Rosemary is a year-round herb that has a very strong pungent aroma with tough leaves that are generally minced to add in the early cooking process or a whole sprig is toasted in while roasting meat or fish. Depending on when the herb is harvested, winter rosemary tends to be tender and milder compared to summer rosemary which is generally woody and stronger in flavor.
This herb has piney, resinous, peppery, lemon and woodsy notes that make any plain or bland ingredient even more exciting. Therefore, it tends to blend well with many dishes from meat to vegetables.
What to eat with rosemary? Rosemary pairs well with grilled chicken and fish, and roasted meats such as lamb. Additionally, season simple grilled or roasted vegetables, rosemary plays an important role to make the side dish fragrant and elegant.
This herb gives a beautiful element to add on top of baked goods including breads, cookies, and cakes. Additionally, use it to make a fancy butter blending with oregano, parsley, or sage is ideal.
However, avoid using rosemary in corn or zucchini dishes, Middle Eastern cuisine, salads are not recommended due to its strong and harsh texture that does not complement with delicate ingredients.
Typically, rosemary is used raw in grilling or roasted meat or fish to give off fragrance while cooking. Otherwise, it is prepared as a dried herb or ground powder to create sauce or blend a small amount into a dish as well.
Rosemary makes it easy to remember a particular dish when used as the main spice because it’s extremely powerful. It gives out an unforgettable taste and is not a delicate herb.
In this article, we focus on what to eat with rosemary. Answered below are frequently asked questions about the best ways to use rosemary while cooing other food so that the pairing is not overwhelming.
What goes well with rosemary?
From meat to vegetables, there are many ingredients that complement with rosemary. Whether you are adding rosemary into main entrée or on a side dish, use these preferred ingredients to enjoy the maximum flavor.
- Baked goods: breads, cakes, cookies, focaccia
- Beans: dried, fava, white, green
- Dairy: butter, cream, cream cheese, milk
- Game: rabbit, venison
- Grains: lentils, quinoa, farro
- Rice: white, jasmine, basmati, brown
- Nuts: cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, peanuts
- Seeds: pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, hemp seed, sesame seed, sunflower seeds
- Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, red wine, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Syrah, Zinfandel
Do rosemary and basil taste good together?
Yes, basil and rosemary taste extremely good together. In fact, basil is common for its use in Italian cuisine that does not overpower rosemary flavor when mixed into the dish.
Basil has a sweet, warm, peppery taste and works with many other herbs, including rosemary. Basil and rosemary combine perfectly to give desirable flavor in a dish making the two a great companion to various spices and cuisines.
From salads to sauces and main dishes, basil and rosemary can be blended together to add on lamb, chicken, stuffing, stew, breads, and roasted vegetables.
What spices go with rosemary?
Rosemary blends perfectly with other herbs and spices. This makes it ideal for use when one plans to use lots of spice in a dish with rosemary as the main herb.
According to classic cuisine pairings, spices that blend with rosemary include:
- bay leaf
- peppers
- lemon verbena
- cumin
- nutmeg
- star anise
- garlic
What fruit goes well with rosemary?
With the right fruit, rosemary is fabulous herb to create condiment using honey to drizzle over grilled fruit for dessert. With fresh rosemary, you can also create fruit compote, infused water, smoothie, gin refresher, and chutney for appetizer.
As a result, rosemary combines with a variety of fruits and greatly compliments the flavor profile. These fruits blend perfectly with rosemary:
- Stone fruits: apples, apricots, figs, pears
- Citrus fruits: grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange
- Berries: grapes, strawberries, cranberries
What cheese goes well with rosemary?
Soft and mild aged cheese and rosemary can make a fabulous dish including bread, snacks, cheesy potatoes, and macaroni and cheese for a side dish.
Here are specific cheese options that go well with rosemary:
- cheddar cheese
- goat cheese
- monterey jack cheese
- mozzarella cheese
- gouda cheese
- swiss cheese
What vegetable goes well with rosemary?
Rosemary is wonderful herb to pair with grilled or roasted vegetables. Any mild veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper become an excellent side dish to accompany the main entrée.
Rosemary goes well with most vegetables, which include:
- asparagus
- bell peppers
- brussels sprouts
- cabbage
- carrots
- cauliflower
- celery
- eggplant
- fennel
- peas
- potatoes
- radicchio
- spinach
- sweet potatoes
What meat goes well with rosemary?
Rosemary makes the most significant difference when used as an ingredient in preparing the meat, especially when roasting with large rosemary sprigs in the pan or on the grill.
Mincing rosemary and sprinkling all around tends to be too overwhelming in flavor, so it is preferred to use a few sprigs while cooking and then remove the woody stems before serving.
Meats that blend perfectly with rosemary are:
- beef
- chicken
- duck
- rabbit
- lamb
- pork
- veal
What fish goes well with rosemary?
Rosemary is a great herb to use in the preparation of a fish dish while cooking. It adds flavor to the fish, making it taste excellent and adding a sweet aroma to the plate.
Not all fish goes well with rosemary, therefore consider these specific kinds of fish when using the herb rosemary:
- mackerel
- salmon
- sardines
- shellfish
- swordfish
- tuna
What flavor goes with rosemary?
The clean and peppery flavor of garlic and parsley goes best with rosemary. This flavor has a touch of earthiness that makes it the perfect taste to use in the kitchen.
When combined with rosemary, it adds an unmistakable flavor and gives a sweet aroma to the dish.
Here are classic flavor combination that every chef’s are fond of:
- rosemary + anchovies + garlic
- rosemary + butter + lemon
- rosemary + garlic + parsley
- rosemary + garlic + lamb
- rosemary + garlic + lemon
- rosemary + garlic + wine
- rosemary + onions + potatoes
- rosemary + parmesan cheese + polenta
- rosemary + pork + sherry
Eat With Rosemary: Conclusion
Rosemary has a significant influence in the herb world. It’s easily recognized when used in a dish and is a star in preparing many delicious dishes.
This well-known herb that blends with many kinds of herbs, spices, vegetables, meat, cheeses and fish.
It is similar to lavender, basil, thyme and oregano. It requires being added early in the cooking process to give it time to release the natural oils and flavor.
Most of the time, rosemary complements well with grilled and roasted chicken, fish, lamb, and vegetables. It brings out the natural woodsy flavor and adds distinctive fragrant to the dish even with simple salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Because of its subtle flavor, rosemary pairs well with oregano, parsley, and sage to blend in sauce or spices. If you are looking to upgrade your dish, consider having fresh or dried rosemary to make your more meal exciting.