Riesling Food Pairings That Will Make Mouth-Watering Meals

Last Updated on August 1st, 2023

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So you’re in search of the next meal to serve with your favorite bottle of Riesling! You’ve come to the right place here. Not only will you find what pairs well with the white wine but also what to avoid cooking when serving Riesling to your guests. Let’s get started!

 

Looking for the Perfect Food to Pair with your Riesling?

There’s this rule among the wine community when it comes to pairing wine with food. It’s pretty simple and easy to remember. Red wines with red meats and white wines with white meats. 

Pretty simple right? It’s not a mandatory rule. Obviously, no one tells you how to live your life. However, it is proper wine etiquette.

Person's hand holding a wine bottle in front of a table - Riesling Food Pairings.

What snacks go with Riesling?

There are a few healthy fruits and vegetables to pair with a Riesling. There are also a few kinds of cheese that pair nicely. 

Together these could make a good appetizer tray before your next meal or just a snack whenever you have a casual drink. See the list below.

 

  1. Fruits and Vegetables – carrots, coconuts, dried fruit, and bell peppers.
  2. Cheeses – feta, Parmesan, gouda, asiago, and more!

 

What meat pairs with Riesling?

Although Riesling is a white wine and should be paired with white meat, it’s an exception to meats that aren’t just white. See the list below for some of the wine community’s favorites to pair with this wine.

 

  • Shrimp & Crab
  • Pork & Bacon
  • Chicken
  • Duck Confit

 

Does Riesling go with Steak?

Some say that a dry Riesling goes great with a steak. So it’s worth a shot if you want to try something new or if you just want a white wine with a steak! 

 

However, it is recommended not to pair a sweet Riesling with a steak, for it could cancel out the flavors and notes of the food, which is something we want to avoid. 

 

Does Riesling go with Ham?

Ham and Riesling are also popular pairs. However, it’s important to note that not just any Riesling can pair with ham. It’s recommended to pair a sweet Riesling with a Ham, or any sweet wine, in general, will work. 

Listed below are a few other wines that go well with ham.

 

  • Moscato
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Rose

 

Does Riesling go with spicy foods?

Riesling is said to pair nicely with a spicy meal, and a sweet white Riesling wine will often compliment the meal. However, not just any spicy foods – stick to Thai, Vietnamese, Asian, and Indian dishes with spice to pair with a Riesling.

 

Best foods to Pair with Riesling

While there are an endless amount of great cuisines that pair with Riesling, listed below are a few fan favorites to try at your next dinner!

 

  • Roasted Pork and Vegetables 
  • Sesame Chicken Teriyaki and Stir Fry
  • Roasted Duck and Tempeh 
  • Pasta Alla Norma (Eggplant Pasta)

 

Foods to Avoid pairing with Riesling 

There’s a long list of foods to avoid pairing with Riesling and all wine in general. A few of these forbidden foods are listed below. 

 

  • Chocolate
  • Asparagus
  • Soy Sauce
  • Blue Cheese

Final thoughts on the food pairings for Riesling

Snacks that pair with Riesling include things like carrots, dried fruit, feta, and asiago cheese that would make up a good appetizer tray. 

Some meats to include in cuisines paired with Riesling include shrimp, crab, chicken, duck, steak, and ham. 

Riesling does also pair well with spicy Thai, Asian, Indian, and more; but should never be paired with items like blue cheese, chocolate, and soy sauce. 

 

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