Perfect Pairings & Recipes for
Shrimp

Discover the best flavour pairings for shrimp based on data analysis of thousands of recipes. Find perfect ingredient matches & delicious recipes.

Shrimp is defined by the distinctive accents of iodine and glutamate, yet its initial saltiness is only the opening note. Beneath lies a complex tapestry of delicate sardine, hints of protease, and the salty character of brine that give it remarkable depth. The key to a beautiful pairing lies in recognising how these elements interact and harmonise.

To map these harmonies, we analysed thousands of ingredients, breaking each one down across 150 flavour dimensions, identifying which notes complement and contrast. Our analysis reveals, for example, how flat-leaf parsley's leafy tones carry shrimp, and how basil's linalool notes create a surprising synergy with its marine aroma.

An ingredient's flavour stems from its core characteristics, such as maillard, nectarous, or acidic, combined with layers of subtle flavour notes (outer bars). For a balanced dish, pair ingredients with a variety of core flavours, and choose complementary aroma notes for harmony.

The Secret Language of Flavour

To understand exactly which flavours harmonise, we compiled a database of over 50,000 ingredient pairings commonly used in cooking. We then analysed these pairings, identifying the specific flavour notes that frequently appear together.

The Flavours That Harmonise With Oceanic Notes

Our analysis shows that the flavour of iodine is strongly associated with the flavour of basil. This suggests we should look for ingredients with a basil-like flavour, such as basil, when pairing with the oceanic accents of shrimp.

The recipes below provide inspiration for pairing shrimp with basil.

Harmonious Flavours Of Shrimp

Just as our analysis revealed that iodine and basil-like notes are often used together, we can identify the full profile of flavours that harmonise with each of the flavour accents present in shrimp. For instance, the glutamic notes of shrimp are strongly associated with bay leaf and sage-like notes.

The aroma notes complementing the various notes of shrimp can be seen highlighted in the pink bars below.

Matching Flavour Profiles

The flavour profile of flat-leaf parsley offers many of the aroma accents complementary to shrimp, including leafy and grassy notes. Because the flavour profile of flat-leaf parsley has many of the of the features that are complementary to shrimp, they are likely to pair very well together.

The chart above shows the unique profile of flat-leaf parsley across 150 dimensions of flavour, while the recipes below offer inspiration for bringing these flavours together with shrimp.

Recipes That Pair Shrimp With Flat-leaf Parsley

Linked Flavour Notes

Looking at the aromas that are most strongly associated with the various flavours of shrimp, we can identify other ingredients that are likely to pair well.

The left side of the chart above highlights the aroma notes of shrimp, along with the complementary aromas associated with each note. While the right side shows some of the ingredients that share many of the aromas complementary to shrimp.

What To Drink With Shrimp

The grassy notes in sauvignon blanc (bordeaux) make it a perfect pairing with shrimp. Likewise, the grassy flavours in sauvignon blanc (loire valley) create a match made in heaven. Explore a variety of ingredients below that beautifully complement the unique character of shrimp below.

Which Fruit Go With Shrimp?

Choose fruit that anchor its savoryness or cut through its marine aroma. Green tomato offers vibrant, clean counterpoints, its verdant freshness lifting the palate. Plum tomato add a gentle, oniony brightness, while grape tomato introduces a sophisticated, anise-tinged elegance.

Alternatively, embrace fruit that harmonise with shrimp's savoriness. The addition of red bell pepper, with its subtle thymic notes, can complement the glutamate beautifully. Avocado bridges earthiness and citrus zest, while green grape lends a fresh aroma.

How Flavonomics Works

We've pioneered a unique, data-driven approach to decode the intricate art of flavour pairing. Our goal is to move beyond intuition and uncover the science of why certain ingredients harmonise beautifully. This rigorous methodology allows us to provide you with insightful and reliable pairing recommendations.

Our analysis begins with over 50,000 carefully selected recipes from acclaimed chefs like Galton Blackiston, Marcello Tully, and Pierre Lambinon. This premium dataset ensures our model distils genuine culinary excellence and creativity.

Each ingredient from these recipes is deconstructed across 150 distinct flavour dimensions, creating a unique numerical "flavour fingerprint." This quantification allows us to apply advanced analytical methods to identify complex patterns between flavour notes.

We identify popular ingredient combinations that frequently appear in our recipe database. Regression analysis is then performed on these pairings to statistically validate and pinpoint truly harmonious flavours.

These insights drive our predictive model, which allows us to take any ingredient (e.g., Shrimp), analyse its detailed flavour profile, and accurately reveal its complementary flavours and perfect ingredient partners.