31 Recipes That Pair Meat And Fruit Beautifully

Combining sweet and salty ingredients is a fantastic approach if you're looking to create a delicious, well-rounded meal, and one of the effective ways to do this is by pairing meat with fruit. The succulent, savory profile of both red and white meats can be amplified further by the tangy sweetness of various fruits, and there are endless ways to bring these two elements together.

Whether you're opting for a sticky chutney, blending fruit into a sauce, or roasting whole chunks of fresh fruits along with the meat, this refreshing addition to your dish will cut through the richness, brightening everything up and bringing balance to every bite. Zesty citrus fruits are a classic choice for enhancing poultry, while sunny stone fruits are particularly well-suited to pork, and sweet-tart berries work beautifully with beef. But there are no set rules here, with a wide array of meat-fruit combos to consider. If you're unsure where to start, we've gathered some standout dishes that prove just how tasty this pairing can be, ready to inspire your next sweet-meets-savory creation.

Chicken and lemon are a classic duo for good reason, and in this simple, wholesome recipe, those bold, zesty flavors are enhanced even further with the help of fragrant herbs and aromatics. The bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are marinated in a flavor-packed lemon, garlic, and thyme marinade, then oven-roasted with more lemon rounds until crisp and golden on the outside. The acidity of the fruit does an amazing job of balancing the richness of the meat, yielding a dish that's bursting with citrusy brightness.

Recipe: Roasted Lemon Chicken

The sunny sweetness of mango is a fitting match for the mild, savory taste of chicken, and this pairing works brilliantly in a light, refreshing salad. Here, we marinate the chicken breasts in a zesty chili, garlic, and lime dressing before grilling them until juicy and charred. Diced mango forms part of the vibrant salad base; the tropical taste of the fruit is the ultimate sweet balancer for the tangy cilantro-lime dressing and final scattering of crunchy roasted peanuts.

Recipe: Chicken Mango Salad

Chicken, cinnamon, and plums might seem like an unconventional combination, but we guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised if you give this warming medley a try. The sweet and spicy maple marinade enhances the chicken's richness, while fresh plums roast to jammy perfection, adding fruity brightness to every bite. There's a hint of citrus too, providing a balancing acidity that rounds off the overall flavor profile nicely, while keeping things rustic and comforting.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Cinnamon Chicken And Plums

This recipe sees apricot preserves mixed up into a sticky glaze with flavor-boosting spices and aromatics. This warming medley serves as a delightfully sweet and tangy topping for the pan-seared pork chops. The slight tartness of apricots is great for balancing the natural fattiness of pork. As the meat hits the broiler, the glaze turns into a sticky, caramelized crust, making the final dish feel wonderfully indulgent.

Recipe: Sweet And Spicy Apricot-Glazed Pork Chops

Any dish that can be made with just three ingredients is music to our ears, and this sticky orange chicken is the perfect addition to your weeknight dinner rotation. Making use of convenient frozen popcorn chicken, this recipe also calls for orange marmalade and teriyaki sauce — a humble yet game-changing duo that injects the meat with heaps of sweetness and tang. Serve the sticky chicken over rice or noodles, and you've got a satisfying dish that delivers big flavor with minimal fuss.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken

Fruit and cheese are another exceptional sweet-savory pairing, and with meat added into the mix, too, this trio truly shines. In this delightfully elegant yet comforting sandwich, we stack up aged cheddar with sliced turkey breast, apple, and a creamy honey mustard sauce. There's plenty of richness here, and the apple's role is to lighten things up with its sweet, refreshing crunch. Once the sandwich has been pan-fried, the cheese becomes gloriously gooey and melty, and that gorgeous textural contrast becomes even more apparent. 

Recipe: Apple Turkey Cheddar Sandwich

For a dish that looks as impressive as it tastes, try complementing the signature tang of classic teriyaki chicken with the addition of fresh, juicy pineapple. The fruit's juice is used to sweeten up the sauce, which also features warming ginger, umami-rich soy sauce, and fiery chili paste. You'll use the halved, hollowed-out pineapple as a striking receptacle for a layer of fluffy rice and the sticky pan-fried chicken. The resulting dish is scattered with chopped green onions and makes for a real showstopper. It's a great option if you're cooking for guests.

Recipe: Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Boat

Blackberries aren't just for cakes and crumbles; they're also an amazing tool for upgrading roasted chicken. Transformed into a sweet-sharp glaze with balsamic vinegar and sage, the tangy berries pack plenty of fruity brightness. The glaze gets brushed over the whole chicken in two batches towards the end of the cooking process, allowing it to create a mouth-watering caramelized layer on the outside of the meat, and amping up the sophistication factor no end.

Recipe: Blackberry-Glazed Sage Roast Chicken

For a festive meat and fruit pairing that'll make lunchtime a lot more exciting, try whipping up these berry-studded flatbreads. The soft, chewy breads are made from scratch and adorned with toppings that offer the perfect blend of richness and freshness. A generous swipe of creamy Greek yogurt adds moisture, and the spiced ground turkey gets an uplifting sweet-tart boost from the addition of a homemade cranberry chutney. It's a fantastically fresh, flavorful twist on the classic turkey-cranberry pairing.

Recipe: Ground Turkey Flatbread With Cranberry Chutney

Cherries are often overlooked as a meat pairing, but they make an incredible accompaniment to steak. To enhance this fruit's naturally tangy profile, try incorporating it into a sweet and savory sauce with honey, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and thyme. Use this mixture both as a marinade and a topping for the pan-seared flap steak, which gives the meat the most amazing fruity depth. The caramelized edges of the steak contrast oh-so beautifully with the sauce's bright, jammy notes.

Recipe: Cherry Balsamic Flap Steak

Duck and orange are another beloved duo that have long starred together on upscale restaurant menus, and it's also wonderfully easy to enjoy this moreish flavor combo at home. Using the Instant Pot makes the cooking process a breeze, with the whole duck first seared all over, then pressure-cooked in the fruity, zesty sauce. A final broil gets the skin lovely and crisp, and spooning over more of the reduced sauce before serving ensures that every inch of the meat is loaded with sweet citrus flavor.

Recipe: Instant Pot Duck A l'Orange

When your salad is in need of a little sweetness and crunch, apple makes a mighty fine add-in. And, it tastes even better when served with tender chicken and other crisp, savory ingredients. This simple dish works great as a side dish or sandwich filler, blending the meat and fruit with refreshing diced celery, tart red onion, and aromatic chives. Pecan halves lend an irresistible nuttiness, and the seasoned mayo ties everything together with its creamy richness.

Recipe: Apple Pecan Chicken Salad

Cherry balsamic sauce brings plenty of fruity elegance to this pan-seared chicken recipe. Using fresh, pitted cherries keeps things rustic, and these are simmered into a tempting sweet-savory sauce until soft and jammy. This topping is spooned over the succulent chicken breasts and adds a tangy lift that cuts through the meat's richness. Then there's a hint of balsamic depth rounding out the flavor and bringing a sophisticated edge. 

Recipe: Chicken With Cherry Balsamic Sauce

Blackberries are the star of this sauce-smothered steak recipe, adding a gorgeous pop of color along with their signature sweetness. Tri-tip is the cut of choice here, and grilling the meat gives it a perfectly charred exterior, while keeping things juicy in the middle. The natural sweetness of the fruity sauce is balanced with the acidity of white wine and the tang of mustard, with butter adding some welcomed richness. The result is a luxurious, glossy topping that elevates every bite of the sliced steak.

Recipe: Grilled Tri Tip With Blackberry Mustard

Figs are another fruit that can instantly amp up the elegance of a meat dish, and we love pairing them with succulent pork tenderloin in this Asian-inspired recipe. Opting for store-bought fig jam minimizes the prep, and this gets enhanced with the umami richness of soy sauce, plus the bold heat of Thai chiles. Brushing this flavor-packed mixture over the pork before baking everything in the oven not only locks in moisture but also infuses the meat with the perfect blend of fruity, spicy, and savory notes.

Recipe: Fig And Thai Chile-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

We often see cranberry sauce dolloped onto roasted turkey, but it tastes just as delicious with beef meatballs. The sweet and tart flavors of the berries provide a delicious contrast to the rich, savory meat, transforming an otherwise basic dish into a fruity appetizer that's fit for any festive dinner party. The meatballs themselves get plenty of savory depth from add-ins like onion powder, garlic powder, and dried parsley, while the simple orange-infused glaze coats each bite in a glossy layer of sweet-tart goodness, making this vibrant creation totally irresistible.

Recipe: Best Cranberry Meatballs

If you've conquered the duck and orange pairing and you're looking to branch out into other fruity accompaniments, this duck and apricot medley is a must-try. The meat is packed with aromatic depth, thanks to a rubbing of Chinese five-spice powder prior to cooking. And, the chunky apricot sauce gets an extra burst of tanginess from dried cherries and a hint of zingy warmth from fresh ginger. This simple yet sophisticated dish can be whipped up in just 30 minutes, and suits weeknights and special occasions alike.

Recipe: Duck Breast With Apricot Chutney

Tender shredded chicken gets a rich, fruity upgrade in this flavorful sandwich filler recipe. To make coronation chicken, you'll combine the cooked meat and creamy base ingredients with a selection of warming spices. And that all-important fruit element is a generous dollop of mango chutney. The resulting mixture offers a bold yet balanced flavor profile — notes of tanginess, sweetness, and savory richness. Paired with crisp lettuce, it makes for a wonderfully unique addition to slices of crusty bread.

Recipe: Creamy Coronation Chicken

This show-stopping roasted duck dazzles with a trio of elegant fruits. Fresh figs and pears are not only stuffed inside the duck's cavity with a zesty lemon butter, but also roasted on the side with potatoes and shallots for a rustic touch that makes the presentation extra special. And, a final brush of lemon-thyme glaze gives the skin a golden, crispy finish, while further infusing the meat with bright, herbal notes.

Recipe: Crispy Roast Duck

Another amazing way to spruce up a pork tenderloin is with roasted apples, and this sweet fruit tastes fantastic alongside a tart balsamic glaze. To bring some savory richness to the apples, you'll cook them in the juices left over from pan-searing the meat, giving the fruit an aromatic boost with the help of fresh thyme. The jammy caramelized apples balance the rich pork amazingly well, highlighting the meat's natural succulence and building that delicious sweet-savory balance. 

Recipe: Balsamic-Glazed Pork Tenderloin With Roasted Apples

Packed with juiciness and natural sweetness, peaches are an ideal pairing for pork. When crafting this fruity chutney, we enhance the fresh peaches with a mouth-watering dose of tangy warmth, using apple cider vinegar and a medley of aromatics. This sticky mixture shines when spooned over pan-seared pork chops, bringing plenty of jammy deliciousness to balance the rich, savory meat. To add a pop of color and freshness to your plate, try serving the meat and chutney with a handful of peppery arugula.

Recipe: Seared Pork With Peach Chutney

This gourmet-style panini pairs meat and fruit in a totally mouth-watering way. Chicken cutlets and sliced pears are first infused with lemon and thyme, then roasted to tender perfection, before they're stacked up between slices of crusty Italian bread with sticky fig jam and sharp cheddar cheese. Using a panini press ensures the bread crisps up beautifully, while melting the cheese for a gooey, indulgent finish.

Recipe: Chicken And Pear Panini

Tangy, juicy pineapple and smoky, salty ham are an exceptionally good match. Don't worry, we're not bringing up any pizza-related debates here, just highly recommending the addition of this much-loved fruit to a whole smoked ham. We use canned pineapple rings to keep things simple, attaching these to the ham with toothpicks and using the reserved juice to whip up a sticky glaze for the meat. Once slow-smoked until fall-apart tender, the ham will be loaded with bright, fruity flavor. 

Recipe: Smoked Pineapple Ham

To take lamb chops to the next level, cook them with a trio of sweet, zesty fruits. The buttery, broth-based demi-glace features garlic, plus fresh orange and lemon juice, enhancing the pan-seared chops with savory depth and tangy complexity. Diced figs add sweetness and texture, and thyme gives the sauce a herbaceous twist, while a final scattering of citrus zest is the perfect pop of freshness that ties all of the flavors together.

Recipe: Fig, Orange, And Lemon Lamp Chops With Demi-Glace

Loaded with bold, Indian-inspired flavors, this lamb biryani is the ultimate dinnertime centerpiece. Here, the balancing fruity flavor comes in the form of dried cranberries, which serve as a sweet-tart, chewy topping for this fragrant, meaty dish. Underneath, there's slow-simmered lamb shoulder and baked rice, all infused with a whole host of warming spices and aromatics, including cardamom, saffron, cumin, and cloves. To make the topping even more dynamic, we pair the berries with crispy fried onions and almonds, which amp up the crunch and pack in even more savory depth.

Recipe: Celebratory Lamb Biryani

You can always rely on juicy, jewel-like pomegranate seeds to boost the presentation of your dish, and they certainly add some fruity flair to this succulent sliced duck breast. As well as scattering the fresh seeds on top of the meat before serving, we also craft a sweet-savory sauce with pomegranate juice, herbs, and spices, enriching this with the flavorful cooking juices from the duck. This brings a subtle dose of sweetness to the meat, while keeping things light and beautifully balanced.

Recipe: Duck Breast With Pomegranate Sauce

This vibrant recipe proves that salad is far from boring with its harmonious blend of sweet and savory. Shredded, cooked chicken, toasted pumpkin seeds, crumbled feta, and peppery arugula form the base, with crunchy pomegranate adding bright bursts of flavor. And, the dressing is perhaps the most transformative element. This features a bold mixture of Dijon mustard and pomegranate molasses, which coats everything in a moreish layer of tangy-sweet richness, yielding a well-rounded salad that hits all the right notes.

Recipe: Pomegranate Chicken Salad

In need of an impressive appetizer for your next dinner party? These steak crostini are an excellent choice. To contrast the rich, pan-seared steak, we prepare a homemade fig and red wine jam. You'll spread a little of this fruity concoction onto each slice of garlic-infused, toasted bread and balance the sweetness with some tangy crumbled blue cheese. Layer slices of the pan-seared steak on top, and you've got a crowd-pleasing snack or starter that's oozing with sophistication.

Recipe: Steak Crostini With Fig And Red Wine Jam

Bacon's distinctive salty taste fits in brilliantly alongside the natural sweetness of dates, and here, we combine these ingredients in a crave-worthy panini. The caramel-like dates contrast the salty, savory richness of meat and other add-ins brilliantly. They are mashed and added to slices of whole wheat bread along with the crispy cooked bacon, creamy goat cheese, and fresh veggies. The assembled sandwich is then toasted in a grill pan or panini press for a warm, melty finish.

Recipe: Goat Cheese, Bacon, And Date Panini

Give potatoes an indulgent makeover with this delightfully cheesy take on potato skins. Each halved potato offers heaps of savory richness that's crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle. The fluffy flesh is mixed up with chopped, cooked bacon and a medley of fresh and creamy add-ins, before it's piled back into the baked skins and topped with extra sliced brie for good measure. The fruity balance comes from cranberry sauce, which adds a pop of color and freshness that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy.

Recipe: Brie And Bacon Potato Skins

This lighter take on a traditional sloppy Joe calls for lean ground turkey and sweet diced apples. Simmered with powerful flavor-boosters like apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, the meat and fruit take on a gloriously tender, saucy consistency, perfect for piling into soft, fluffy buns. It's a comforting, family-friendly dish that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy evenings.

Recipe: Tangy Turkey And Apple Sloppy Joes

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