Red sangria is a popular Spanish wine punch made with red wine and fruit juices. It has a sweet, fruity taste that pairs well with a variety of foods. When planning a party with sangria, it’s important to think about what appetizers, entrees, and desserts will complement the flavor profile of the sangria. Here’s an overview of the best food pairings for red sangria.
Cheese and Charcuterie Boards
A cheese and charcuterie board is a classic pairing with red sangria. The salty, savory cheeses and cured meats contrast nicely with the fruit-forward sweetness of the wine punch. Some excellent cheese choices include:
- Manchego
- Goat cheese
- Brie
- Gruyere
For charcuterie, opt for:
- Prosciutto
- Salami
- Chorizo
- Jamón serrano
The fat in the cheese and charcuterie helps cleanse the palate between sips of sangria. French baguettes, crackers, olives, nuts, and dried fruits are also excellent cheese board accompaniments.
Tapas
Spanish tapas are ideal for serving with sangria. Small bites like stuffed peppers, meatballs, shrimp skewers, and bacon-wrapped dates allow guests to pace themselves while sipping on the alcoholic punch. Some top tapas ideas:
- Patatas bravas – Fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce
- Albondigas – Meatballs in tomato sauce
- Gambas al ajillo – Garlic shrimp
- Pinchos morunos – Spiced pork skewers
- Pan con tomate – Grilled bread rubbed with tomato and garlic
- Croquetas – Breadcrumbed fried ham and cheese croquettes
The tomato-based dishes and savory meats pair nicely with the berry and citrus flavors in the sangria.
Finger Foods and Appetizers
In addition to Spanish tapas, other finger foods and easy appetizers make good matches for red sangria:
- Bruschetta topped with tomato, basil, and balsamic
- Caprese salad skewers with cherry tomato, basil, and mozzarella
- Stuffed mushrooms
- Bacon-wrapped shrimp
- Baked brie with fruit compote
- Meatballs
- Deviled eggs
- Guacamole and chips
The bright flavors complement the sangria without overpowering it. Guests can nibble while they mingle and sip.
Seafood
Fresh seafood makes an elegant pairing with red sangria. The acidity of the wine balances rich fish like salmon and tuna beautifully. Great seafood choices include:
- Seared scallops
- Crab cakes
- Shrimp skewers
- Ceviche
- Fish tacos
- Grilled salmon
- Seared ahi tuna
For vegetarian guests, roasted vegetables, vegetable skewers, and stuffed peppers can stand in for the seafood.
Grilled Meats
The fruitiness of red sangria works as a foil for savory, rich grilled meats. The tannins in the wine cut through the fattiness. Good grilled meat choices include:
- Steak
- Lamb chops
- Pork tenderloin
- Chicken
- Sausages
- Kebabs
Serve the grilled meat entrees with hearty side dishes like roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, ratatouille, or grilled vegetables.
Pizza
The acidity in red sangria cuts through cheesy, greasy pizza beautifully. Some excellent pizza pairings include:
- Margherita
- Pepperoni
- Barbecue chicken
- Vegetable
The herbs, tomato sauce, cheese, and meats pair nicely with the blend of fruit and red wine flavors in the sangria. The carb-heavy crust also helps absorb the alcohol.
Spanish Dishes
In addition to tapas, other traditional Spanish meat dishes complement the flavors of homemade red sangria nicely. Great choices include:
- Paella
- Pork roast
- Meatballs in tomato sauce
- Chicken stew
The tomatoey, paprika-infused flavors of these slow-cooked Spanish classics stands up well to the berry and citrus notes in the sangria.
Spicy Foods
The sweet fruity wine punch benefits from some spicy heat to balance it out. Consider serving some of these spicy dishes:
- Buffalo wings
- Jerk chicken
- Tandoori chicken
- Empanadas
- Stuffed peppers
- Arrabiata pasta
- Chili
The punch of spice keeps the palate refreshed between sips of sangria. The fruitiness of the drink cools the heat of the spicy foods.
Fajitas
Sizzling steak or chicken fajitas are an excellent pairing with red sangria. The blend of savory meat, onions, and peppers complements the red wine and fruit juices perfectly. Let guests assemble their own fajitas with warm tortillas, sauteed onions and bell peppers, guacamole, salsa, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream on the side.
Quesadillas
Another Mexican option – quesadillas are a crowd-pleasing match for red sangria. Fill flour or corn tortillas with cheese, chicken, steak, shrimp, beans, or veggies. Serve with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. The sangria’s berry flavors contrast beautifully with hot, cheesy quesadillas fresh off the griddle.
Fruit and Cheese
For dessert, serve up a fruit and cheese board along with the remaining sangria. Pair bold, fruity cheeses like camembert and brie with fresh fruit like berries, grapes, figs, and melon. The fruit accentuates the berry notes in the sangria while the creamy cheese balances the acidity of the wine. Add nuts and dark chocolate for texture and richness.
Churros
Spanish churros, dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate dipping sauce, make an indulgent dessert pairing for red sangria. The fried dough soaks up the alcohol while the sweetness contrasts the wine’s tartness. Other fried dough foods like sopapillas or beignets would also pair nicely.
Sorbet
For a light, refreshing dessert, offer bold fruit sorbets like mango, raspberry, or lemon. The intense fruit flavors echo the sangria’s berries and citrus. The cold creamy texture balances the drink’s crisp bite.
Cookies
Finally, a plate of cookies makes an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert with red sangria. The sweetness and fat helps temper the wine’s acidity. Great options include:
- Sugar cookies
- Shortbread
- Macarons
- Biscotti
- Mexican wedding cookies
- Chocolate chip
Conclusion
When planning a Spanish fiesta with red sangria, think about pairing the fruity wine punch with foods that feature contrasting flavors and textures. The acidity and berry sweetness complements rich meats, charcuterie, sharp cheeses, seafood, pizza, tapas, and spicy dishes beautifully. For dessert, serve up fresh fruit, cookies, churros, or sorbet. With the right pairings, your guests will enjoy the floral red sangria to the last sip.