Ingredient Pairings
This matrix lists commonly used ingredients along with pairing recommendations.
| Ingredient | Pairing Best with | Pairing Well with | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almond | 3 cups whole = 4 cups slivered | ||
| Apple | cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg | cardamom, coriander, cumin, curry powder | 1 lb = 2 large = 3 cups sliced |
| Asparagus | 1 lb = 18 spears | ||
| Avocados | chile peppers, pepper | cumin, garlic | |
| Banana | 1 lb = 3 to 4 whole = 2 cups sliced | ||
| Beans | parsley | garlic, marjoram, mint, onions, rosemary, sage, thyme | |
| Beans, Green | basil, cumin, garlic, ginger, marjoram, parsley, tarragon, thyme | bay leaf, cayenne, mint, mustard seeds, oregano, paprika, black/white pepper, rosemary, sage, tamarind | |
| Beef | cloves, coriander, garlic, pepper | allspice, basil, bay leaf, cayenne, cinnamon, cumin, curry, ginger, mint, oregano, parsley, red pepper flakes, rosemary, saffron, tarragon, thyme | |
| Bell Pepper | basil, chile peppers, garlic, oregano, parsley, black pepper, thyme | bay leaf, cardamom, cayenne, coriander, cumin, curry, fennel seeds, marjoram, mint, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, rosemary | 1 large = 1 cup diced |
| Blueberries | cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg | allspice, cloves, mace, mint | |
| Bread | 1 lb = 12 slices 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs = 1/3 cup dry |
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| Broccoli | chile peppers, garlic, mustard seeds | basil, caraway seeds, coriander, curry, ginger, mint, oregano, parsley, red pepper flakes, tarragon, thyme | 1 lb = 2 cups chopped |
| Broccoli Rabe | garlic, oregano | basil, parsley, white/black pepper, red pepper flakes | |
| Brussels Sprouts | garlic, parsley, pepper, thyme | basil, bay leaf, coriander, fennel seeds, marjoram, nutmeg, onions, paprika | |
| Cabbage | caraway seeds, garlic, ginger, pepper, thyme | bay leaf, clove, coriander, cumin, fennel seeds, marjoram, mustard seeds, , paprika, parsley, poppy seeds, red pepper flakes, tarragon | 1 lb = 3 1/2 cups shredded raw = 2 cups cooked |
| Carrots | chile peppers, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, dill, ginger, parsley, tarragon, thyme | allspice, basil, bay leaf, cloves, curry, garlic, mace, mustard seeds, nutmeg, rosemary, sage, tamarind | 1 lb = 2 1/2 cups shredded raw |
| Cauliflower | curry powder, garlic, mint, pepper | coriander, cumin, garam masala, mustard seeds, nutmeg, paprika, poppy seeds, red pepper flakes, saffron, tarragon, thyme, turmeric | 1 lb = 1 1/2 cups chopped |
| Chard | garlic | basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, pepper, red pepper flakes, saffron, thyme | |
| Celery | 3 stalks = 1 cup diced | ||
| Chicken | basil, bay leaf, cinnamon, curry powder, garlic, ginger, paprika, pepper, rosemary, tarragon, thyme | allspice, anise, cardamom, cayenne, cloves, coriander, cumin, five-spice powder, garam masala, marjoram, mint, mustard seeds, nutmeg, oregano, poppy seeds, red pepper flakes, saffron, sage, star anise, turmeric | |
| Chocolate/Cocoa | cinnamon, ginger, mint | allspice, anise seeds, basil, cardamom, chile peppers, chili powder, cloves, nutmeg | |
| Coconut | 1 lb = 5 cups shredded or flaked | ||
| Cod | basil, bay leaf, cayenne, garlic, parsley, pepper, saffron, thyme | caraway, coriander, ginger, sweet paprika, rosemary, sage, tarragon | |
| Coffee | cinnamon | anise, cadamom, cloves, cocoa, curry, fennel seeds, nutmeg, star anise | |
| Corn | 2 ears = 1 cup kernels | ||
| Cornmeal | 1/3 lb = 1 cup uncooked = 4 cups cooked | ||
| Cucumbers | dill, garlic, mint, parsley, pepper | allspice, basil, caraway seeds, cayenne, celery seeds, coriander, cumin, garam masala, oregano, red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, tamari, tarragon, thyme | |
| Dates | 1 lb = 2 2/3 cups chopped and pitted | ||
| Eggplant | basil, chile peppers, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sesame seeds, thyme | allspice, cayenne, chili powder, coriander, cumin, curry, fennel seeds, garam masala, mint, oregano, saffron, sage, tamari | 1 lb = 3 to 4 cups sliced |
| Eggs | basil, pepper | dill, garlic, marjoram, onions, parsley, tarragon, thyme | |
| Figs | 1 lb = 2 2/3 cups chopped | ||
| Game | cloves | allspice, cayenne, garlic, parsley, black pepper | |
| Greens, Collard | onions | garlic, mustard seeds, oregano, black pepper, red pepper flakes | |
| Grits | 1/3 lb = 1 cup uncooked = 3 1/2 cups cooked | ||
| Grouper | garlic, parsley, pepper, sesame seeds, tarragon, thyme | bay leaf, cayenne, ginger, rosemary, sage | |
| Halibut | basil, cayenne, coriander, garlic, ginger, parsley, pepper, rosemary, thyme | cardamom, cumin, curry powder, dill, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, garam masala, mint, paprika, pumpkin seeds, red pepper flakes, saffron, sesame seeds, tamarind, tarragon, turmeric | |
| Ham | parsley, thyme | allspice, bay leaf, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, nutmeg, black pepper, sage, tarragon | |
| Juice | 1/4 cup fresh juice = 1 tablespoon concentrated | ||
| Lamb | basil, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, curry powder, fennel seeds, garlic, ginger, mint, onion, oregano, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme | cayenne, cloves, dill, five-spice powder, garam masala, marjoram, nutmeg, paprika, red pepper flakes, saffron, tamarind, turmeric | |
| Lemon | 2 1/2 tablespoon juice = 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoon zest | ||
| Lettuce Romaine | garlic, pepper, ginger | caynne, parsley, tarragon | |
| Mackerel | garlic, ginger, onions, parsley, pepper, thyme | bay leaf, chile peppers, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, dill, red pepper flakes, rosemary, saffron | |
| Mahi Mahi | coriander, dill, white pepper | ||
| Mangoes | ginger, mint | anise, basil, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, curry powder, garlic, nutmeg, sesame seeds, star anise | |
| Mushrooms | garlic, marjoram, parsley, pepper, rosemary, tarragon, thyme | basil, bay leaf, cayenne, cloves, coriander, cumin, garam masala, ginger, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, sage | 1 lb fresh = 2 oz dried = 5 cups sliced = 2 cups sliced, cooked |
| Mussels | basil, bay leaf, cayenne, curry powder, garlic, onions,parsley, pepper, rosemary, saffron, tarragon, thyme | celery seeds, fennel seeds, ginger, marjoram, mint, nutmeg, oregano, paprika | |
| Oats | cinnamon | ginger | 1 cup uncooked = 1 3/4 cups cooked |
| Okra | onions | cayenne, coriander, cumin, curry powder, fennel seeds, garlic, ginger, mustard seeds, parsley, turmeric | |
| Onion | 1 small fresh onion = 2 teaspoon onion powder OR 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes OR 1 tablespoon minced OR 3/4 cup chopped |
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| Oranges | anise seeds, basil, cinnamon, cloves, mint, onions, rosemary | cardamom, cumin, garlic, ginger, paprika, black pepper, poppy seeds, saffron, star anise, thyme | 1/3 cup juice = 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoon zest |
| Pasta | 2 oz uncooked = 1 cup cooked | ||
| Peaches | allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mint, nutmeg, pepper | basil, bay leaf, mace, star anise, tarragon, thyme | 1 lb = 4 medium = 3 cups sliced, peeled |
| Peanuts | 1 lb = 4 cups | ||
| Pears | allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, pepper, rosemary, star anise | anise, basil, cardamom, dill, mace, parsley, | |
| Peas | basil, bay leaf, garlic, mint, parsley, pepper, tarragon, thyme | cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, curry powder, dill, garam masala, ginger, marjoram, rosemary, sage, turmeric | |
| Pecans | 1 lb = 3 1/2 cups | ||
| Pistachios | 1 lb = 3 1/2 cups | ||
| Pork | bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, garlic, ginger, mint, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, star anise, thyme | anise, basil, caraway seeds, cardamom, cayenne, chili powder, coriander, curry powder, fennel seeds, lemon grass, mace, marjoram, mustard seeds, nutmeg, red pepper flakes, saffron | |
| Potatoes | bay leaf, garlic, nutmeg, parsley, pepper , rosemary, sage, thyme, | basil, caraway seeds, cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, curry, dill, garam masala, ginger, marjoram, paprika, saffron, turmeric | 1 lb = 3 medium = 2 1/4 cups cooked = 1 3/4 cups mashed |
| Prunes | 1 lb = 2 1/4 cups pitted | ||
| Pumpkin | allspice, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, pumpkin seeds | cayenne, cumin, curry, mace, marjoram, rosemary | |
| Raisins | 1 lb = 3 cups | ||
| Red Snapper | ginger, cinnamon | bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, garlic, mint, nutmeg, onions, pepper | |
| Rice, White | saffron | anise, cinnamon, curry powder, garlic, ginger, onions | 1 cup uncooked = 3 to 3 1/2 cups cooked |
| Rice, Basmati | saffron, onion | basil, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, fennel seeds, garam masala, garlic, ginger, mint, thume | |
| Rice, Brown, Wild | 1 cup uncooked = 4 cups cooked | ||
| Rice, Jasmine | curries, garlic, lemongrass, turmeric | basil, coriander, cumin, ginger, mint | |
| Rum | ginger, mint | allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise | |
| Salmon | coriander, dill, fennel seeds, , garlic, ginger, mint, mustard seeds, nutmeg, onion, parsley, pepper, sesame seeds, tarragon, thyme | cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, curry, lemongrass, marjoram, paprika, rosemary, saffron, tamarind | |
| Sardines | fennel seeds, garlic, parsley, pepper, thyme | basil, bay leaf, cayenne, coriander, red pepper flakes, rosemary, saffron, sage | |
| Scallops | basil, cayenne, garlic, ginger, parsley, pepper, thyme | coriander, curry powder, dill, fennel seeds, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, red pepper flakes, rosemary, saffron | |
| Snap Peas | mint, sage, sesame seeds | basil, curry, dill, garlic, ginger, marjoram, nutmeg, onions, oregano, parsley, white pepper, rosemary, saffron, tarragon, thyme | |
| Snapper | bay leaf, garlic, thyme | cayenne, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel seeds, give-spice powder, ginger, mint, paprika, red pepper flakes, rosemary, saffron, sesame seeds, star anise, tarragon | |
| Sole | cayenne, garlic, parsley, pepper, tarragon | basil, bay leaf, coriander, dill, ginger, mint, paprika, star anise, thyme | |
| Spinach | garlic, nutmeg, sesame seeds | basil, cayenne, cumin, dill, ginger, marjoram, mint, mustard seeds, sweet paprika, parsley, red pepper flakes, saffron, thyme | |
| Squash, Acorn | allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, sage | bay leaf, garlic, ginger, onions, parsley, thyme | |
| Squash, Butternut | allspice, bay leaf, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, parsley, pepper, sage, thyme | basil, cayenne, cloves, coriander, cumin, curry, lemongrass, mint, pumpkin seeds, rosemary, tarragon | |
| Squash, Summer | basil, garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, sage thyme | cinnamon, coriander, cumin, mint, mustard seeds, black pepper, rosemary, turmeric | |
| Squash, Winter | allspice, cloves, coriander, cumin, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme | caraway seeds, cayenne, chili powder, cinnamon, lemongrass, marjoram, sweet paprika, pumpkin seeds | |
| Squid | bay leaf, garlic, parsley, pepper, thyme | basil, cayenne, cloves, ginger, marjoram, oregano, saffron, sesame seeds, tarragon | |
| Strawberries | cinnamon, black pepper | cardamom, cloves, coriander, ginger, nutmeg | 1 quart = 4 cups sliced |
| Sweet Potatoes | allspice, bay leaf, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, parsley, pepper, thyme | anise, basil, cloves, coriander, cumin, curry powder, dill, smoked paprika, pumpkin seeds, red pepper flakes, rosemary, sage, sesame seeds, tarragon | |
| Tomatoes | 1 lb = 3 medium = 8 oz can = 1 1/2 cups chopped | ||
| Trout | parsley, sage | cayenne, chili powder, garlic, mint, oregano, pepper, thyme | |
| Tuna | basil, coriander, garlic, ginger, parsley, pepper, sesame seeds, thyme | bay leaf, cayenne, cumin, curry, dill, fennel seeds, mint, rosemary, sage, tarragon | |
| Turkey | pepper, sage, | allspice, bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, garam masala, ginger, paprika, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, thyme | |
| Veal | bay leaf, garlic, parsley, pepper | basil, caraway seeds, chile peppers, dill, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme | |
| Walnuts | 1 lb = 3 3/4 cups | ||
| Yogurt | garlic, mint, onions | cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, curry, dill, nutmeg, parsley, white pepper, saffron, tamarind | |
| Zucchini | basil,garlic, marjoram, thyme | cinnamon, coriander, curry, dill, mint, mustard, oregano, red pepper flakes, rosemary, saffron, sage, sesame seeds |