Sangria is a refreshing drink that can be enjoyed year-round when paired correctly with the right food counterparts. But just what type of food goes with sangria?
In this blog, we outline the perfect 3-course meal – with options, so you can mix and match as you please, and never get bored of the same pairings – that will leave you feeling like you’ve just enjoyed a night out in seaside Barcelona.
What Food Pairs Well with Sangria?
I’m sure by now you’ve read some blogs on what foods go well with certain wines, but sangria is a bit different. So, what food goes with sangria?
The answer is there are lots of different foods, for every meal. Whether you’re having a dinner party or just a backyard get-together, here are some food options to pair with your sangria.
First, you’ll want to choose either classic red or white sangria. Add a splash of brandy for an extra kick of flavor (and alcohol) and you’re ready to start cooking!
Cheese That Pairs Well with Sangria
Due to its refreshing and fruity nature, sangria pairs best with salty, smoky, and even spicy dishes.
Luckily, cheese comes in all shapes and sizes and typically goes well with at least one or two dishes.
The most important thing to remember when pairing with your red or white sangria – the earthier the better.
Our favorite cheeses to pair with sangria are:
- Blue Cheese – its moldy, crumbly composition makes it an obvious choice to offset the sweetness of sangria
- Gorgonzola or Roquefort – both pair well with naturally sweet fruits and drinks
- Parmesan – with its dry texture and salty, nutty profile, this one is a must
- Stilton – this creamy, grassy flavored cheese goes perfectly with sugary flavors
A few honorable mentions are brie, asiago, and muenster, which are crowd favorites and usually accompany any fruit or saltier food pairing.
For an extra juicy touch, add a side of olives to your plate to combat the dry, crumbly sensation of the cheese assortment.
Tapas to Serve with Sangria
Have you ever thought after eating something savory, “Now I need something sweet!”
Us, too.
That’s why when we put together this dinner menu full of options, we kept the concept of a salty and sweet pairing in mind. Because there’s nothing better than washing down a bite of meat or a crunchy cracker with a cool, refreshing glass of something fruity and punchy until you’re ready to tackle more.
For your first course of the night – following the hors d’oeuvre cheese platter, if you chose to incorporate those tasty snacks into the night – there are a number of delicious tapas that you can easily make at home and ‘wow’ your guests with.
- Cured meats – such as Iberian ham, a delicacy in Spain and most commonly followed or accompanied with cheese. Also complimented by salami and prosciutto. Add some Marconi almonds in a small bowl on the side, and your guests will be in tapas heaven!
- Chips/Pita and Dip – For an easy, no-cook option and fan-favorite, grab some chips, pita, and dip from your local grocer or make a homemade chipotle salsa to add a hint of smokiness to spice up the night and complement each sip of sangria. Guacamole is also a great option to truly win over your guests!
- Croquettes – filled with any kind of seafood you can think of, such as crab, squid, or even a cod and shrimp croquette combo. Croquettes are a staple in the Spanish diet and go perfectly alongside a glass of ice-cold sangria.
If you want to dive into the full Spanish culture, there is a list of the most common tapas in Spain that is sure to pair well with any red or white sangria you may serve at your party!
Entrees that Pair Well with Sangria
Next up, we’ve got the main course alongside your sangria of choice – and you won’t be short of options here!
When choosing what dinner to serve your guests, it’s recommended to choose something that will either be grilled, seafood or meat, and savory, so that it complements the floral components of your sangria.
- Seafood Paella – we know what you might be thinking: how the heck am I going to make that and have it turn out tasty?! This Spanish paella recipe will have your guests believing that you were raised seaside in Valencia with the authentic, flavorful combination of saffron rice, clams, scallops, and vegetables!
- Empanadas – If you’d like to opt-out of seafood, we suggest chorizo or beef empanadas! This flaky, crescent-shaped turnover will be just the right amount of salt and savory to go with a refill of sangria.
- Fish Tacos – either fresh tuna here or any kind of flaky, white fish that you can grill or fry up and add a cabbage slaw on top of with a squeeze of lime will be finger-licking good! Refresh your palate after each bite with your sangria, and enjoy!
Each of these mouthwatering dishes is sure to earn you the title of the best cook in the house!
Desserts that Go Well with Sangria
Finally, to tuck away all those savory and sensational dishes, we suggest serving up a light dessert for your guests to wash down their final drops of sangria with.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies – An easy-to-make option that will be just the perfect amount of sweet to end the night with is a classic: chocolate chip cookies, sprinkled with salt on top. The sweet and salty combination, and the childhood favorite, is a crowd-pleaser alongside any remnants of sangria. So light, you may even opt for a second!
- Lemon Bars – a tasty, zesty treat that is set apart by all the flavors that have come before it, these easy-to-make lemon bars can be left in the fridge until you’re ready to serve! Beware, once you’ve started, it will be hard to stop.
- Flan – For a Spanish nod, we recommend pairing sangria with flan. This pillowy, creamy delicacy will have your guests dreaming of it for nights to come. It is the perfect complement to the flavor profiles of dinner and light enough to swallow down with your sangria.
So there you have it – your Madrid-esque dinner menu. Don’t forget to sip on your own sangria, and enjoy the compliments that will be flowing throughout the evening from this impeccable combination of flavors and cultural delicacies adopted from Spain. You may need your pen ready and recipes handy for this fun-filled night!
Host Your Next Dinner Party With Señor Sangria
Señor Sangria was made for this exact reason – to share with loved ones!
Whether it was simply in the kitchen while snacking, on the back porch while grilling, or on the table while eating together, we wanted to make a homemade sangria recipe that everyone would enjoy.
Now, that same recipe is available in bottles, both online or in stores!