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When making a recipe that calls for orange marmalade, there are several fantastic alternatives that you can use should you run out of stock or can’t find orange marmalade in your local grocery store.
There are many good substitutes for orange marmalade that complement your recipe and add that delicious orange flavor; this includes orange juice, orange zest, orange jelly, or orange preserves.
Whichever replacement you choose to use will depend on the dish you are making and what is easily accessible for you.
Substitutes For Orange Marmalade
1. Orange Jam/ Juice/ Zest
An easy-to-find and closest substitute for orange marmalade is orange zest, juice, or jam. You can simply juice fresh oranges or zest the peels and add them to your dish. You can also use stored bought orange jam as well.
All orange-based product makes the best substitutes for orange marmalade as they already have the fruit’s signature taste.
However, you will need to note that orange jam and juice are slightly sweeter than marmalade because they do not include the peels, so when using them, you will need to adjust the amount of sugar the recipe calls for.
Orange zest, on the other hand, has a more bitter flavor, which means you may need extra sugar when making a sweet dish.
Orange jam is excellent on toast and is the perfect healthy breakfast; jam can also be added to desserts for extra sweetness and a touch of sourness.
The tangy flavor of orange zest means it can be used as a “seasoning” for sweet dishes, and it leaves a slightly bitter and fresh aftertaste.
Orange juice is a more flexible substitute option and can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. Dishes like orange chicken benefit significantly from the combination of sweet, savory, and sour flavors and create a mouthwatering result.
It can also be used to make a relishable topping sauce for salads. Orange-based products contain a high amount of vitamin c and pectin, which helps to build the immune system and slow down the aging process.
2. Lemon Marmalade
Lemon is also a citrus fruit but has a sourer taste than orange. When using lemon marmalade as an alternative to orange marmalade, you may need to add more sugar than the recipe calls for. Still, it makes an overall excellent orange marmalade substitute.
Lemon marmalade has a combo of sweet and bitter taste, with an extra tangy flavor. Lemon is a cheaper alternative to orange and is somewhat more fragrant due to its peel.
It can be used in different recipes, both sweet and savory dishes. Lemon marmalade can be drizzled over pancakes, tarts, or puddings and makes the perfect layer as it neutralizes the sweetness with acidity.
If you like to have a little fun, you can make a gin lemon marmalade cocktail, which is a mixture of alcohol, acidity, sweetness, and fresh mint, the perfect summertime drink. You can also use lemon marmalade as a dressing for salads for extra flavor.
Lemon contains citric acid, which helps to break up small stones and prevent kidney stones. It also contains vitamin C and pectin, just like orange, which lowers the risk of stroke and blood pressure.
3. Grapefruit Marmalade
Grapefruit is another type of citrus fruit that makes an excellent replacement for orange marmalade. It has a slightly bitter taste and is less sour than orange.
Grapefruit may not add an orange-like flavor to your dish, but it gives a sweet and acidic taste making it a suitable substitute for orange marmalade in some recipes.
Grapefruit marmalade can be paired with different kinds of dessert and salad; it can be drizzled as a topping over a plate of toasted bread or pancakes for a quick yet full breakfast.
Grapefruit contains few calories with a high fiber and pectin content, which is super beneficial for weight loss. High-fiber fruits keep you feeling full and reduce cravings.
It is also a great source of vitamin C and A, which is helpful to your immune system and protects cells from harmful bacteria.
4. Fig Jam
Fig and orange may seem to have nothing in common, but their sticky and slightly coarse texture is quite similar to the rind and pith of an orange.
It lacks a sour and bitter taste like an orange, but when fully ripe, fig has a unique honey-like sweetness that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Figs pair really well with cheeses, and there’s no better combo than blue or goat cheese, paired with crackers and figs on a charcuterie board. You can also spread fig jam on sweet pizzas or tarts.
Fig is rich in vitamin B6, which helps your body to break down and produce new proteins. It also contains vitamin A, which supports the immune system and vision.
5. Apricot Jam
Apricot jam also makes an excellent replacement for orange marmalade. Although it is not a citrus fruit, it has a color and texture that is quite similar to orange marmalade.
Apricot jam isn’t necessarily bitter, but it does have a sour taste, just like an orange. It can be used in different dishes and delivers a similar flavor.
Apricot contains a handful of antioxidants such as beta carotene and lutein that helps to prevent certain health conditions like diabetes. It also contains a high amount of vitamin A which reduces the risk of vision loss.
6. Peach Jam
A peach is slightly bigger than an apricot but also less sour and can be used in place of orange marmalade. It has a bright orange color, just like orange marmalade but lacks any bitter taste.
Like apricot, peach jam is a delicious addition to many types of desserts. It can be used as a juicy top layer of a tart or added to a pie filling. You can also add peach jam to muffins alongside almonds which deliver a mixture of sticky, soft, and crunchy taste.
Peach jam can be used to enhance the flavor of a braised brisket and maintain the original taste of meat when it combines with some red wine.
7. Raspberry Jam
Raspberry jam has a coarse texture similar to the grind and pith of orange marmalade; this is due to the fruit’s hundreds of tiny seeds.
Although raspberry jam has a different color, it delivers almost the same levels of acidity and sweetness as orange marmalade. This makes it a suitable replacement in any recipe.
It can be used in both sweet and savory recipes, as well as for making ketchup for sautéed pork chops and a great glaze for grilled meat, which gives it a glossy and juicy look.
Raspberry jam pairs really well with almost all kinds of dessert, and you can easily make raspberry jam bars or tarts at home.
Raspberry jam contains a high amount of fiber and vitamin C; fiber helps to boost your digestive system and promote weight loss, while vitamin c improves your immune system and maintains your skin.
Raspberry contains a special antioxidant known as ellagic acid that not only reduces oxidative damage but helps with the repair of damaged DNA.
8. Pineapple Jam
Pineapple jam also makes a great substitute for orange marmalade, and this may be surprising since orange and pineapple do not have a similar taste.
However, pineapple has a similar sweet and sour flavor, just like an orange. To make pineapple jam even more similar to orange marmalade, you can add some in orange or lemon juice.
A famous recipe that uses pineapple is the pineapple cookie; it is packed with a satisfyingly sweet and sour taste. You can add pineapple jam to other types of cake like tarts, donuts, etc.
Pineapple is a good source of vitamin C and K. Both vitamins are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing excessive bleeding.
This tropical fruit also contains an enzyme called bromelain that supports digestion and breaks down proteins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between Orange Jam And Marmalade?
The difference between orange jam and marmalade actually depends on the amount of fruit left in the final product. Jam is made from whole cut pieces of fruit, while marmalade uses the whole fruit alongside the rind.
What Does Orange Marmalade Taste Like?
Orange marmalade has a sweet taste that is very similar to orange juice. The orange zest also adds a slight tanginess as well, unlike most fruity marmalades.
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