Maple and bacon is one of the great North American sweet-savoury pairings—the syrup's earthy, caramel sweetness plays perfectly against the cured, smoky, salty pork.
maple syrup
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The concentrated sap of maple trees — primarily sucrose (66–68% in grade A) with trace minerals and over 60 flavor compounds produced during the concentration…
72 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Maple sap (approximately 2% sugar) is concentrated by boiling to roughly 40:1 ratio, producing syrup at 66–68% sugar content. The Maillard browning and caramelization that occur during this process create the characteristic maple flavor compounds — sotolone (same compound responsible for fenugreek's maple note), maple furanone, and various aldehydes and ketones. Grades matter: Grade A Golden (formerly "Extra Light") is mild, delicate, best for direct consumption on pancakes; Grade A Amber has more complex flavor and works for both table and cooking; Grade A Dark (formerly "Grade B") has the most intense maple flavor and is best for baking and savory applications where the full maple character is desired. In savory cooking, maple syrup's complex sweetness is a natural partner for bacon, mustard, vinegar (in glazes and salad dressings), soy sauce (in Asian-influenced preparations), and with game meats and poultry. The combination of maple syrup and Dijon mustard is particularly versatile — as a glaze, in vinaigrette, and as a dipping sauce.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Core pairings
bacon
butter
cinnamon
pecans
vanilla
walnuts
bacon
Maple and bacon is one of the great North American sweet-savoury pairings—the syrup's earthy, caramel sweetness plays perfectly against the cured, smoky, salty pork.
butter
Butter rounds maple syrup's woodsy sweetness with dairy richness, which is why pancakes basically demanded this pairing and humanity obeyed.
cinnamon
Cinnamon adds warm spice that deepens maple's caramel and wood notes, especially in breakfast dishes and baked goods.
pecans
Pecans bring buttery crunch and gentle bitterness that balance maple syrup's sweetness in pies, pralines, and roasted nuts.
vanilla
Vanilla smooths maple syrup's woodsy sweetness into something softer and more dessert-like.
walnuts
Walnuts add tannic bitterness and crunch that keep maple syrup's sweetness from becoming flat.
butter
Butter rounds maple syrup's woodsy sweetness with dairy richness, which is why pancakes basically demanded this pairing and humanity obeyed.
Cinnamon adds warm spice that deepens maple's caramel and wood notes, especially in breakfast dishes and baked goods.
Pecans bring buttery crunch and gentle bitterness that balance maple syrup's sweetness in pies, pralines, and roasted nuts.
Vanilla smooths maple syrup's woodsy sweetness into something softer and more dessert-like.
Walnuts add tannic bitterness and crunch that keep maple syrup's sweetness from becoming flat.
Pairs well with
almonds
anise
apples
apricots
baked goods
bananas
blueberries
breakfast / brunch
buttermilk
caramel
carrots
chestnuts
chocolate
coffee
corn syrup
cream
cream cheese
custard
dates
desserts
duck
figs
foie gras
french toast
fruit
ginger
ham
hazelnuts
ice cream, coffee
ice cream, vanilla
lemon, juice
lime, juice
macadamia nuts
mascarpone
nectarines
nutmeg
nuts
oats
onions
orange
pancakes
peaches
pears
persimmons
pineapple
plums
pork ribs
prunes
pumpkin
quince
raisins
raspberries
rhubarb
rum, dark
rum, light
star anise
strawberries
sweet potatoes
sugar, light brown
sugar, raw
sugar, white
tea
turkey
waffles
whiskey
yogurt
almonds
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
anise
Anise adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against maple syrup's natural base notes.
apples
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
apricots
Apricots adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
baked goods
Baked Goods gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
bananas
Bananas adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
blueberries
Blueberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
breakfast / brunch
Breakfast / Brunch complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
buttermilk
Buttermilk adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
caramel
Caramel adds seasoning or sweetness that balances maple syrup's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
carrots
Carrots adds complementary vegetable character, giving maple syrup more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
chestnuts
Chestnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
chocolate
Chocolate adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances maple syrup's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
coffee
Coffee adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances maple syrup's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
corn syrup
Corn Syrup complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
cream
Cream adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
cream cheese
Cream Cheese adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
custard
Custard adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
dates
Dates adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
desserts
Desserts gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
duck
Duck adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
figs
Figs adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
foie gras
Foie Gras adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
french toast
French Toast complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
fruit
Fruit adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
ginger
Ginger complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
ham
Ham adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
hazelnuts
Hazelnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
ice cream, coffee
Ice Cream, Coffee adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
ice cream, vanilla
Ice Cream, Vanilla adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens maple syrup's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lime, juice
Lime, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens maple syrup's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
macadamia nuts
Macadamia Nuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
mascarpone
Mascarpone adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
nectarines
Nectarines adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
nutmeg
Nutmeg adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against maple syrup's natural base notes.
nuts
Nuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
oats
Oats gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
onions
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens maple syrup's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
orange
Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens maple syrup's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
pancakes
Pancakes gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
peaches
Peaches adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
pears
Pears complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
persimmons
Persimmons adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
pineapple
Pineapple adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
plums
Plums adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
pork ribs
Pork Ribs adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
prunes
Prunes adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
pumpkin
Pumpkin adds complementary vegetable character, giving maple syrup more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
quince
Quince adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
raisins
Raisins adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
raspberries
Raspberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
rhubarb
Rhubarb brings acidity and brightness that sharpens maple syrup's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
rum, dark
Rum, Dark adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps maple syrup work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
rum, light
Rum, Light adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps maple syrup work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
star anise
Star Anise adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against maple syrup's natural base notes.
strawberries
Strawberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
sweet potatoes
Sweet Potatoes gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
sugar, light brown
Sugar, Light Brown adds seasoning or sweetness that balances maple syrup's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, raw
Sugar, Raw adds seasoning or sweetness that balances maple syrup's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, white
Sugar, White adds seasoning or sweetness that balances maple syrup's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
tea
Tea complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
turkey
Turkey adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
waffles
Waffles gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
whiskey
Whiskey adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps maple syrup work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
yogurt
Yogurt adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
Anise adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against maple syrup's natural base notes.
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Apricots adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
baked goods
Baked Goods gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Bananas adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Blueberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
breakfast / brunch
Breakfast / Brunch complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Buttermilk adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Caramel adds seasoning or sweetness that balances maple syrup's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Carrots adds complementary vegetable character, giving maple syrup more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Chestnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
chocolate
Chocolate adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances maple syrup's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
coffee
Coffee adds roasted bitterness and depth that balances maple syrup's sweetness, richness, or aromatic intensity.
corn syrup
Corn Syrup complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
cream
Cream adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Cream Cheese adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
custard
Custard adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Dates adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
desserts
Desserts gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Duck adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
figs
Figs adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Foie Gras adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
french toast
French Toast complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
fruit
Fruit adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Ginger complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Ham adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Hazelnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
ice cream, coffee
Ice Cream, Coffee adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
ice cream, vanilla
Ice Cream, Vanilla adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens maple syrup's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lime, juice
Lime, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens maple syrup's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Macadamia Nuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
Mascarpone adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Nectarines adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Nutmeg adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against maple syrup's natural base notes.
nuts
Nuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives maple syrup more contrast and substance.
Oats gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens maple syrup's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
orange
Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens maple syrup's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
pancakes
Pancakes gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Peaches adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Pears complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Persimmons adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
pineapple
Pineapple adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Plums adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Pork Ribs adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Prunes adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Pumpkin adds complementary vegetable character, giving maple syrup more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Quince adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Raisins adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Raspberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Rhubarb brings acidity and brightness that sharpens maple syrup's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
rum, dark
Rum, Dark adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps maple syrup work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
rum, light
Rum, Light adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps maple syrup work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
star anise
Star Anise adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against maple syrup's natural base notes.
Strawberries adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out maple syrup's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Sweet Potatoes gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
sugar, light brown
Sugar, Light Brown adds seasoning or sweetness that balances maple syrup's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, raw
Sugar, Raw adds seasoning or sweetness that balances maple syrup's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sugar, white
Sugar, White adds seasoning or sweetness that balances maple syrup's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
tea
Tea complements maple syrup by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Turkey adds savory richness and browned depth that gives maple syrup more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
waffles
Waffles gives maple syrup a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Whiskey adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps maple syrup work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Yogurt adds richness and helps carry maple syrup's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.