7 Surprising Flavor Combos to Try This Summer

Some summer flavor combos are basically law. Corn and butter? Of course. Tomato and basil? Naturally. But sticking to the usual suspects means missing out on a whole world of clever pairings hiding in plain sight. 

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes that celebrate unexpected flavors that collide in all the right ways. 

1. Tomatoes + Peaches + Chili Garlic Sauce + Fish Sauce

If tomatoes and peaches aren’t a go-to pairing for you, they should be. After all, what grows together goes together. In our Tomato, Peach and Burrata Salad with Chile-Lime Vinaigrette, the acidity of tomatoes plays off the sweetness of peak-summer peaches, bringing freshness to every bite. A spoonful of chili garlic sauce and a dash of fish sauce take it even further. The chili adds heat, the fish sauce adds funk, and together they give the fruit a savory edge that makes the whole dish hit harder.

2. Fish + Watermelon

Fish and watermelon aren’t a classic dinner combo, but trust us, it works beautifully in Blackened Fish Tacos with Watermelon Pico de Gallo. The seasoned cod cooks quickly on your Hybrid Double Burner Griddle before getting tucked into corn tortillas (extra credit if they’re homemade). A punchy watermelon pico de gallo with diced cucumber, red onion and serrano chile goes on top. It’s bright, juicy and just spicy enough to balance the rich fish. 

3. Strawberries + Coriander

We’re all for winging it in the kitchen, but sometimes a little food science goes a long way. In the case of strawberries, it turns out they share aromatic compounds with coriander. That means even a small pinch of ground coriander—typically used in savory dishes—can actually boost the berry’s natural flavor. Try it in our Skillet Strawberry and Brown Butter Crumble, where it subtly intensifies the fruit while playing off the richness of the brown butter. It’s a quiet twist that makes a big difference.

4. Cantaloupe + Sesame + Soy

If you’ve ever had prosciutto and cantaloupe, you already know the fruit shines in savory settings. In this Smashed Cucumber & Melon Salad with Spicy Sesame Crunch, it’s paired with smashed cucumbers and tossed in a gingery rice vinegar and soy vinaigrette. A handful of spicy sesame brittle adds crunch and heat, waking up every bite. It’s a fresh, punchy combination that just might change the way you think about cantaloupe.

5. Eggplant + Honey

Eggplant can be bitter, which is why it plays so well with salty, fatty and acidic ingredients. That’s the thinking behind our Sweet Chile & Ricotta Eggplant Toast: A touch of sweetness turns out to be what this bitter fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) needs. In our Roasted Miso & Gochujang Eggplant, it’s broiled with a mix of honey, umami miso and spicy gochujang that balance any bitterness and complement eggplant's plush texture.

6. Peaches + Rosé

Though char isn’t technically an ingredient, when it comes to peaches, grilling changes everything. In our Grilled Summer Peaches recipe, caramelized, tender fruit gets topped with gelato, crushed waffle cone, roasted almonds and a basil-infused rosé syrup. It’s easy, elegant and a total crowd-pleaser.

7. Pork Butt + Dr Pepper

Soda and pork might sound surprising if you haven’t tried it, but the combo has deep roots in Southern cooking. In our Dr Pepper Pulled Pork Sandwiches, the pork butt is braised in the soda until it’s fall-apart tender, adding just enough sweetness to balance the richness. This recipe is a project, but the payoff is real: Once the meat is piled onto soft rolls with homemade slaw and crispy onion rings, it's summer eating at its most rewarding.

Take these as inspiration for your own culinary creations and next time you’re wondering if eggplant goes with honey or strawberries go with coriander, the answer is yes. Emphatically, yes.