Weird food combinations you need to try
When it comes to food, you can either be traditional or innovative. Food isn’t just a way for us to satisfy our cravings, but it’s a way to be creative.
While some ingredients traditionally pair well together, there are always some combinations that can seem a little whacky. However, this craziness is where you’ll find some of the most mind-boggling varieties that will tingle your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
There are all sorts of ways you can come across these combinations. Food is just another way to express yourself, so there are no rules that should hold you back.
If you’re tired of the same old dishes, it might be time to try out something new. Below, we’ve listed some weird food combinations.
These combos might make you pause for a second, but don’t be intimidated, and give it a try.
1. Peanut Butter in your Burger
Contrary to popular belief, peanut butter isn’t just something that goes on top of toast. If you’re creative enough, you can think of much better ways to use this versatile spread.
There are many different ways you can use peanut butter in your burger. It can be an extra dipping sauce in place of mayo or make a sauce yourself.
Many cuisines throughout history have used peanut butter in savoury dishes, making this a weird yet tried and tested combo.
Why It works
The peanut butter will give your burger the richness and creaminess that you can’t get from mayonnaise. If you’re a fan of continental cuisine, you will surely appreciate this twist.
The richness of the peanut butter goes tremendously well with the juicy patty. Furthermore, you can try this combo with a range of burgers.
Beef, chicken, and vegetarian burgers alike can benefit from a dollop of peanut butter for a delicious kick.
Why you need to try them
You can find this popular combo in many modern restaurants, who want to put an innovative spin on their menu.
There are numerous ways you can incorporate peanut butter in your burgers. You can mix some into the patty to give it a creamier, richer texture.
You can also make a sweet sauce with honey or a spicier version with chipotle sauce. It is an inexpensive way to elevate any meal.
2. Ice cream and fries
Ice cream and fries are yet another yummy but weird combo you need to try. If you haven’t tried it yet, head to your latest burger joint, and order yours now.
With a range of ice cream flavours, this combination is easily one of the most diverse ones there, and you can keep changing things.
Why It works
The mild saltiness of the fries goes incredibly well with the frosty richness of any ice cream. You can dip your fries in any ice cream flavour and expect an incredibly delicious bite.
It is a heavenly combo that makes fries into classic comfort food. While it may not be the healthiest snack, it’s easily one of the best.
Why you need to try them
Milkshake and fries is a classic combo. It is comfort food at its best, and it’s something everyone needs to try at least once.
It lets you combine your two favourite foods in some unforgettable strange food combinations.
3. Cola chicken
Having an ice-cold glass of coke with your fried chicken is a classic combination. However, what isn’t common is coating your chicken in cola sauce.
There are many different varieties of fried chicken flavours out there. From BBQ to teriyaki, buffalo, and Korean fried chicken isn’t limited to the same old taste anymore.
Cola chicken is yet another variation that you’ll enjoy if you’re a cola lover.
Why It works
Cola chicken is just like any other chicken flavour. It has a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy kick and has predominantly Asian flavours.
Cola chicken has a lovely medley of flavours that can tingle all your taste buds and leave you wanting more. It has a pleasant, smoky, barbeque flavour making this a combination you’ll keep coming back to.
Why you need to try them
Cola chicken is straightforward to make. All you need is some cola, soy sauce, barbeque sauce, salt, and chipotle.
Mix all these ingredients, and let the sauce simmer until it thickens and becomes sticky. Then, coat your chicken in it and enjoy one of the best meals you’ve ever had.
4. Pizza and honey
It’s common knowledge that honey makes everything taste better. While you may not imagine it to be the best topping for pizza, you may reconsider after trying.
Why It works
Honey is the best way to add a touch of elegance to your pizza. It makes for a complex combination, especially when you try it with fancy cheese.
The melty, caramelized cheese goes perfectly with the rich, sticky sweetness of honey. Furthermore, the crispy, crinkly pizza bread is the best vehicle to enjoy honey.
Why you need to try them
If you like to try out different pizza variations, this one is easy to make and incredibly delicious. It makes for a lovely, light, summery spin on classic pizza.
While you can drizzle honey on any pizza, it works best with plain pizza dough, olive oil, Italian cheese, and honey.
5. Mangoes with red chilli
It is a classic South Asian combination which is a tasty spin on this classic fruit. Mangoes are incredibly fragrant, juicy fruits you can enjoy in various ways.
If you want to upgrade your fruit salad, a simple sprinkle of red chilli powder can do the trick.
Why It works
Mango with red chilli works because it’s the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. The soft, juicy, fragrant mangoes go incredibly well with the kick from the chilli.
If you don’t like things too spicy, you can opt for a milder chilli powder for a less intense bite.
Why you need to try them
This is easily one of the most affordable combinations to try and one you can make in a few minutes with no prep required. It is also an excellent way of trying new cuisine.
6. Ramen with cheese
When we think of instant ramen, we think of a deep, flavourful clear broth with the iconic curly noodles. Ramen comes in many flavours and lets you exercise a great deal of creativity.
However, one flavour relatively little known is ramen with cheese. Ramen has primarily Asian flavours, which is why this is a strange food combination.
Why It works
Noodles and cheese is an age-old combination that is incredibly delicious. Add in traditional Asian flavours and a flavourful broth, and you have a winning combination.
Cheesy ramen is a super tasty fusion dish. Cheese and ramen are some of the most popular comfort foods, and combining them can make the most delicious bowl ever.
Why you need to try them
You can make cheesy ramen with just about any cheese you have available. It’s also effortless to make, and all you need to do is add the cheese when the ramen is ready.
It may be an unusual combination, but it works.
7. Peanut butter and pickle sandwich
This is probably the strangest food combination on this list. These two items separately might be lovely, but we’re sure not many ever think of combining them.
However, if you want to try something genuinely novel, this might be the perfect combination to try.
Why It works
Lovers of this strange combination say that it has the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and sour in one easy to make a sandwich. Nevertheless, it might not be something that everyone will enjoy.
However, if you like tasting every flavour profile in one bite, this is one of the weird food combos you will enjoy most.
Why you need to try them
Peanut butter and pickles are a fast way to make a fulfilling sandwich. These are ingredients that most of us have lying around and are a great fix when you have late-night hunger pangs.
8. Salami and grapes
Salami has an incredibly intricate flavour profile that people love globally. Grapes, too, are valued for their tangy sweetness worldwide.
When put together, you might just come upon your following favourite flavour combination.
Why It works
The fermented, spicy, smoky taste of salami pairs incredibly well with the vibrant acidity of grapes. Of all the unusual food combinations, this one goes together exceptionally well.
Why you need to try them
You can pair your salami and grapes in many ways. The best is to make a fresh, bright salad with salami and grape.
It can be a healthy and delicious combination that you’ll never forget. It is also an elegant combination with a complex flavour profile.
9. Brie and jam
Brie has a buttery, earthy, creamy taste that pairs well with many foods. One item it’s not traditionally paired with, however, is jam.
Nevertheless, brie and jam can be a winning combination if you like combining fruitiness with cream.
Why It works
Brie has fruity, earthy undertones that can go spectacularly well with the tangy sweetness of any jam flavour. The creamy cheese is the perfect way to have any jam at any time.
The jam helps bring out the velvety richness of the brie.
Why you need to try them
If you’re a cheese connoisseur, you will definitely enjoy brie and jam. It can be an excellent way to upgrade breakfast or as a late-night snack.
It is an exciting spin on two very traditional items.
Conclusion
If you’re brave enough, you should try these strange food combinations. Some might seem a little too much, but all we suggest is that you don’t knock it till you try it.
You might just end up finding your next favourite snack.
Andy
Ever since I started cooking I’ve been fascinated by how different people’s techniques are and how they best utilise the ingredients around them. Even the person living next door will have their own unique way of frying an egg or cooking a salmon fillet.
This fascination led me on a journey across the globe to discover the countless practices and traditions the world of cooking has to offer. I thought you’d enjoy and find value in sharing that journey with me so I created Cooked Best!