Hearty and savory turkey meat has a versatile flavor that pairs well with sweet and sour fruit or nutty and spicy cheeses and condiments. Fresh or dried fruits are great addition to turkey because they are not only delicious, but also nutritious.
When you think turkey, you think of fall or winter feasts and pairing with fruits like cranberry, orange, figs and dates. However, there are other fruits that actually taste good with turkey dishes ranging from sandwiches to casseroles.
What is a good fruit to eat with turkey? Whether you are stuffing the turkey or serving a side dish with fruits, the best fruits that pair well with turkey include apples, pears and citrus fruits like lemon, lime, oranges, and grapefruit.
When it comes to stone fruits, apricots, cherries and plums are excellent because to their high acidity with delicate sweetness. Furthermore, white grapes, cranberry, watermelon, pineapple, banana, raisins, figs, and tomatoes.
These fruits can be served fresh, dried or in the form of jam or sauce to drizzle over slices of turkey to enjoy with other savory dishes.
Turkey has become traditional classic dish that is often enjoyed during Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering with a large group. It is commonplace for a lot of dishes to accompany the turkey centerpiece.
In this article, we are going to focus on the variety of fruits served with turkey for maximum taste. Answered below are frequently asked questions about fruits that pair well with turkey.
Does fruit go well with turkey?
Yes, fruit goes well with turkey. In fact, cherries, apricots, dates, oranges, cranberries, pears, plums, raisins, banana, figs and apples are extremely tasty when served with turkey.
These fruits provide a pleasantly sweet flavor that pairs delightfully with the savory meat flavors in the turkey, stuffing and gravy. In addition, fruit and turkey combination helps to eliminate the gamey flavor of turkey with a subtle sweetness.
What fruit goes well with turkey?
Both sweet and savory fruits go well with turkey. Great examples of fruits that can be added to a turkey dinner include cranberries, apples, and pears.
Fruits mainly come in handy with the delightful cranberry sauce and mile-high pies that are traditionally served as part of a turkey dinner. Also, these fruits make great cider-infused turkey as well as tangy jam that make a perfect spread for sandwiches using leftovers.
Other than cranberries, apples, and pears, here are more fruit options that go well with turkey:
- watermelon
- pineapple
- grapes
- raisins
- figs
- banana
- cherries
- plums
- lemon
- lime
- oranges
- grapefruit
- dates
What flavors pair well with turkey?
Infuse the turkey with a wet brine to make cider-glazed turkey with roasted apples that gives the meat a rich apple flavor. This also keeps the turkey extra moist while in the oven.
Other than traditional turkey gravy, balsamic cranberry or onion jam provides a wonderful refined sugar-free sauce that can be served with the turkey and used with the leftovers.
Here are classic and delightful flavor combination to pair with the turkey as stuffing:
- turkey + grapefruit + orange
- turkey + cranberries + apricots
- turkey + granny smith apple + lemon
- turkey + lime + lemon + orange
- turkey + dried cherries + apples
Best fruits to pair with turkey
From stuffing to sweet jams or sauces, turkey can be served with a variety of fruits in raw, dried or cooked preparation. Traditionally, turkeys are served with cranberry sauce to give balance of sweet and sour taste to the relatively plain.
If you are taking on the challenge of preparing turkey with fruits other than cranberries, these are some of the recommended fruits to pair with turkey:
- Stone fruits: apricot, peaches, plum, nectarine, dates, cherries
- Berries: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes
- Citrus fruits: oranges, pomelos, lemon, lime, grapefruit
- Other fruits: apple, pear, figs, raisins, pineapple, watermelon
These are the ideal fruits to pair with turkey and any leftovers. Fresh fruits are excellent when used to make a turkey sandwich.
As far as fruits go, oranges and pomelos stuffed inside the turkey before roasting helps to infuse extra flavors that keep it moist while in the oven.
The aroma analysis of a roasted turkey suggests citrusy, fruity, and cheesy fragrance molecules. This allows the turkey to pair with citric fruits such as grapefruit, pineapples, oranges, lemongrass, ginger, and cilantro.
Other fruits rich in aroma and can be paired with turkey include cranberries, chili peppers and parsnips. Use fruits to infuse the turkey with flavors, keep it moist while baking or roasting, and also serve as condiments for turkey dishes.
Fruits With Turkey: Conclusion
Turkey has become a fall and winter season staple food as well as healthy deli meat to make a quick sandwich. Combine sweet and savory tastes in the fruits with a hearty bird to make the meal taste exquisite from the infused fruity aroma.
Consider pairing fruits such as apples, oranges, cranberries, and apricots with turkey for your next turkey dinner or leftover meals.
For stuffing, consider citrus fruits such as lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit. These fruits can help to keep the meat moist inside and prevent the turkey an issue with drying up.
When it comes to serving turkey with a sauce or jam, stone fruit or berries are a great alternative in addition to apples, pears, plums, and pineapples. On the other hand, dried fruit such as raisins, dates and figs can add natural sweetness to the whole dish.
In general, turkey pairs beautifully with cranberries. However, a variety of fruits can complement this main entrée whether it is in the form of stuffing, side dish or sauce.