Pickles and Peanut Butter: The Unlikely Classic
Let’s start with the combo that made the headlines and had everyone talking. The combination of pickles and peanut butter has been floating around the internet as a new creation that sounds disgusting but tastes great. Many students at IUP tried the combination and agreed that it really does taste good. This weird pairing actually has its roots in history – the peanut butter and pickle sandwich has been described as a lesser-known American comfort food with possible Depression-era origins.
One of the easiest weird food combos to create in your own kitchen, peanut butter and pickles is a winsome flavor agreement between the earthy qualities of peanuts and the tart tones of dill and vinegar. The secret lies in the contrasts – the creamy richness of peanut butter perfectly balances the sharp acidity of pickles. The sweet and sour initial tang of the relish was quickly overcome by the smooth, creamy savoriness of the peanut butter. As the two contrasting flavors, sandwiched between the soft bread, battled in my mouth I was left with only one thought: yummy!
French Fries Dipped in Ice Cream: Hot Meets Cold
You’ve probably done this at McDonald’s without even thinking twice about it, but dipping hot, crispy french fries into cold ice cream is actually one of the most beloved weird food combinations out there. In addition to the flavors, you’re also mixing the heat of a fresh box of fries with the coldness of the ice cream. Salty, sweet, hot, and cold all at the same time – what’s not to love? It’s such a popular combination that some specialty ice cream shops have experimented with fries-inspired flavors.
The hot, crisp fries paired with cold, creamy vanilla ice cream makes for an unforgettable taste and texture mix. Dip those piping hot fries right into the chilled shake or ice cream. The salt from the fries enhances the sweetness of the ice cream, creating that perfect balance your taste buds crave. The more unusual the milkshake flavor, the better – cookies and cream or mint chocolate chip milkshakes complement the fries beautifully. The unexpected blend of flavors and temperatures is strange yet satisfying.
Watermelon and Salt: Summer’s Hidden Secret
Sprinkling salt on watermelon might seem counterintuitive, but this combination has been around for generations and there’s actual science behind why it works so well. As with many of the other savory-sweet combos on this list, a pinch of salt will enhance the flavor of the watermelon’s natural sweetness. And as HuffPost explained, the salt makes the watermelon taste less bitter, too. The salt doesn’t just add flavor – it literally changes how your taste buds perceive the fruit.
This isn’t just some random internet trend either. The salt also enhances the melon’s flavors and makes it more refreshing. Some people even add a squeeze of lime for a sweet, salty, and sour explosion. The combination is so good that it’s become a staple at summer gatherings across the country. Whether you find it weird or wonderful, salted watermelon is a timeless summer treat.
Vanilla Ice Cream with Soy Sauce: East Meets Sweet
This one sounds absolutely bonkers until you actually try it, and then it makes perfect sense. Try a drizzle of soy sauce onto vanilla ice cream for an umami flavor explosion! The combination works because soy sauce adds a salty, umami depth that transforms the simple sweetness of vanilla into something complex and sophisticated. A drizzle of soy sauce on vanilla ice cream adds umami depth and a subtle saltiness – kind of like salted caramel with a twist.
What’s fascinating is how this combo plays with your expectations. Drizzle a small amount of soy sauce over vanilla ice cream to add a salty, umami twist to this sweet, creamy dessert. The contrast between the two flavours creates a unique and unforgettable taste experience. Don’t go overboard though – just a light drizzle is enough to create that perfect balance. Some adventurous dessert places have even started offering this as a legitimate menu item.
Banana and Mayonnaise Sandwiches: Southern Comfort
If you grew up in the South, this combination probably doesn’t seem weird at all. But for the rest of us, the thought of bananas with mayo can be pretty shocking. That’s right; to many in the southern U.S., there’s nothing like sliced banana in between two pieces of white bread that are slathered in mayonnaise – preferably Duke’s Mayonnaise, the go-to Southern condiment. According to fans, this combination works because the salt in the mayo complements the sweetness of the banana.
The southern banana mayo sandwich gained widespread popularity as a Great Depression recipe since it was easy and affordable. Mayo and banana sandwiches reportedly flourished during economic hardship as an affordable source of calories and nutrients. Today, people who grew up with this sandwich swear by its nostalgic comfort. Mayo, creamy and slightly tangy, rounds out the flavor and adds richness. On soft white bread, (or, better yet, toasted bread), the combo is almost nostalgic, like childhood lunches that blur the line between savory and sweet.
Olive Oil Drizzled on Ice Cream: Italian Sophistication
This sophisticated combination might sound pretentious, but it’s actually a legitimate dessert technique used in high-end restaurants. For a true salty-sweet combo, try adding a drizzle of olive oil and a few sea salt flakes to vanilla ice cream. You won’t regret it. The key is using really good quality extra virgin olive oil – it adds a fruity, peppery note that complements the sweetness beautifully.
This combination works because the olive oil adds extra creaminess and a slightly savory touch to vanilla ice cream. Olive oil can be added while making ice cream or lightly drizzled on top of vanilla ice cream. Some gelato shops in Italy have been serving this combination for years. Drizzling high-quality olive oil over ice cream introduces a savory element that enhances the dessert’s richness, a practice popular in Italy. It’s like turning your dessert into a gourmet experience with just one simple addition.
Chocolate and Cheese: Colombian Comfort
Before you wrinkle your nose, hear this one out. However, in Columbia, hot chocolate with cheese is a tradition and a delicacy that people in North America are only just starting to discover. The cheese used is called “queso campesino,” meaning rustic or country cheese. The best translation you can find in US grocery stores would probably be a mild mozzarella or halloumi. The cheese doesn’t overpower the chocolate – instead, it adds a creamy, salty element that enhances the richness.
This combination works on the same principle as salted caramel – the salt in the cheese brings out the sweetness in the chocolate while adding textural interest. You can try this at home by adding small pieces of mild white cheese to your hot chocolate and letting them melt slightly. The result is a drink that’s both comforting and surprisingly sophisticated, with layers of flavor that develop as you drink it.
Popcorn with Hot Sauce: Spicy Cinema
Movie theater butter is so last century – the real game-changer is drizzling your favorite hot sauce over freshly popped popcorn. Plain popcorn becomes a spicy, addictive snack with just a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. The heat from the sauce contrasts beautifully with the light, airy texture of the popcorn, and every kernel becomes a little flavor bomb.
This combination has actually become pretty mainstream – many gourmet popcorn shops now offer hot sauce flavored varieties. Elevate your movie night snack game by drizzling ketchup over your popcorn. This weird combination mixes the salty, buttery popcorn with the tangy, sweet taste of ketchup for a snack that’ll keep you reaching for more. You can experiment with different types of hot sauce too – sriracha adds sweetness, while habanero sauce brings serious heat.
Peanut Butter and Bacon Combo: Elvis Lives
This combination gained fame thanks to Elvis Presley, who famously loved his peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwiches. While the true origins of this combo aren’t clear, it’s long been attributed, along with peanut butter, to Elvis Presley. There’s the sweet, carb-heavy banana, paired with creamy peanut butter and salty bacon, an unlikely but delicious trio perfect for sandwich-making. But even without the banana, peanut butter and bacon create magic together.
Combining the creamy richness of peanut butter with the savory crispness of bacon results in a delectable contrast that’s both satisfying and indulgent. Spread peanut butter on toasted bread and top with crispy bacon slices for a savory sandwich. The combination works because the salt and smokiness of the bacon enhances the nuttiness of the peanut butter. For this combination, the bananas add a layer of sweetness that is balanced with earthy peanut butter. The bacon adds a salty, umami flavor that balances it all together.
Avocado and Chocolate: Healthy Indulgence
This combination has taken the health food world by storm, and for good reason. Avocado’s creamy, buttery texture naturally lends itself to chocolate-flavored recipes, of which there are many to choose from. Dip your toes into the flavor combination with an avocado and chocolate milkshake, which features cacao powder and a quarter avocado. The avocado doesn’t add flavor – it just makes everything incredibly rich and creamy.
The creamy texture of avocado complements the rich flavor of chocolate, making it an excellent base for vegan chocolate mousse. This blend results in a dessert that’s both indulgent and health-conscious. Blend ripe avocado with melted dark chocolate and a sweetener of your choice to create a silky mousse. People who try this combination are often shocked by how delicious it is. The avocado adds healthy fats and makes the chocolate taste even more decadent than usual.
Pizza with Ranch Dressing: The Great Divide
This one literally divides families and friend groups across America. What started as a dipping sauce obsession has become a cultural norm. The creamy tang of ranch complements cheesy, spicy pizza perfectly. You either love it or you hate it, but millions of Americans swear by dipping their pizza slices in ranch dressing.
The combination works because ranch provides a cooling contrast to hot, greasy pizza. If you want to give this a try, try it with our Air Fryer Pizza and Kefir Ranch Dressing. The tangy, herby flavors of ranch cut through the richness of cheese and sauce, creating a balance that keeps you coming back for more. Nearly everyone knows someone who dips their pizza in ranch. The theory is that the cold ranch cools down the hot pizza.
Oreos Dipped in Orange Juice: Citrus Surprise
Forget milk – some people swear by dunking their Oreos in orange juice instead. For a truly unique experience, try dunking your Oreos in orange juice. This weird food combination introduces a tangy, citrusy twist to the classic chocolate and cream cookie, creating a whole new flavour experience. The acidity from the orange juice actually enhances the sweetness of the cookie while adding a bright, fresh element.
This combination might sound absolutely wild, but think about it – chocolate and orange is a classic flavor pairing in fancy desserts. The orange juice just delivers that citrus flavor in liquid form. Some people describe it as tasting like a chocolate orange candy bar in cookie form. The key is timing – you want to dip quickly so the cookie doesn’t get too soggy, but long enough for the flavors to meld together.
People have always been adventurous with food, and these twelve combinations prove that sometimes the weirdest pairings create the most memorable experiences. Whether you’re team pickle-and-peanut-butter or think French fries belong strictly with ketchup, there’s something to be said for stepping outside your comfort zone. The beauty of these strange combinations lies in their ability to surprise us and challenge our preconceived notions about what tastes good together.
So next time you’re feeling brave in the kitchen, why not give one of these unusual pairings a try? Who knows – you might just discover your new favorite guilty pleasure.
