Who’s got time to figure out how to pair food and wine? Some nights, there’s barely enough time to get dinner on the table. Check out these 5 healthy dinner and wine pairings, perfect for any weeknight! Here’s the thing: While you may think that wine pairing is a job for the pros, it’s actually not as complicated as it seems. In fact, you only need to know a few basic principles. One way to choose a wine to go with dinner is to start with the sauce. Why is that? With a lot of recipes, you can swap out the protein – seitan for chicken, for instance – without changing the taste all that much. But the sauce? That’s really what defines a dish. If you’re running short on time and need to make dinner in 30 minutes or less, we feel you.
Our friends at online grocery service, Hungryroot have got you covered with their weekly deliveries featuring delicious sauces, sustainable proteins, veggies, grains, and more, in addition to simple and nutritious recipes. Staying healthy and on schedule? We’ll drink to that. Keep scrolling to see how we paired five of their tasty, versatile sauces with our favorite wines to create easy, healthy dinners perfect for weeknights. PLUS click here and use code BRIGHTCELLARS for $80 off from Hungryroot – that's $20 off each of your first four deliveries!
#1 Garlic Parm & Catarratto
When it comes to a velvety sauce like Hungryroot’s vegan Garlic Parm, you’re going to want a wine with enough acidity to cut through the creaminess. Catarratto (pronounced “CAT-er-RA-toe”) is a dry white wine from southern Italy with a hint of acidity.
Latin Root Catarratto offers a modern twist on the Old World elegance you’d traditionally find in this varietal. Notes of lemon zest in this wine complement the savory flavors in the sauce.
Recipe Recommendation: Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers with Side Salad
There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy Garlic Parm – whether you use it as pasta sauce, salad dressing, or a condiment to go with hot wings. Our favorite recipe pairing for this sauce is Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers with side salad. Ingredients:
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Spinach feta turkey patties
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Multigrain buns
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Butter lettuce or a spring mix
Simply sear the turkey burgers in a skillet, toast the buns, and assemble. You can spread the Garlic Parmesan sauce on the buns and enjoy it atop the mixed greens. Pour yourself a glass of Latin Root Catarratto and enjoy!
#2 House Dressing & Sauvignon Blanc
Think of Hungryroot’s House Dressing as a light and flavorful dijon vinaigrette with a twist. It makes for a zesty topping for salads and greens, and its herbaceous flavor pairs perfectly with Sauvignon Blanc. This light-bodied white wine with notes of citrus, peach, and slight “green streak” also happens to go well with salads and greens. Pretty convenient, huh?
Try it with our Kalypto Sauvignon Blanc - this wine has powerful aromas of grapefruit, lime, and peach with high levels of acidity.
Recipe Recommendation: Smoked Salmon and Edamame Salad
Enjoy their House Dressing over a healthy and hearty smoked salmon and edamame salad. Ingredients:
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Baby spinach
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Shelled edamame
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Smoked salmon
Cook and drain the edamame. Place it to a bowl with the spinach, drizzle some House Dressing on top, and then toss to combine. Add Hungryroot’s hot smoked roasted salmon on top and pour yourself a glass of Azuli Sauvignon Blanc.
#3 Cashew Cheddar & Cabernet Sauvignon
Hungryroot’s creamy, “cheese” is so delectable you’d never know that it’s vegan. You’ll want a dry wine with a decent amount of acidity to go with it, and Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent fit for cheddar.
Our Obscura Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect match. This dry wine pairs perfectly with the rich, creamy flavor of Cashew Cheddar, and the cheese mellows the acidity of the wine.
Recipe Recommendation: Can't Believe It's Not Mac 'n Cheese
Cashew Cheddar is heavenly in vegan mac and cheese, and this recipe for Can’t Believe It’s Not Mac ‘n Cheese is a step above the rest. Ingredients:
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Chickpea cavatappi
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Broccoli florets
You know the drill: Boil some water, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box, and drain. Saute the broccoli with salt and pepper, then cover it and allow it to steam for a couple more minutes. Finally, combine everything, stir in the sauce, and pour yourself a glass of Jumble Sale Cabernet Sauvignon.
#4 Thai Peanut & Riesling
Tangy and slightly sweet, Hungryroot’s Thai Peanut sauce is the perfect companion to pasta and stir fry. The only thing that can enhance the flavors in this sauce is a crisp and drinkable sweet white like Orange Muscat.
The Gladiolus Orange Muscat has aromatic notes of citrus zest and fresh-cut flowers that complement the spices in this sauce. When you run out of sauce, don’t worry: This wine will pair with just about anything.
Recipe Recommendation: Thai Peanut Chicken + Veggie Stir Fry
Enjoy the Thai Peanut sauce with a Chicken + Veggie Stir Fry. Ingredients:
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Stir fry veggies (broccoli, carrots, peppers – whatever gets you going!)
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Grilled chicken, shrimp, or another protein
In a skillet, cook the chicken (or whichever protein you choose) and set it aside. Then cook the veggies, add a little water, and cover to steam. Turn off the heat, add the protein back in, and stir in the sauce. Pour yourself a glass of Gladiolus Orange Muscat and enjoy!
#5 Coconut Curry & Chardonnay
Their sweet and slightly spicy Coconut Curry will absolutely rock your world. Since it’s rich and creamy, a wine with a kick of acidity and notes of lemon will make the perfect match.
With notes of bright lemon and tropical fruit like pineapple and mango, Meet Cute Chardonnay really brings out the flavors in this sauce.
Recipe Recommendation: Coconut Curry Tofu Bowl
While their Coconut Curry is delicious over sautéed veggies, over pasta, or on sandwiches, we love it in rice bowls. Try it in this Coconut Curry Tofu Bowl. Ingredients:
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Rice, quinoa, or a grain blend
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Snap peas
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Tofu
Cook the grains according to the instructions on the box. Saute the snap peas until tender with a little salt and pepper. Add the tofu bites. Combine everything into a bowl, and mix with Coconut Curry. Pour yourself a glass of Meet Cute Chardonnay and enjoy!
In Vino Finito
When you find a healthy dinner and wine pairings that works, you can use it again and again while experimenting with different ingredients and serving styles. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or hosting a gathering for friends, these pairings are sure to please any palate. Click here and use code BRIGHTCELLARS to get $80 off your first FOUR deliveries! For more wine wisdom, subscribe to our daily newsletter, Glass Half Full.
