Here Are 12 Perfect Meal and Drink Pairings for In-Season Produce

*Collaborative Post

It’s always exciting when your favorite veggies are in season again. This weekend, visit a farmer’s market after getting inspired by these perfect meal and drink pairings. You’ll use the freshest, most budget-friendly groceries in new ways every day.

Spring Meal and Drink Pairings

1. Strawberry Salad and Rosé

Strawberries might be the first thing you think about when spring weather rolls into town. Slice them on top of your favorite salad with feta cheese and pair the meal with rosé. The sweet, bubbly flavors complement each other and keep the meal light.

2. Stuffed Avocado Tacos and Margaritas

You’ll see more avocados at farmers markets and grocery stores in the spring, so use them to make stuffed tacos. You only need to cook ground beef, mix taco seasonings into the meat and spoon the mixture into avocado halves. The cheesy, savory meal is perfect with classic margaritas in chilled glasses.

3. Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs and Pale Lagers

Get into the spring spirit by getting in-season pineapples during your next grocery store trip. You can slide the juicy chunks onto skewers with chicken and green bell peppers. You and your family will adore the grilled flavors while the adults sip on pale lagers from a local brewery.

Summer Meal and Drink Pairings

1. King Crab Legs and Mojitos

Warm summer weather is an invitation to seafood foodies. Kick back with steamed King Crab legs and your favorite side dishes. Each bite of the rich, sweet seafood will delight your tastebuds alongside mojitos made with light rum to enhance your meal’s flavor profile.

2. Mango Salsa Salmon and Sherry Wine

Grilled salmon is a classic summer meal, but you can make it even more enjoyable with seasonal summer mangoes. Slice them into bite-sized pieces and combine them with mild salsa or a homemade version made with onions, tomatoes and bell peppers. The occasional sip of fruity sherry wine will round out your newest favorite meal.

3. Eggplant Parmesan and Zinfandel Wine

Eggplants are versatile summer vegetables. Snag a few at your farmer’s market and transform them into eggplant parmesan. You’ll only need cheese, milk and a few eggs to create a creamy dish that impresses your family. Finish your meal with a glass of Zinfandel wine and consider using your leftover eggs for other fun activities like a spiritual cleansing or fertilizing your garden.

Fall Meal and Drink Pairings

1. Cauliflower Cheddar Soup and Molasses Beer

You can’t fail when you try making cauliflower soup. Simmer the sliced cauliflower florets in chicken broth and cheddar cheese. You’ll end up with a savory dish that tastes great with molasses beer. The sweet undertones of the cheese and molasses will dance with each other across your tastebuds as the soup warms you on chilly fall evenings.

2. Lobster Gnocchi and Negronis

Potatoes are a dependable fall veggie you can transform into homemade gnocchi with flour and eggs. Cook the gnocchi and simmer it in a lobster sauce before serving bowls to your family. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a negroni to match the sweet seafood flavors with licorice undertones.

3. Stuffed Butternut Squash and Chardonnay

It wouldn’t be autumn without the occasional butternut squash meal. Make it for dinner while the leaves fall in your backyard and sip on chardonnay with your loved ones. The sweet flavors balance each other out, while the stuffed squash gives everyone a taste of wild rice, cranberries and ground turkey.

Winter Meal and Drink Pairings

1. Sweet Potato Chicken Chili and Cabernet Sauvignon

Use your favorite homemade chili recipe when the weather gets cold and add some sweet potato chunks to transform it into a seasonal meal. The famous orange veggie becomes ripe in the winter, so add it to your chili to boost its nutrient profile. It pairs well with cabernet sauvignon, which adds a dry bite to the sweet meal.

2. Pumpkin Lasagna Rollups and Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sours

Get inspired by the pumpkins freshly harvested in winter by adding them to your next Italian night. Pumpkin puree mixed with ricotta and mozzarella cheese line individual lasagna noodles before you roll them up and bake them in creamy marinara sauce. The savory dish is perfect with cinnamon maple whiskey sours, which utilize the classic winter spice to balance sweet and woody flavors.

3. Winter Kale Salad and Hard Apple Cider

Kale is available year-round, but farmers traditionally harvest it in the winter. Load up during a seasonal run to your closest farmer’s market and wash it for quick meal prepping. You’ll love loading a bowl with kale, pecans, chopped red onion and pomegranate seeds. The concoction has a sweet and sour flavor that blends well with the occasional sip of hard apple cider.

Use Your In-Season Produce

Whether you want to save money or switch up your typical meals, in-season produce is an excellent resource for families. Check local markets and grocery stores to see what’s available before making beloved recipes like these with your favorite paired drinks.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.