Sage is a herb that has been used for centuries to flavor and adds depth to savory dishes. With its earthy, slightly bitter taste, it can be a great addition to many different meals. But what foods go well with sage?
In this article, we’ll explore 15 perfect pairs for sage. We’ll look at which flavors work best together, as well as how each ingredient brings out the unique flavor of the sage itself. So get ready – your next meal could be even more flavorful than you thought possible!
What Goes Well With Sage?
Sage pairs well with a variety of foods, including poultry, pork, beans, and root vegetables, as well as in soups, stews, and stuffing. It is often used in Italian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines to add a warm, earthy flavor to dishes. Sage can also be combined with other herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and oregano to create flavorful seasoning blends.
1. Roast Chicken With Sage and Lemon
Roast chicken with sage and lemon is one of the crowd-favourites when it comes to meals that go well with sage. The combination of flavors makes everyone’s mouths water in anticipation – the subtle sharpness of lemon, the earthy notes of sage, and the juicy chicken itself.
To prepare this dish, an oven temperature of 350°F is recommended for best results. Start by seasoning the inside and outside of your whole chicken with salt and pepper, then stuffing it with a few sprigs of sage, some sliced lemons, fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary, some garlic cloves and butter or olive oil.
Roast your chicken until golden brown and serve with potatoes, vegetables or a salad. Cooking a made-from-scratch roast chicken with sage and lemon is sure to impress your guests; its fragrant aroma will get their stomachs growling before they even make it to the table.
2. Pork Chops With a Sage and Apple Stuffing
Pork chops with sage and apple stuffing are a perfect way to use up leftover bread and apples. The combination of sweet, tart apples, savory sage, and hearty pork chops is both comforting and delicious.
To make the stuffing, combine cubed bread with chopped apples, diced onion, pulled sage leaves, and melted butter. Fill your pork chops with the mixture and place them in an oven-safe dish. Bake the stuffed pork chops in a 350°F oven until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
This dish pairs well with roasted and mashed potatoes or sautéed onions, mushrooms and carrots. The sage and apple stuffing provides a delicious contrast to the savory pork chops, making this a meal that your family is sure to love.
3. Sage and White Bean Soup
Sage and white bean soup is a classic combination that adds warmth and depth to any cold winter night. It’s simple enough to make in just a few minutes, but the flavors will make it seem like you’ve been cooking for hours.
Start by sautéing onion, garlic and a few sprigs of sage in some olive oil. Add your favorite white beans, chicken or vegetable broth, and a few more sprigs of sage. Simmer the soup until the beans are tender and then puree it until smooth.
Serve the soup with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. The sage brings out the earthy flavor of the beans, while the Parmesan adds a salty complexity.
4. Sage and Butternut Squash Risotto
Butternut Squash Risotto is one dish that beautifully pairs with sage. The earthiness and slight anise flavor of the herb heighten the richness of this creamy rice dish – both in color and taste.
First, roast the squash to concentrate its natural sweetness. Then, sauté diced onion, grated garlic, sliced mushrooms and cubed squash in olive oil. Add arborio rice to the pan and toast it until it is golden brown.
Deglaze with white wine or vegetable broth before adding lemon-sage butter broth a little at a time. Finally, stir in Parmesan cheese, reserved cooked squash pieces and more sage leaves for a touch of crunchy texture and peppery flavor.
This simple but flavorful risotto proves that adding sage to vegetables really can work to elevate a dish – providing hints of complexity without overpowering the main ingredients.
5. Sage and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
If you’re looking for a simple way to make mashed potatoes special, try adding sage and roasted garlic. Refreshing sage leaves, when cooked, give off an irresistible aroma that steps up any kitchen creation.
Sage combines wonderfully with the earthy flavor of roasted garlic to impart even more complexity to this classic side dish. For best results, start by roasting whole garlic bulbs in a preheated oven for about 30 minutes – until they become fragrant and lightly golden brown.
Be sure to mix them well into the mashed potatoes so you can enjoy the delightful contrast between creaminess and crunchiness. Sprinkle some fresh sage leaves on top before serving for increased levels of pizazz.
6. Sage and Brown Butter Sauce for Ravioli
Sage and brown butter sauce is the perfect topping for ravioli. The combination of sweet, nutty brown butter with fragrant sage creates an irresistible flavor that pairs beautifully with the delicate pasta.
Start by melting butter in a pan over medium heat, stirring regularly until it starts to foam. Once the butter has taken on a golden brown color, stir in some dried sage leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Once the ravioli have been cooked and drained, add them to the sauce and simmer for a few minutes. Serve with extra sage leaves and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The delicious buttery flavor will bring out the full potential of this classic Italian dish.
7. Grilled Peaches With Sage and Honey
Grilled peach and sage is a simple yet elegant take on summertime desserts. To bring out the subtleties in both ingredients, ensure that you use fresh peaches.
Start by cutting them lengthwise and removing their pits. Then, heat your grill pan over medium-high heat to get it nice and hot for the peaches. Drizzle the halves with olive oil and sprinkle them generously with chopped fresh sage leaves.
Place the peach halves onto the preheated pan and cook until they’re golden brown and tender, about 4-5 minutes per side. Serve warm with a drizzle of both honey and olive oil and perhaps some crushed nuts or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream as an additional touch of sweetness.
8. Sage and Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Sage and roasted cauliflower soup is a delightful combination of creamy, earthy flavors that make it the perfect comfort food.
The key to a successful soup is to get the cauliflower caramelized before adding other ingredients. Start by preheating your oven and then tossing the florets of cauliflower in olive oil, salt and pepper.
Then, roast the florets until they become golden brown and tender. Once done, remove them from the oven and set aside. Now you can start making the soup – by sautéing some chopped onions in butter, followed by crushed garlic and chopped sage leaves.
Add the cauliflower to the pan and pour in some vegetable broth before simmering for about 20 minutes. Lastly, blend the soup until it’s smooth and creamy before serving. The herbs will add a delightful note of complexity to this simple yet satisfying soup.
9. Sage and Sun-Dried Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich
A marvelous combination of flavors, a Sage and Sun-Dried Tomato Grilled Cheese Sandwich surely knows how to hit all the right notes.
Earthy sage complements wonderfully with bright sun-dried tomatoes, creating a flavor profile that will tantalize your taste buds. To make this sandwich even more delicious, don’t forget to butter one side of each slice of bread and toast in a heated skillet until lightly golden and crisp.
Once done, layer the cheese, followed by sun-dried tomatoes that are roughly chopped for maximum impact. Lastly, add a generous pinch of sage leaves and seal your sandwich together. Enjoy it with some homemade tomato soup for a tasty lunch or dinner.
10. Sage and Lemon Roasted Salmon
Who said salmon has to be boring? With a few simple ingredients, you can transform it into an incredibly flavorful dish. Sage and lemon roasted salmon is the perfect example of this.
The earthy notes of sage balance out the bright acidity of lemon, resulting in a delectable flavor profile. To get amazing results, start with good quality, skinless salmon fillets and coat them with freshly chopped sage and a few zesty slices of lemon.
Drizzle the medley with olive oil, season to taste, then lay it all in an oven-safe pan and place it in a 400°F oven for around 20 minutes or until cooked through. An extra sprinkle of fresh parsley over top gives the finished dish added brightness.
11. Sage and Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta
Sage is a savory and intensely aromatic herb that is commonly used in Italian and Mediterranean cooking. As such, it’s no surprise that sage pairs exquisitely with roasted cherry tomatoes. The sweetness of the tomatoes perfectly complements the powerful notes of sage, resulting in a depth of flavor to pasta and other foods.
For example, a simple Sage and Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta can be created by roasting cherry tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper until they are lightly caramelized. When these sweet tomatoes are combined with sautéed onions and garlic infused with servings of buttery sage leaves, it creates an unintended complexity of flavor sure to impress dinner guests.
Sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top to add some crunchiness as well as nutty aromas for an elevated sensory experience to this comforting dish.
12. Sage and Cranberry Stuffed Pork Loin
Sage and cranberry stuffed pork loin is a recipe that you won’t soon forget. Pork loin meat has a naturally mellow and sweet flavor that, when combined with the tartness of the dried cranberries, results in a delicate balance of sweetness and tangy flavors.
As for what goes well with sage to enhance this unique taste experience even further, minced shallots and garlic combine to bring out all the aromatic notes of this delicious herb.
A sprinkling of thyme helps to create an alluring aroma, while freshly ground black pepper adds important spiciness that complements the natural meaty flavor of the pork perfectly.
Any extra stuffing ingredients should be herbs like parsley or rosemary, as they will have subtle yet exquisite impacts on the overall taste of your dish.
13. Sage and Roasted Beet Salad
Sage and Roasted Beet Salad make a delicious and nutritious dish that’s perfect for any time of the year. To prepare this salad, you need to first roast the beets. Peel the skin off and cut into cubes before tossing them in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Put them on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown. After roasting, toss with diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese slices, chopped sage leaves, and your favorite dressing.
When served warm, this colourful combination isn’t just pleasing to look at – it carries plenty of subtle flavour from the sage. For extra texture contrast, consider adding some roasted pistachios or peanuts too. Enjoy this Sage and Roasted Beet Salad as an appetizer or a main dish for any occasion.
14. Sage and White Wine Chicken
Sage and white wine chicken is a classic combination of flavors that never fails to disappoint. The earthy herb pairs perfectly with the light, crisp acidity of white wine, creating a formidable duo that shines in many dishes.
For best results, you want to use a dry or semi-dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay – stay away from overly sweet wines! To make the dish, start by marinating your chicken thighs with garlic and white wine, then seal in flavor by pan-searing until each side is golden brown.
From there, add some butter to the skillet and fry up the sage leaves until they crunch lightly when chewed – this will provide a delicious sage-infused butter sauce for the chicken.
Finally, simmer on low heat so that everything can cook together without drying out too quickly – you should end up with savory yet sweetly nuanced parsley-tinged chicken with a velvety glaze. Enjoy as is or serve over a bed of freshly steamed quinoa – delish!
15. Sage and Roasted Tomato Soup
A warming bowl of sage and roasted tomato soup is a great way to boost your immunity this winter season. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and other antioxidants, while sage adds a unique earthy flavor – the perfect combination!
To make this soup, start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and roasting the tomatoes for about 20 minutes. While that’s baking, heat some olive oil in a stock pot and add diced onions, carrots, and celery.
Once those are softened, add in the roasted tomatoes plus some chicken or vegetable broth and dried sage. Let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes, season with salt and pepper to taste, then purée in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Serve hot with a drizzle of cream or crumbled feta cheese on top, and you have the perfect bowl of warm and comforting soup.
Conclusion
Sage is a versatile herb with many uses in the kitchen. It can be used to flavor everything from poultry, pork, and beans to soups, stews, and stuffing. When combined with other herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano it creates an even richer flavor.
With its earthy, slightly bitter taste, it is the perfect addition to many different meals. From roasted root vegetables to hearty soups and more, there are plenty of perfect pairs for sage.
So why not try experimenting with this flavorful herb today? You’ll be surprised at how it can transform your favorite dishes!
