From mild to hot and spicy, oregano has a great variability with bold and earthy notes featuring a slight bitterness. Oregano is widely used in late autumn to late spring season in pasta, pizza, and salads in various world cuisine.
Whether added into flavorsome marinade, sprinkled over pizza, or stirred in soup, oregano instantly spices up a savory creation. Because of its mild and soft fragrant, it blends well with other ingredients as well.
What to eat with oregano? Typically, oregano is found in Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, and Spanish cuisine. It’s widely used in salads or salad dressing, especially Greek and soups with chicken, fish, and vegetables.
Additionally, this herb and spice is an excellent seasoning for red meats or grilled chicken. When it comes to seafood, it prefers oily pairing with fish that are baked or grilled.
However, avoid pairing oregano with desserts, cilantro, dill, mint, and tarragon. These herbs and foods do not go well due to the overpowering flavor of oregano.
It has an earthy and bold flavor with some slight bitterness. From other herbs to spices, vegetables, and cheese, there are countless options that taste perfectly together.
Its unique flavor comes from the natural oils within it, including carvacrol, pinene, thymol, and limonene.
This article answers the frequently asked questions about what to pair with oregano. When served with the appropriate foods, the flavor combinations will blend together magically.
What food goes well with oregano?
Pair oregano with artichokes, anchovies, cabbage, chicken, corn, cauliflower, bell peppers, lamb, fish, eggs, and eggplant. Oregano can also be paired with zucchini, pizza, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, sweet peppers, and beans.
- Vegetables: artichokes, arugula, bell peppers, broccoli, cucumber, eggplant, onions, potatoes, zucchini
- Fruits: lemon, plums, lime, oranges
- Beans: dried, white, black, cannellini
- Meat: beef, chicken, duck, lamb, pork, quail, rabbits, veal
- Seafood: shellfish, seafood, shrimp, squid, swordfish
- Cheese: feta, mozzarella, parmesan
- Bread: baguette, focaccia, rolls, soda bread
- Nuts: pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts
- Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Chianti, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Syrah, Zinfandel
What herb goes well with oregano?
Herbs, without a doubt, transform any dish by adding taste, flavor, and aroma. They can either be used fresh or dry, and either way, they’ll boost the taste and smell of the dish.
Some herbs that go well with oregano include:
What spice goes well with oregano?
Imagine a world without spices. Not intriguing at all, right? Spices are the star in many dishes. They make a meal aesthetically appealing and tasty at the same time.
Here are fool-proof spices that form the perfect duo with oregano include:
- chili peppers, especially piquillo
- chili powder
- cumin
- paprika
- pepper
What meat goes well with oregano?
Oregano is quite versatile, and therefore pairs perfectly with almost all meat types. It can be paired with pork, beef, chicken, lamb, and duck. As well as be paired with seafood such as lobsters, crab, oysters, mussels, and scallops.
Here are different parts that are widely served with oregano:
What flavor goes well with oregano?
Umami flavor of onion and garlic is the best to pair with oregano. Both are considered close cousins and are recognized for their efficiency in enhancing a great taste in food preparations.
They are both caramelized and used as a flavor powerhouse. They are sweet, savory, and spicy, adding an extra depth to oregano.
Here are classic flavor combination that chefs are fond of:
- oregano + basil + tomato
- oregano + lemon juice + marjoram
- oregano + parmesan cheese + almonds + olive oil
- oregano + red pepper + lemon juice + garlic
- oregano + dijon mustard + mint + vinaigrette
What pairs well with oregano?
Oregano pairs well with various ingredients including thyme, garlic, basil, and onion. Fresh herb leaves serve as an excellent garnish when added in moderation at the end of cooking, more so with hearty vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and cauliflower.
Oregano is best paired with:
- broths
- egg dishes
- mole sauces with Mexican oregano
- pasta sauces
- pizza
- salad dressings in Greek salad
- sausages
- soups with chicken, fish, vegetables
- stews
- stuffings
- tomato sauces
Eat With Oregano: Conclusion
The most common pairing for oregano is olive oil and other dried herbs to create flavorful oregano oil, vinaigrette, and marinades for chicken, lamb, and beef dishes.
For in depth flavor, combine with various ingredients like basil, garlic, and thyme to build incredible flavor in Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, and Spanish cuisine.
Soups, salads and stews benefit from the addition of oregano with meats, vegetables, and other herbs. Furthermore, sprinkle oregano on grilled or baked meat and fish as a main entrée.
Not all herbs pair well with oregano. Be careful not to use cilantro, mint, or tarragon with oregano; and do not add this herb in any desserts because oregano is more of a savory friendly dish than being useful in sweets.
When you have a handful of fresh or dried oregano, ensure to use these flavor combinations and classic food pairing ideas to elegantly complete your dish to enjoy every bite.