Red currant jelly, a delightful and tangy preserve made from red currants, is a versatile ingredient used in various culinary creations. Its distinct sweet and tart flavor profile enhances both sweet and savory dishes, making it a kitchen staple for many.
However, there may be scenarios where you're seeking a red currant jelly alternative to reduce your sugar intake, facing an unavailability of this unique jelly, or simply exploring new flavors.
At GOOD GOOD, we're here to help you find the perfect substitute.
In this article, we'll explore our top nine picks for the best red currant jelly alternative, most of which are conveniently available in our 99% sugar free jelly and jam range.
Let's dive into the world of flavorful alternatives that can elevate your culinary experiences!
What this article covers:
- Top 9 Red Currant Jelly Substitutes
- Red Currant Jelly Substitutes FAQs
Top 9 Red Currant Jelly Substitutes
Let's take a look at our top nine picks for the best red currant jelly alternative.
1. Grape Jelly
Grape jelly, a classic favorite among jelly enthusiasts, is a wonderful substitute for red currant jelly and the best jelly for peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Its natural sweetness and subtle tartness closely resemble the flavors of red currants, making it an excellent choice for various recipes.
At GOOD GOOD, our sugar free grape jelly made with Concord grapes is the best grape jelly you'll find. Additionally, it's a top-notch alternative to red currant jelly that offers a delightful blend of sweet and tangy notes.
After putting it to the test, we found that it's made with natural ingredients. Additionally, it contains just 2 grams of sugar derived from the grapes and our natural sweeteners like stevia flavor and erythritol, making it a healthier option that doesn't compromise on taste.
2. Apple Jelly
Apple jelly provides a mellow and slightly sweet flavor profile that pairs well with various dishes. Its subtle fruitiness makes it the perfect substitute for red currant jelly when you want a less assertive fruity flavor.
And if you're missing some apple jelly from your pantry, you can always try our forest fruits' 99% sugar free jelly. It contains more than 50% fruit content (raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries) to give you a nutritious red currant jelly alternative.
3. Blackcurrant Jam
Blackcurrant jelly or jam is a natural choice for those seeking a close alternative to red currant jelly. The rich and bold flavor of blackcurrants complements both sweet and savory recipes.
At GOOD GOOD, we take pride in our sweet blackcurrant jam, which offers a robust fruity taste with just 1 gram of sugar naturally derived from the berries and our healthier sugar substitutes.
4. Strawberry Jam
Strawberry jam can be a delightful stand-in for red currant jelly with its sweet and slightly tart notes. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of culinary applications such as toppings for pancakes and waffles and a filling for pastries and cakes.
Our strawberry 99% sugar free jelly with no added sugars is a perfect choice when you're looking for a healthier alternative with the same delicious taste.
5. Raspberry Jam
Raspberry jam offers a vibrant and tangy flavor that can brighten up your dishes just like red currant jelly.
Our GOOD GOOD raspberry 99% sugar free jelly is a delectable alternative with no added sugars and 88% fewer calories than other similar jams on the market. Our research indicates that its intense raspberry flavor is suitable for desserts and marinades.
6. Blackberry Jam
For a unique twist, consider blackberry jam as a red currant jelly alternative. Its deep, sweet, and slightly tart taste can add complexity to your recipes.
GOOD GOOD's blackberry 99% sugar free jelly is a delightful choice for those seeking a healthier option without compromising on flavor.
Through our trial and error, we discovered that it contains 33% more fruit than jams made by our competitors and only 5 calories, which is a healthy option for your diet.
7. Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce, a Thanksgiving favorite, can be a suitable substitute for red currant jelly in certain recipes. Its tartness and vibrant color can elevate poultry dishes and desserts alike.
While cranberry sauce typically contains added sugar, you can opt for homemade or low-sugar versions to control your sugar intake.
And if you don't have cranberry sauce in your pantry, you can easily swap it out with our GOOD GOOD blueberry 99% sugar free jelly. We have found from using this product that it has a similar flavor profile to cranberries and pairs well with both savory and sweet dishes.
8. Dried Fruit
Dried fruits like currants, raisins, or apricots can be an unconventional but creative replacement for red currant jelly.
You can rehydrate these fruits and blend them to create a flavorful fruit paste. This option allows you to customize the sweetness and tartness to match your preferences and dietary restrictions.
And when you don't have apricots in the house, you can opt for our apricot 99% sugar free jelly instead which gives you the rich blend of apricots in every spoonful.
9. Honey
Honey, a natural sweetener with a distinct flavor, can serve as a unique alternative to red currant jelly. Its rich and floral notes can add depth to both sweet and savory dishes.
When choosing honey as a substitute, be mindful of its sweetness level and adjust the quantity accordingly to achieve the desired taste.
To play it safe, try our Sweet Like Sugar range of alternate sugars to sweeten your meals and snacks while carefully monitoring your sugar intake.
At GOOD GOOD, we understand the importance of having options that align with your dietary preferences, and our 99% sugar free jelly range ensures that you can enjoy delicious flavors while making healthier choices.
Red Currant Jelly Substitutes FAQs
Let's delve deeper into this unique spread and why you might need to occasionally find an alternative to red currant jelly.
What Is Currant Jelly?
Currant jelly, whether red or black, is a type of fruit preserve made from currants, which are small, tart berries.
The jelly is created by cooking currants with sugar until they release their natural pectin and form a gel-like consistency.
Are Red Currants Good For You?
Yes, red currants are a nutritious fruit.
Our investigation demonstrated that they're packed with:
- antioxidants
- vitamins
- minerals (vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium)
These nutrients offer various health benefits, such as:
- boosting the immune system
- supporting bone health
- aiding in blood clotting
Additionally, red currants are relatively low in calories and high in dietary fiber, making them a healthy addition to your diet.
Similarly, our fig 99% sugar free jelly does wonders for boosting your immune system, managing your blood fat and blood sugar levels as well as helping your body create melatonin to help you sleep better at night.
What Are Some Uses Of Currant Jelly In Recipes?
Red currant jelly is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Some common uses include:
- Glazes: Like our sugar free grape jelly, it can also be brushed on meats like poultry, lamb, or ham to create a glossy, flavorful glaze.
- Sauces: Red currant jelly can be mixed with other ingredients to make delicious sauces for dishes like beef bourguignon or pork chops.
- Desserts: It's a popular choice for making fruit tarts, pastries, and thumbprint cookies, much like our GOOD GOOD keto friendly cherry jam.
- Condiments: Use it as a condiment for scones, toast, or sandwiches, just like with our 99% sugar free orange marmalade.
- co*cktails: Red currant jelly can be used to sweeten and flavor co*cktails or mocktails.
Why Is Red Currant Jelly Hard To Find?
Red currant jelly can be challenging to find in some areas due to several reasons:
- Seasonality: Red currants aren't as widely grown as other fruits, and their availability is seasonal. Based on our first-hand experience, they're typically harvested in the summer, so fresh red currants and their products may be scarce during other times of the year.
- Limited Demand: Red currant jelly is less commonly used in modern culinary practices, which has reduced its demand and production.
- Specialty Item: It's considered a specialty item, and not all grocery stores carry it, leading to limited accessibility.
- Regional Availability: The availability of red currant jelly may also vary by region, with some areas having more access to this product than others.
Why Should Red Currant Jelly Be Substituted?
While red currant jelly has a unique flavor profile and is a cherished ingredient in many recipes, there are several reasons why you might want to consider substitutes:
- Sugar Content: Traditional red currant jelly can be high in sugar, which may not align with dietary restrictions or preferences for reduced sugar intake.
- Availability: As mentioned earlier, red currant jelly can be challenging to find, especially outside of its peak season.
- Flavor Preferences: Some individuals may prefer alternative fruit flavors or find the tartness of red currant jelly too intense for their taste. For the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, you can opt for our GOOD GOOD blackberry 99% sugar free jelly instead.
- Recipe Adaptation: In some recipes, it's necessary to find a suitable alternative when red currant jelly isn't readily available or when you want to experiment with different flavors.
What Is The Difference Between Red Currant Jelly And Black Currant Jelly?
The primary difference between red currant jelly and black currant jelly lies in the type of currants used. Red currant jelly is made from red currants, which have a sweeter and milder flavor compared to black currants.
Through our practical knowledge of making blackcurrant jam, black currants are known for their more intense and tart taste.
As a result, our black currant jelly has a bolder and deeper fruit flavor, while red currant jelly offers decent sweetness and tartness.
Conclusion
In this article, we've taken you on a journey through the world of the best red currant jelly alternative, offering a variety of options from GOOD GOOD's collection of delicious and healthy jams, jellies, and spreads.
Whether it's for dietary reasons, flavor preferences, or simply trying something new like peanut butter jelly alternatives, GOOD GOOD offers a selection of red currant substitutes that can meet your needs while delivering exceptional taste.
Now, it's your turn to embark on a culinary adventure with GOOD GOOD. Elevate your dishes and savor the goodness of our 99% sugar free jelly options today. Happy cooking!
If you want to learn more, why not check out these articles below:
- Is Jelly Gluten Free?
- Is Jam Gluten Free?
- Is Orange Marmalade Gluten Free?
- Is Strawberry Jam Gluten Free?
- Best Raspberry Jam
- Best Fig Jam
- Best Blueberry Jam
- Best Apricot Jam
- Best Cherry Jam
- Fig Jam Alternative
- Is Jelly Vegan?
- Is Grape Jelly Vegan?
- Is Jam Vegan?
- Is Peanut Butter and Jelly Vegan?
- Best Orange Marmalade
