Native to Western Europe, red currants are small, red berries that pack both a sweet and tart punch. They make a great addition to almost anything you make in the kitchen.
While it is a very common ingredient across the Atlantic, in the United States it can be hard to find. In fact, in some states, red currants are even illegal. That is, to grow, not to eat, do not worry.
This article will highlight 10 absolutely delectable substitutes for red currants in jams, jellies, preserves, baking, and cooking. Be sure you visit the frequently asked questions about red currants at the end.
Generally speaking, you will want to use black currants, raspberries, or apples as a substitute if you are making jams, jellies, or preserves. For baking, raisins, jujubes, and strawberries are your best option. Choose cherries, cranberries, or dates for all your cooking needs.
Substitutes for Red Currant
1. Black Currants
This might seem like an obvious choice, but red and black currants are two different-tasting fruits, despite coming from the same shrub. Whereas red currants are more tart on the tongue, black currants are much sweeter.
Keep in mind that it is a much darker fruit in presentation, so do not be alarmed if your final product is not as red as you had hoped.
To substitute, you can use a 1:1 ratio to red currants.
A standard cup of black currants alone is 60 calories and 14g of carbohydrates.
2. Raspberries
As previously noted, red currants are tart with just a tiny bit of sweetness. This description can also be applied to raspberries.
Replace your red currants with raspberry when making your jam, jelly, or preserves and you will not even miss the original ingredient.
Something to note: raspberries do have tiny seeds in the fruit, you can leave those in or choose to strain them through a sieve for a smoother texture.
To substitute, you can use a 1:1 ratio to red currants.
A standard cup of raspberries alone is 65 calories and 15g of carbohydrates.
3. Apples
Apples in place of a berry might surprise you but trust me on this one. Apples makes delicious jam, jellies, and preserves and have a flavor profile that is both sweet and tart. I suggest going for more sour apples like granny smith or golden delicious.
To substitute, you can use a 1:1 ratio to red currants.
A standard cup of chopped apples alone is 61 calories and 16g of carbohydrates.
4. Raisins
Probably the most common dried fruit on this list of substitutes is the raisin. It is relatively the same size of a dried currant, which makes swapping them easy.
Another plus side is that raisins come in a variety of colors, so if you are needing something specific for an aesthetically pleasing dish, you have plenty of choices.
If the recipe calls for dried red currants, you can substitute using a 1:1 ratio to dried red currants.
However, if the recipe calls original for fresh currants you will need to use a different 5:1 ratio, meaning 5 parts fresh fruit equaling 1-part dried fruit.
An average cup of raisins is 108 calories and 29g of carbohydrates.
5. Jujubes
If you have never heard of jujube, you are in great company. They are widely used in Chinese cuisine and can be difficult to find in smaller grocery stores.
However, they are extremely flavorful, full of nutrients, and closely related to dates. They are particularly tasty when candied and used as a topping to pastry items. Other common dishes that utilize jujubes are rice pudding and oatmeal.
If the recipe calls for dried red currants, you can substitute use a 1:1 ratio to dried red currants.
However, if the recipe calls original for fresh currants you will need to use a different 5:1 ratio, meaning 5 parts fresh fruit equaling 1-part dried fruit.100g of jujubes is 79 calories and 20g of carbohydrates.
6. Prunes
Hear me out. Prunes have so much more to offer than helping your digestive tract. Not only are they rich in a myriad of vitamins, but they also are packed full of flavor. You can utilize them in both their fresh and dry states.
Throw them into bread, pastries, or any baked goods to elevate the finished product. If the recipe calls for dried red currants, you can substitute use a 1:1 ratio to dried red currants.
However, if the recipe calls original for fresh currants you will need to use a different 5:1 ratio, meaning 5 parts fresh fruit equaling 1-part dried fruit.100g of pitted prunes is 115 calories and 30g of carbohydrates.
7. Strawberries
Last but certainly not least on our list of substitutes for red currant in baking is strawberry.
While strawberries make a great alternative to red currant, keep in mind that it will be slightly sweeter and less tart than the original.
To substitute, you can use a 1:1 ratio to red currant. Again, my suggestion is to measure by weight instead of volume.
One cup of strawberries is 47 calories and 11g of carbohydrates.
8. Cherries
If your recipe calls for fresh red currants, you can substitute with fresh cherries; if it calls for dried red currants, you can substitute with dried cherries. It is a wonderful fruit to swap.
In their fresh state, cherries are bigger than red currants but still pack the same sweetness and tartness. In a dried state, the flavors are almost indistinguishable from the two.
You can substitute cherries for red currants by using a 1:1 ratio in dried and fresh states.
Be sure to substitute by measuring weight instead of volume for the fresh fruit because cherries are a bit bigger than red currants.
The fourth cup of dried cherries is 120 calories and 26g of carbohydrates. A cup of fresh cherries is 95 calories and 24g of carbohydrates.
9. Cranberries
You might not even notice if you use cranberries in a dish that originally called for red currants.
The flavors are alike just enough to make cranberry an excellent substitute. To substitute, you can use a 1:1 ratio to red currants. A cup of fresh cranberries is 46 calories and 12g of carbohydrates
10. Dates
Dates make an excellent substitute for red currants as they bring their own distinctive and sweet flavor. In many recipes, they are also used as a binding agent.
Think about homemade granola or protein bars, you need an agent to keep all the ingredients together and dates can get the job done. As a bonus, they are an excellent source of fiber.
To substitute, you can use a 1:1 ratio to red currants. I suggest measuring by weight versus volume.
Two large dates have 133 calories and 36g of carbohydrates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Fruit Is Closest To A Currant?
The closest relative to a currant is actually something called the gooseberries, a slightly larger and firmer orange berry.
Check out this article from UMass’s Extension Fruit Program that talks in depth about both currants and gooseberries if you want to get into the nitty gritty.
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Are Red Currants Good For You?
Red currants are a fruit and like other fruits, are packed with nutrients, vitamins and fiber, making it a very healthy addition to any dish, baked good or drink.
What Is The Difference Between Jams, Jellies, And Preserves?
This is an excellent question that I think most people wonder at least once in their life.
In short, jam is made primarily from mashed fruit itself whereas jellies are made from the juice of the fruit. Preserves are made with larger chunks of fruit than jams.
Can I Use Red Currant Jam And Red Currant Jelly Interchangeably?
Yes, absolutely. It all comes down to your personal preference with these two and preserves.
I always encourage people to experiment in the kitchen and see what works best for them.
Final Considerations
Red currant is delicious and nutritious, though not always readily available. Because of its both sweet and tart taste, there are many fruits that can easily take its place if necessary.
My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.