms and Cream!

10. Peanut Butter and Banana: Nutty and sweet, this combination is perfect for smoothies, sandwiches, snacks, and breakfast bowls. It can even overpower the taste of spinach.

Why it works: Peanut butter’s salty creaminess enhances banana’s sweet flavor, creating a satisfying and nutritious combination perfect for snacks and smoothies.

Try it in: this spinach-banana super-smoothie.

11. Avocado and Lime: Creamy avocado lifted by tangy lime, fantastic in salads, guacamole, tacos, and toast toppings.

Why it works: Lime’s acidity brightens and balances avocado’s rich creaminess, creating a smooth yet explosive flavour.

Try it in: this sweet potato salad with avocado and lime.

12. Mango and Coconut: Tropical, refreshing flavors that shine in smoothies, desserts, curries, and chia puddings.

Why it works: Mango’s fruity sweetness pairs perfectly with coconut’s creamy richness, creating a harmonious ‘tropical’ flavour.

Try it in: mango and coconut curry.

13. Cheese and Honey: Savoury cheese elevated by sweet honey, ideal for cheese boards, appetizers, grilled sandwiches, and salads.

I have a cheeseboard with red wine on my birthday every year and it rocks.

Why it works: Honey’s sweet complexity beautifully complements savory cheese, enhancing its richness and flavor depth.

Try it in: this cheese salad (but swap the maple syrup for honey)

14. Lemon and Dill: Fresh, light, and perfect for dressings, marinades, potato dishes, and vegetable sautés.

Why it works: Lemon’s fresh, sharp acidity highlights dill’s mild, herbaceous notes, creating a bright pairing ideal in salads and marinades.

Try it in: Tiktok smashed potatoes.

15. Carrot and Ginger: A vibrant combo bringing warmth and sweetness, perfect in soups, juices, roasted vegetables, and stir-fries.

Why it works: Ginger’s warm spice enhances carrot’s natural sweetness, creating a flavourful and aromatic combination.

Try it in: a super-speedy carrot and ginger soup.

16. Chocolate and Coffee: Rich and deep, a favourite pairing for desserts, cakes, mousses, brownies, and drinks.

Why it works: Coffee’s bitterness highlights and deepens chocolate’s rich sweetness, making it irresistible in desserts and drinks.

Try it in: Mocha oatmeal (using cocoa powder)

17. Blue Cheese and Pear: Sharp blue cheese balanced with sweet, juicy pears, perfect in sophisticated salads, appetizers, and pizza toppings.

Why it works: Sweet pears balance the sharp tang of blue cheese, creating a refined and appealing contrast. I’ll admit I can’t eat too much of it at one time, but in short bursts, it’s amazing!

Try it in: This delicious pear and blue cheese soup.

18. Pumpkin and Sage: Earthy and comforting, this combination excels in pasta dishes, risottos, soups, and roasted vegetables.

Why it works: Sage’s earthy, slightly minty flavor enhances pumpkin’s sweetness, creating comforting and aromatic dishes ideal for autumn.

Try it in: Baked pumpkin with sage butter

19. Cucumber and Mint: Crisp cucumber and refreshing mint, a staple pairing for salads, infused water, yogurt dips, and cold soups.

Why it works: Mint’s refreshing coolness complements cucumber’s crispness, and combines to make a very ‘smooth’ taste and mouth-feel.

Try it in: These famous upper crust cucumber sandwiches or in smooth cucumber raita.

20. Walnut and Maple Syrup: Nutty walnuts complemented by sweet maple syrup, delightful in granola, oatmeal, pancakes, and baked goods.

Why it works: Maple syrup’s rich sweetness perfectly complements walnut’s nutty, earthy flavors for a crunchy-smooth mix.

Try it in: Baked pears with walnuts and syrup.

21. Beetroot and Goat Cheese: Definitely an acquired taste, but when you know, you know!

Why it works: Beetroot’s sweet, earthy flavor balances goat cheese’s tangy richness, creating a balanced pairing ideal for salads and appetizers.

Try it in: Dutch flatbread pizzas!

22. Peach and Thyme: Juicy peaches enhanced by aromatic thyme, great in desserts, salads, or grilled for a unique side.

Why it works: Thyme’s aromatic terpenes accentuate peach’s juicy sweetness, providing complexity and depth in a delightful pairing.

Try it in: Peach and thyme cobbler.

23. Zucchini and Parmesan: Mild zucchini gains depth with savory Parmesan, excellent in pastas, fritters, and baked dishes.

Parmesan isn’t always vegetarian (make sure there’s no rennet in it). Not usually a problem in the US, but in Europe we can’t even call it parmesan if there’s no rennet in it 🙁

Try it in: Roasted zucchini and parmesan.

24. Pea and Mint: One of my all-time favourites, and an absolute classic in Great Britain. Loved in the summer, still eaten in the winter. So good!

Why it works: Mint’s aromatic menthol enhances sweet peas’ fresh sweetness, creating a refreshing, bright combination.

Try it in: Easy Pea and Mint Soup.

25. Pineapple and Coconut: And another fruity one to finish us off – there’s a reason Pina Colada is so popular!

Why it works: Pineapple’s sweet acidity balances coconut’s fatty richness, forming a harmonious tropical pairing.

Try it in: Pineapple and coconut overnight oats.

Use these pairings and you can elevate any meal you choose! Plus you’ll even impress some non-veggies (if that’s your plan). These are so good and I promise they work every time!

If you keep these combinations in mind when creating recipes, you’re sure to have the basis of a great recipe every time.

Have fun experimenting, and don’t forget we’ve got a completely free vegetarian app if you want more recipes at your fingertips!