Are you looking for a bright pomegranate substitute? Several other fruits can provide a comparable rich flavor and amazing health benefits.
I can’t get enough pomegranate arils! With their crunchy texture and little sweetness, they go perfectly with so many of my favorite foods.
The problem is that they are not cheap and might be difficult to find.
Now let’s talk about some fruits like pomegranate and see how they do in various dishes.
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What are pomegranates?
For hundreds of years, people have appreciated pomegranates for their vibrant hue and delicious, sour flavor. The apple-sized fruit has a leathery, deep crimson to pinkish-yellow skin.
The fruit contains hundreds of delicious, vitamin-packed arils.
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines love pomegranate salads, sauces, and drinks.
Anti-inflammatory and anticancer characteristics make them popular in traditional therapy.
Pomegranate has everything you might desire in a fruit: several uses, deliciousness, and health benefits.
9 Best pomegranate substitute ideas
There are some flavorful substitutes for pomegranate seeds you can use in savory and sweet recipes:
- Cranberries
Cranberries can replace pomegranates thanks to their sour taste. Cranberry sauce is a Christmas favorite.
These tart berries are also used in cocktails, juices, smoothies, salads, and sauces. Cranberry juice also makes a welcome counterpoint to many sweet ingredients in recipes.
Without having any pomegranate arils on hand, I had to improvise when making a salad that called for them. I used dried cranberries instead, and they provided a delicious taste.
You can also check out these cranberry substitutes for more delicious flavors!
- Cherries
Cherry, a tasty fruit like pomegranate, is both sweet and sour. This ingredient’s culinary applications go well beyond salads, pies, and garnishes.
You can get a similar effect with vibrant red cherry juice if you can’t get your hands on any pomegranate seeds.
- Blackberries
Blackberries can replace pomegranates since they also have a sweet and tart flavor. They’re good in a variety of dishes – from smoothies to desserts.
Making a cobbler is my go-to when I have the urge to bake with blackberries. Even though it may stain your teeth, I still think it’s worth trying!
- Raspberries
Raspberries provide sweetness and tanginess to pomegranate seed dishes. They’re good with salads, yogurt, jams, and oatmeal.
I ran out of pomegranate juice recently when I intended to make a smoothie. So I added frozen raspberries instead.
The outcome was a delightful smoothie with a fruity flavor. It was an excellent stand-in for the taste of pomegranate.
Do you like everything raspberry? Why not check out these substitutes for raspberry vinegar? If you’ve never used it before, it’s time to find out what it is!
- Red currants
Red currants replace pomegranate seeds well. These sour, tiny berries taste like pomegranates and are versatile—sauces, jams, and drinks often use them.
Red currants can decorate salads and sweets very well—a fruit salad I made with red currants was a hit!
Red currants are an eye-catching addition to salads and sweets. The other day, I included some in a fruit salad and got nothing but compliments.
I’ve talked about red currants in one of my earlier articles, where you can discover your perfect substitute for currant jelly!
- Blood oranges
Like pomegranates, these oranges are deep red and sweet and acidic. They can substitute for pomegranate flavors in salads, beverages, and garnishes.
- Strawberries
Sweet, luscious strawberries can also replace pomegranates. They’re very versatile fruit in smoothies, desserts, oatmeal, and yogurt toppings.
- Blueberries
Tossing in some blueberries to your meal can instantly elevate it. In baked goods, pies, and salads, sweet, little blueberries are a great substitute for pomegranate seeds. On that note, why not to check my list of best blueberry alternatives!
- Mulberries
These sweet, tiny berries are very versatile fruits similar to pomegranate in taste. They are popular in smoothies, baked foods, and preserves.
Pomegranate substitute FAQs
One cup of pomegranate arils (174g) contains around 144 calories.
You can use cranberry juice, cherry juice or grape juice as a pomegranate juice substitute. Apple cider is another option to consider.
You can use strawberry or raspberry jam instead of pomegranate jam. For an additional tang, try cranberry sauce.
One of the best substitutes for pomegranate molasses syrup is balsamic vinegar. Another option is date syrup with a sweet, earthy flavor.
No, grenadine isn’t the same thing as pomegranate syrup.
Grenadine is a sweet syrup made from pomegranate juice, sugar, and other flavorings. It’s sweeter than pomegranate syrup and doesn’t have the same intense flavor or color.
Yes, you can use frozen pomegranate seeds instead of fresh ones.
BOTTOM LINE: Cranberries, cherries, blackberries, and raspberries are all suitable substitutes for pomegranate in both sweet and savory preparations. Several dishes can benefit from their taste and nutrition. If you can’t get pomegranates, consider these tasty substitutes.
What’s your perfect pomegranate seed substitute? Share your ideas in the comment!
Are you looking for more ideas to use in your fresh fruit or baking recipes? Check out these tasty apricot substitutes, fresh fig replacements and strawberry extract substitutes!