Chenin Blanc Food Pairings That Will Make Mouth-Watering Meals

All wines have their own specific flavors and style, which pair with particular cuisines, appetizers, and snacks! It’s all about finding the right combinations, and that’s why we are here to help!

Looking for the Perfect Foods to Pair with Chenin Blanc?

There’s one rule that most wine enthusiasts follow to keep in mind when deciding what to pair with your Chenin Blanc or any other wine. Red wines go with red meats, whereas white wines go with white meats! 

Although this rule isn’t mandatory, it is a custom etiquette followed over the years of the wine communities. It’s your life, do with it what you will – for everyone’s pallets are different. 

Best Foods to pair with Chenin Blanc

The most popular foods that pair with Chenin Blanc are those you’ll find at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. 

Yes, we’re not only talking about Turkey but also apple pie and other traditional dishes. Of course, Chenin Blanc is also known to pair great with any sweet and sour Asian cuisine!

Chenin Blanc is also known to be a perfect pair with any vegetable-based dishes, which makes it a good wine for vegetarians or even vegans if you can find a vegan version of Chenin Blanc. 

Vegetable-based dishes like salads, zucchini noodle pasta, veggie burgers, vegetable-based chili, and so many more!

What snack goes with Chenin Blanc?

Let’s chat about fruit, vegetable, and cheese platters for snacks! Listed below are some snack items to consider serving alongside your favorite Chenin Blanc. You won’t be disappointed. 

Take these items to throw together an appetizer platter or just a snack. The possibilities are endless.

• Apples & pears.
• Carrots, cauliflower, & red bell peppers.
• Gruyère, cheddar, and goat milk cheeses with herbs.

What meat pairs with Chenin Blanc?

Since white wines go with white meats, the best meats to pair with Chenin Blanc include but are not limited to (depending on your pallet) fish like trout, salmon, and halibut. 

We recommend chicken, turkey, and pork chops if you’re not into seafood! If you’re living a vegan lifestyle, don’t worry! Chenin Blanc is also one of the top two white wines to pair with your favorite style of Tofu. 

Does Chenin Blanc go with steak?

Considering Chenin Blanc is a white wine, it’s not ideal for steak. This is because steak is red meat and would pair much better with red wine. 

However, if you’re going to go against the red-red, white-white rule, you could try turning this dish into a new American-style steak. New American-styled food consists of what I call experimental foods. 

Many new American dishes season their red meats with things you wouldn’t expect, like peanut and cashew sauces, red pepper flakes, and cilantro also go with Chenin Blanc nicely. 

Consider these experimental seasonings if you desire to try a steak with your favorite Chenin Blanc.

Does Chenin Blanc go with Ham?

Yes, ham is one of those exceptional meats that go with white wines nicely. Some other wines are listed below that pair nicely with a ham-based cuisine.

• Riesling
• Moscato
• Lambrusco 
• Rose

Does Chenin Blanc go with spicy food?

Absolutely. However, it’s important to note that there’s only one specific style of Chenin Blanc that compliments a heavily spiced meal. This style would be a sparkling Chenin Blanc. This compliments savory, spicy dishes quite nicely. 

A few of these dishes are listed below.

• Kimchi 
• Jalapeño based dishes
• Sweet and Sour Pork
• Thai Green Curry 

Foods to avoid pairing with Chenin Blanc

There’s a variety of foods to avoid, not only pairing with Chenin Blanc but all wines. When paired, notes of not only the wine but also the food, in general, will get canceled out, resulting in a very unpleasant meal. 

These forbidden foods are listed below.

• Blue Cheese
• Eggs of any form
• Soy Sauce
• Chocolate
• Asparagus
• Brussels sprouts

Final Thoughts on the Food Pairings of Chenin Blanc

Foods that pair well with Chenin Blanc include but are not limited to turkey, vegetable, and sweet & sour-based dishes. Snacks that go well with the fruity white wine include red bell pepper, gruyere, and apple slices. 

Pair Chenin Blanc with any white meats like fish. Avoid steaks. Ham is okay, and spicy food is a must with Chenin Blanc! Avoid forbidden foods like egg, asparagus, Brussels, and blue cheese.