When you think about it, yogurt and meat might seem like an odd pairing. The stodgy dairy, the slippery fish sauce. But the two have an undeniable affinity, stemming from similar origins and cultures.
With so many delicious flavors to choose from, it’s no wonder that so many people like the idea of pairing yogurt with different kinds of meats.
Let’s discover the best ways to pair yogurt with your favorite meats.
What Goes with Yogurt?
Yogurt is a dairy product, which means that it’s a great fit for many kinds of meats, both red and white. Here are some of the best ways to pair yogurt with a variety of meats.
Pork – Sweeten your pork with a sweet fruit yogurt. Apples, bananas, and oranges are all good choices. A sweet fruit yogurt would also be great with a pork burger made with a sweet bun.
Beef
Beef is a sturdy meat that is great for braising, stewing, and slow cooking. While beef may be delicious in these ways, it’s also a tough meat. Yogurt is a much lighter meat, which would be perfect for pairing with beef. A little yogurt on top of a beef stir-fry, or on top of a beef burger would give your meal a delicious and lighter flavor. Try yogurt with beef stew, too.
Chicken
Chicken is a great source of protein, but it can also be bland. Pairing it with yogurt gives it a softer flavor, but it also gives it a little extra richness. A simple chicken salad made with yogurt and carrots would be great with chicken. Chicken soup is another delicious and warming way to use chicken.
Fish
Fish is usually a light, delicate food. Pairing it with yogurt, though, gives it a little extra richness and creaminess. You can use yogurt in any number of ways when making fish. Try it in a fish taco, or spooned on top of a fish and chips dinner.
Lamb
Lamb is a rich and flavorful meat, but it can be very fatty. Pairing it with yogurt, then, makes it a little creamier, but also gives it a unique and delicious flavor. Try yogurt with a lamb shawarma or with a Greek lamb burger.
Conclusion
So, what exactly is yogurt, and why is it so great to pair with different kinds of meats? Yogurt is a bacteria-free milk product that can be made from cow, sheep, goat, or even camel’s milk.
Different brands of yogurt will often come in a variety of different flavors, like vanilla, and honey. But the most popular choice for yogurt is probably the vanilla variety.
Now, when we think about meat and dairy pairings, we usually think about beef and dairy products like cheese, or butter. But yogurt and meat are actually a lot closer than you might think.
Like dairy products, yogurt is made from milk, but it uses a different bacteria to make it. This bacteria is called lactobacillus.