Currants are white, red, or blackberries with a mildly sweet and sour flavor. Additionally, they have a slightly acidic taste that balances out their sweetness.
Dried and fresh currants are added to several recipes. You can eat them raw or add them to dishes that require cooking. Currants improve the flavor of dishes.
Since currants are a good addition to dishes, the chances are you will run out of them quickly. So what do you do when you notice you have no currants and your recipe calls for them?
There is no need for a last-minute rush to the grocery store because there are several alternatives you can use in its place.
The substitutes for currant are; dried dates, raisins, dried prunes, dried apricots, jujube, dried cherries, cranberries, blueberries, gooseberries, and kumquat.
This article discusses the currant substitutes in detail. Additionally, we will discuss the things you need to consider when selecting an alternative for your recipe.
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Currant Substitutes
If you need a substitute for currants, choose one from the alternatives discussed below. They make for great replacements.
Dried dates
Most people use dried dates to sweeten dishes because they have an intense sweet flavor. Their flavor is caramel-like with toffee undertones.
You can substitute dried currants with dried dates in desserts. Their velvety flavor complements vanilla and cinnamon. This substitute in syrups, sweet sauces, and jams.
Since dates are naturally sweet, you eat them independently or serve them with cheese, cured meat, or other fruits. They make for a tasty snack.
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Raisins
You can substitute currants with raisins. Although raisins are made from grapes, they don’t taste like grapes. They provide a distinctly sweet flavor due to the drying process they undergo.
You can choose from two types of raisins: black raisins and golden raisins. Black raisins have a tart flavor. Therefore, you can use them in most savory and sweet dishes. Use them in chicken dishes, lamb dishes, and sweet desserts.
On the other hand, golden raisins are sweet, so they are good for sweet dishes. You can use them to substitute currant in croissants, pudding, and bread.
Alternatively, eat the raisins raw. Mix the raisins with Greek yogurt or add them to your cereals.
Dried Prunes
Dried prunes are a suitable replacement for currants in several dishes. Combine the prunes with allspice, cinnamon, or cloves for the best results.
Producers make dried prunes from plums. Naturally, they have a robust and sweet caramel flavor. You can serve dried prunes with cheese and cured meats. Additionally, you can add them to stews and broths to sweeten them.
Substitute currant with dried prunes in muffins, bread pudding, and casseroles. Alternatively, eat them as they are by sprinkling on your oatmeal, pancakes, or ice cream.
This substitute is also good for making jelly and jams.
Dried apricots
Dried apricots have a slightly tangy, fruity, and sweet flavor. Therefore, they can easily replace currant in most recipes.
Due to the drying process, dried apricots have a more intense flavor than fresh apricots. Therefore, they add sweetness to the dishes you add them to. I highly recommend adding them to casseroles and muffins.
You can serve dried apricots independently. Additionally, you can mix with spices like nutmeg, allspice, or cinnamon and use the mixture in baked or roasted meats and turkey stuffing.
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Jujube
Jujube fruit also referred to as Chinese dates, is a good currant alternative. It is widely available in China but may be hard to find in the United States. You can purchase jujube from Chinese stores close to you.
You can use dried jujube as pastry toppings on bread, muffins, or cookies. They are also good for making jams.
Another way to use this substitute is to stew it to form a dessert filling or soup topping.
Dried cherries
You can substitute currant with dried cherries in both sweet and savory dishes. Dried cherries have a rich aroma and mildly sweet flavor. Therefore, they are a great addition to most recipes.
This substitute is ideal for bread, muffins, tart fillings, and pies. You can sprinkle dried cherries on homemade gran0la or yogurt to add color and flavor.
If you find the cherries too sweet, add some vinegar to mask the sweetness. You can mix them with cinnamon or cloves to improve their flavor.
Cranberries
Cranberries are a healthy currant substitute. When fresh, their appearance is very similar to currants.
I highly recommend using this substitute because cranberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.
You can use cranberries to make jelly. Currant jelly and cranberry jelly have a similar flavor, consistency, and aroma. The only notable difference is that cranberry jelly has a vibrant color; otherwise, the two are the same.
You can also use cranberries in savory sauces or fillings for pies and cakes. Not only will they taste amazing, but they also offer numerous health benefits. You can always add sugar to make the desserts sweeter.
Another way to use this substitute is to serve the cranberries with cheese, cured meat, and turkey on your charcuterie board.
Blueberries
Blueberries are another ideal substitute. Both fresh and dried blueberries make for great replacements. They have a sweet and tangy flavor that works great in sweet and savory dishes.
You can use blueberries in spreads and sauces. You can also add them to salads, sprinkle on yogurt, or serve with pancakes. Additionally, you can serve them with nuts and leafy greens.
Dried blueberries have a sweeter flavor than fresher ones, so they are ideal for cookies and tarts. You can also add them to savory dishes that require currants.
Gooseberries
These greenish, reddish, or golden fruits can substitute currants in most recipes. They are beneficial in savory dishes that don’t require sweetness.
Gooseberries give dishes a zesty flavor and mild sweetness. I highly recommend using them in savory sauces, chutneys, pies, poultry stuffing, and casseroles. You can also cook them with sugar to make puddings and jams.
When you add gooseberries to desserts, they add a lemon-like flavor. Therefore, they would only work if you want a substitute that gives your dessert a different taste.
Kumquat
You can use this citrus fruit to replace fresh currants in recipes that call for a mildly sweet and tangy flavor.
When ripe, kumquat skin is sweet, and the flesh is sour and tangy. Kumquat goes well with both sweet and savory dishes.
You can use this substitute in chicken, fish, duck, and pork dishes. You can also serve kumquat with cured meat and cheese.
If you choose to use this substitute in sweet dishes, adding sugar to the recipe would best mask the tangy and bitter flavor.
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Things to consider when choosing a currant substitute
The substitute you choose significantly depends on the nature of your recipe.
It would be best to consider whether you are substituting dried or fresh currants. Below is a summary of substitutes ideal for various applications.
Substitutes that resemble currants
If you want a substitute that has a similar appearance to currants, use blueberries or cranberries.
Blueberries resemble fresh black currants, while cranberries are similar to red currants.
Substitute that can work most recipes
The substitute that you can use in most recipes is raisins. Raisins have a similar flavor to currants. They are versatile and readily available. You can use them to replace currants in both savory and sweet dishes.
Substitutes for desserts
The substitutes that give good results in desserts are dried prunes and dried apricots. They provide a similar flavor and texture.
Substitutes for savory dishes
Gooseberries and kumquat are good alternatives to savory dishes.
They both provide a mildly sweet and tangy flavor. If you need a little sweetness in the dish, add some sugar to the recipe.
Substitutes for both savory and sweet dishes
Dried cherries are good for both sweet and savory recipes. They provide a mildly sweet flavor. Therefore, you can use them in meat dishes and baked goods. Jujube is another good alternative in both savory and sweet dishes.
Substitutes for jellies and jams
Dried dates work best in jellies and jams. Additionally, you can use them to replace currents in baked goods since they add sweetness to dishes.
Conclusion
Currants, fresh or dried, are an ideal addition to recipes.
If you don’t have them on hand or need to replace them with another ingredient for any reason, you can use one of the alternatives mentioned above.
Remember to keep in mind the nature of your recipe when selecting a substitute.
Let me know which substitutes you prefer in the comments below.
