Pomegranate molasses is a thick, sweet, and tart syrup that’s made from reduced pomegranate juice. It has a deep red color and is used in cooking as well as baking. You can use it to make salad dressings or marinades, or even add it to cocktails!
But when you can’t find it, what do you use in its place? If you’re looking for a pomegranate molasses substitute that’s easy to find and tastes great, then you’ve come to the right place.
I have created this list of the 9 best pomegranate molasses substitutes for you.
Table of Contents
What is Pomegranate Molasses?
Pomegranate molasses is a tangy syrup that adds depth and complexity of flavor to any dish. It’s made by boiling down pomegranate juice until it’s thick, syrupy, and sweet.
It’s often used in Middle Eastern cooking, and can also be integrated into salad dressings or marinades, or added to cocktails, or even as a topping on ice cream!
Now that you know what pomegranate molasses is, let’s talk about some of the most popular substitutes for this ingredient.
9 Best Pomegranate Molasses Substitutes
1. Pomegranate Juice
When you can’t find pomegranate molasses, a simple substitute is to substitute pomegranate juice for it.
Pomegranate juice is a great substitute because it has a similar flavor profile and texture. It’s made from the seeds of the pomegranate fruit, which have a deep red color that adds richness to any dish.
You can also add in some lemon or lime juice with honey for an added kick! This just helps to brighten up the flavors a bit more.
2. Cranberry Juice Concentrate
Cranberry juice concentrate is a great pomegranate molasses substitute for those of you looking for something that’s readily available in most supermarkets!
It’s made from 100% cranberries and has a very similar tartness to pomegranate molasses. It also has a deep red color that adds richness to any dish you add it in.
Cranberry juice is actually made from cranberries, which have been boiled down until the fruit becomes soft and crushed. This produces a tart liquid that’s then concentrated into a syrup-like mixture that’s sweet and tangy!
You can add it to salad dressings, marinades, cocktails, or even use it as a topping for ice cream!
3. Grenadine
Grenadine is another simple pomegranate molasses substitute that you can add to any dish when you’re in a pinch!
It’s made from sugar and fruit juice, so it has a similar sweetness and tartness to pomegranate molasses. It also has a deep red color that adds richness to any dish you add it to.
Grenadine is actually made from pomegranates, but only the juice of the fruit, which is then sweetened with sugar syrup! This produces an intensely red syrup that’s a little bit thicker than regular fruit juice.
You can use it to make delicious pomegranate cocktails, or even as a topping for ice cream!
4. Lemon or Lime Juice with Honey
When you don’t have pomegranate molasses, why not try adding lemon or lime juice with some honey instead?
This is a really popular substitute for pomegranate molasses, and it’s simple to make. Just mix equal parts of lemon or lime juice with some honey, then use this as a substitute in any recipe that calls for pomegranate molasses!
The flavor is great – you still get the tangy sweetness, but with a delicious honey twist!
5. Raspberry Jam
Raspberry jam is another good substitute for pomegranate molasses that you can use in all sorts of dishes!
This sweet spread tastes just like fruit and has the same deep red color as pomegranate molasses. It also has a syrupy texture that works well in a lot of recipes!
Raspberry jam is made from crushed raspberries, sugar, and pectin. It’s generally really thick and can have a jelly-like consistency when it has been refrigerated for a few hours.
You can add it to salad dressings or marinades, or even use it as a topping for ice cream or yogurt!
6. Balsamic Vinegar and Sugar
Balsamic vinegar is another good substitute for pomegranate molasses that you can add to salad dressings, marinades, cocktails, or even desserts!
It has a tangy sweetness that’s similar to pomegranate molasses, and has a syrupy texture that works well in a lot of recipes!
Balsamic vinegar is made from grapes which have been crushed into a pulp. This grape juice then undergoes fermentation and acidification to produce a tart liquid with a deep red color.
This produces an intensely flavored vinegar that has a delicious tartness.
7. Pomegranate Seeds
If you’re eating a salad or another dish where the inclusion of pomegranate molasses isn’t crucial, why not use some actual pomegranate seeds?
This is a really simple substitute and works well if you want to make sure that your dish has a deep red color. You can even add some fresh mint leaves to add a fresh, fragrant twist to your dish!
Pomegranate seeds are actually the edible part of the fruit. They have a tart or sour flavor and add a juicy crunch to any dish.
You can eat them raw as they are, or simply sprinkle some over your salad before serving!
8. Plum Sauce
Plum sauce is another simple pomegranate molasses substitute that you can use in any dish when you’re in a pinch!
It’s made from plums, vinegar, sugar, and spices. The resulting sweet-and-sour flavor makes it the perfect fruit sauce to add to your stir-fry or noodle dishes.
It’s thick and syrupy just like pomegranate molasses, so it has a very similar texture when used in recipes. It also has the same deep red color that adds richness to any dish you add it to!
9. Homemade Pomegranate Molasses
The best pomegranate molasses substitute is to make your own!
It’s really easy, and once you’ve done it a couple of times, you’ll never have to buy a bottle from the store again. This way, you also know exactly what goes into your homemade pomegranate molasses, so you can be certain that it’s healthy and good for you.
This is the only ingredient that you’ll need: pomegranate juice or seeds! You can use whole seeds, or just juice them to obtain the required amount of liquid.
Place your pomegranate juice in a saucepan over low heat. Add some sugar, spices, and a splash of lemon juice. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for a few hours to thicken.
When it’s done, you’ll have a rich syrup that is just a little sour and tart from the pomegranate. It has a deep red color and makes any dish taste amazing!
What Does Pomegranate Molasses Taste Like?
Pomegranate molasses tastes just like a rich, tangy, and slightly tart syrup. It has a deep red color that adds a sweet-and-sour flavor to a variety of dishes.
As you can see from the list above of substitutes for pomegranate molasses, these ingredients have very similar flavors and textures that are just as delicious.
Is Pomegranate Molasses the Same as Syrup?
Pomegranate molasses is similar to syrup, but it’s not the same thing!
Pomegranate molasses is a type of syrup that has an intensely sweet-and-sour taste and a syrupy consistency. It usually has a deep red color that adds richness to any dish you add it to.
Syrups tend to have a more subtle flavor, and can also be used as a substitute for pomegranate molasses in most recipes.
How Is Pomegranate Molasses Used In Food?
Pomegranate molasses is a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking. It’s used as a condiment on its own, but it can also be mixed with other ingredients to make dressings, marinades, and dipping sauces.
It’s often drizzled over salads or rice dishes to add sweetness, tartness, and richness. These dishes tend to be more savory than sweet, so pomegranate molasses works best in more savory recipes.
Pomegranate molasses is also added to some desserts and drinks. For example, some people add it to their tea while others mix it with hot water and use it as a substitute for lemonade.
Final Words
You can use these ingredients in any recipe that calls for pomegranate molasses! If you have a chance, try making your own pomegranate molasses too to see what all the fuss is about. It’s really easy and actually quite fun if you have the time.
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Happy cooking!
