The 7 Best Substitutes for Pomegranate Molasses

Pomegranate molasses is the new star ingredient of the year, despite not being so new to the market. This ingredient has gained popularity around the world in recent years, recently reaching an all-time high.

Pomegranate molasses this and pomegranate molasses that! It seems we can’t escape her! Unfortunately, the supply is in short supply and it is very difficult to find.

Even if you do eventually get some, being such a luxury product, it comes at a very luxurious price point too!

Is there a substitute for pomegranate molasses?

The best possible substitute is pomegranate or cranberry juice. Both are very easy to find and taste the closest to real pomegranate molasses. Alternatively, you can use grenadine, raspberry jam, balsamic vinegar, or lemon juice.

Today is an article packed with information. We will be looking at literally every aspect of pomegranate molasses.

We’ll also take an in-depth look at all the possible substitutes you can use, the many different ways to substitute them, and lastly, all their pros and cons.

What is pomegranate molasses?

Most people are very familiar with grenades, especially since their popularity has increased dramatically in recent years. Pomegranates are well known for their deliciously sweet flavor and juicy texture.

They are very versatile fruits and also add a touch of exotic sophistication to any dish. They can be used in cocktails or other drinks, as a garnish for many savory and sweet dishes, or as part of dishes such as salads, sauces or stews.

Not many people know about a delicious product made from this juicy fruit. It’s called pomegranate molasses, and yes, it’s basically molasses made from pomegranates.

It only consists of pomegranate juice and sugar. The ingredients are reduced creating a very thick, deep red colored syrup.

Pomegranate molasses, despite not being as well known in Western countries, is a very popular ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine and has been used for decades.

You may also find it labeled as pomegranate syrup or pomegranate concentrate.

It is gaining popularity around the world for its unique taste and the complex sweet flavors it adds to food. Unfortunately though, it’s still a bit hard to find.

How is pomegranate molasses used in food?

Pomegranate molasses has a lot of different functions and different ways to use it in dishes and drinks. The way you use it in a recipe will give you an indication of which substitute will work best.

This molasses can be used as a syrup and garnish a dish, add moisture to things like a cake, or simply used as a dressing on salads.

It is also used as a flavoring ingredient and can be incorporated into stews, desserts, custards, cakes, marinades, and a thousand other dishes. The possibilities are endless.

You can think of it like chocolate sauce or honey: it is used in the same way and for the same reasons.

How to Substitute Pomegranate Molasses

Sometimes it can be difficult to choose a substitute, especially if it is something like a syrup made from a fruit.

Naturally, the first substitute you think of is pomegranate seeds, but they are so different in texture that it doesn’t always work.

What makes pomegranate molasses so fantastic and unique is that it tastes intensely sweet and slightly sour, not to mention the highly concentrated notes of pomegranate.

Regular pomegranate beans are not as sweet, do not have the same texture as syrup, and do not have a concentrated pomegranate flavor.

So if pomegranate seeds aren’t a perfect substitute, what is? Well, first you have to see why you are adding the pomegranate syrup.

If you add it for color, you can easily substitute syrup or honey and food coloring. It’s simple, right?

If you add it to help thicken a batter, sauce, or liquid, you can also simply add another type of syrup such as honey, glucose, or any other flavored syrup.

Most of the time pomegranate syrup is used to add pomegranate flavors, in which case you will have to look where it is used.

For example, let’s say you use pomegranate molasses as part of a dressing or sauce, then it’s very easy to substitute the seeds.

However, if you are using it to add pomegranate flavor in a recipe like a cake, marinade, stew, or roast, you will need to get more creative with your substitutes.

Luckily, we’re here to give you the ultimate guide on how to substitute pomegranate molasses, as well as when to use it and why.

The 7 Best Substitutes for Pomegranate Molasses

Here are our top recommendations for pomegranate substitutes. They each have their own pros and cons, but in general they will work great in any situation.

1. Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice is a very easy to find, affordable and easy to use substitute.  Where it differs from pomegranate molasses is mostly in consistency and sometimes sweetness.

Pomegranate juice can usually be found in two forms: sweetened or unsweetened. Unsweetened pomegranate juice does not contain any sweeteners or sugar, but it does not necessarily mean that it has not been processed.

Raw pomegranate juice is also called “fresh” or labeled “freshly made.” The organic pomegranate juice is not processed either.

Contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. It’s just pomegranate juice.

Then you have the sweetened pomegranate juice. This shape is usually easier to find as it has a much longer shelf life.

This is mainly because it has added sweeteners and very often artificial colors or flavors, and definitely some form of preservative.

While raw pomegranate juice will give you a more authentic flavor, it’s often just as hard to find as pomegranate molasses.

That’s why we recommend that you use literally any type you can find, which will usually be the sweetened and processed type.

You can experiment with different types of pomegranate juice to see what effect it has on the flavor of the dish you are preparing.

Pomegranate juice has a very runny consistency compared to pomegranate molasses. Depending on what you’re doing, you may want to adjust the consistency.

flavor substitution

If you just need the flavor of pomegranate molasses, you can easily get it with sweetened pomegranate juice. If the mixture is still not sweet enough, add something like honey, glucose, a simple syrup, or granulated sugar.

replace thickness

If you need the thickness of pomegranate molasses, you have a few options using pomegranate juice.

The first, and in our opinion the best option, is to reduce the juice until it has a much thicker consistency. This will also help to concentrate the flavor.

The problem with this method is that your liquid will not have a thick syrupy consistency (like molasses) and it takes a long time to reduce.

So, you can also make pomegranate molasses! (Of course, we will talk about this option).

However, it is still the best method and the one that requires the fewest adjustments (compared to the other methods).

The second, more realistic option is to use the juice as is, and simply reduce the amount used in the recipe.

This is the best option if you make baked goods or anything that requires a specific consistency. By adding more liquid, you make the mixture thinner.

Substitute flavor and thickness

You can combine a little pomegranate juice and a type of syrup, preferably simple or glucose syrup that has a neutral taste.

It would be even better if you use concentrated pomegranate juice. This way you will get the concentrated flavor in addition to the thickness.

This is some kind of makeshift molasses, but it’s nowhere near the real thing.

2. Cranberry juice, syrup or concentrate

If you can’t find any pomegranate flavored products, blueberry flavored products are the next option. Blueberry products are a bit easier to find than pomegranate ones.

This is great because if you want to substitute the thickness of the pomegranate molasses, you can buy just plain molasses or blueberry syrup.

The best cranberry flavored products we would choose are cranberry juice, cranberry concentrate, syrup or molasses. Any juice reduction that only has a blueberry flavor.

The only thing to keep in mind with cranberry products is that they taste slightly less sweet and more sour. However, it has similar sour flavors. If you want, you can add sugar, honey, or syrup to the mixture to make it sweeter.

Cranberry juice can also be a substitute for pomegranate juice and can be used in exactly the same way.

It also comes sweetened or unsweetened, so you can slightly adjust the flavor. But remember, always taste first before adjusting the flavor! You do not want a product that is too sweet.

When substituting the pomegranate molasses for the cranberry juice, you can also use the same methods as above for the pomegranate juice. You can also buy a similar product.

To substitute the thickness of the molasses, simply buy molasses or blueberry syrup. If you simply want similar flavors and the texture doesn’t matter, cranberry juice or jelly will work well.

You can even use fresh or dried cranberries on a salad instead of adding them to a dressing. It is a very versatile substitute, so the possibilities are endless.

3. Grenadine

Stick with us, because this confused us a lot at first. Grenadine, pomegranate syrup, and pomegranate molasses are almost the same, but there are slight differences.

We think it is necessary to simplify this because it was the only way to understand the differences.

All three products are made with pomegranate juice and sugar. The biggest difference is the sugar concentration.

Pomegranate molasses has the least amount of sweetness (and therefore sugar) among these three products. This creates a very deep and complex flavor, intensely pomegranate.

Pomegranate syrup can be considered the middle ground between the two. It is sweeter than molasses, but less sweet than grenadine.

Grenadine is the sweetest of the three. Pomegranate syrup and grenadine are often used and marketed in the same way, as well as used interchangeably.

Grenadine is a very easy product to find and is even a staple in many homes. It became popular as a syrup for cocktails and has since expanded its uses in the food arena.

Do not add more sugar to a recipe when using grenadine. In fact, you can reduce the amount required!

4. Raspberry jam

Raspberry jam or any type of raspberry reduction will make a fantastic substitution. Raspberry is a naturally sweet fruit and once reduced, the flavor intensifies as well as the sweetness.

Many raspberry products have additional sweeteners added, but some are marketed as “less sugar” or “reduced sugar.” Use them instead to even out the less sweet taste of the pomegranate molasses.

The raspberry jam will add a nice tart-sweet flavor that closely resembles that of pomegranate molasses.

Raspberry jam is often very thick and chunky, and may require some adjustment depending on how you use it. If, for example, you need to add it to a drink, you may want to “melt” it and strain it first to get a very smooth liquid.

However, if you’re making salad dressings, smoothies, or marinades, the chunky character won’t matter at all and can be used without any hassle.

You can use alternative raspberry flavored products, such as raspberry syrup, concentrate, or even juice. They will work just as well and may even be easier to use.

5. Balsamic vinegar and sugar

Than? Balsamic vinegar? How could that replace pomegranate molasses?

By mixing balsamic vinegar and sugar you can achieve a beautiful balance of sweet and spicy flavors, slightly acidic, remarkably similar to that of pomegranate molasses.

Of course, it won’t have much of a fruity flavor; however, in a pinch, it will make a great substitute.

To create this beautiful mixture, simply combine the balsamic vinegar and granulated sugar in a saucepan, and slowly bring it to a simmer while stirring. Start by using just a little bit of sugar and slowly increase the amount to adjust the flavor.

Once the sugar has melted and you are satisfied with the taste, you can use the mixture as is or reduce it to thicken the consistency.

We will only recommend this substitution for savory dishes, especially salad dressings and sauces. It probably works for some desserts, but we don’t recommend it. And don’t use it for drinks!

This mix also obviously has a very dark brown or black color to it, so it will completely change the look of the item you’re making.

6. Lemon juice and honey

This substitution is very similar to the one for balsamic vinegar and sugar mentioned above. However, you are more likely to have these ingredients in your pantry compared to balsamic vinegar.

Lemon juice has an acidity very similar to that of pomegranates. The sweetness of honey counteracts that acidity and balances it. In the end, you only have a well-balanced syrup left.

As an alternative to lemon juice, you can also use lime juice. It has similar characteristics and flavors.

A last resort alternative may be grapefruit or kumquats. These will add a different flavor profile, although again, the sweet and sour balance will be present.

As an alternative to honey, you can easily use granulated sugar instead. It would be best to melt the sugar separately before adding it to the lemon or lime juice. You can also make a thick simple syrup using two parts sugar and one part water.

This is a fantastic method as you can very easily adjust the flavor and sweetness level. However, it is colorless, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

You can add food coloring if you really want that reddish color of pomegranate molasses.

As with the balsamic substitute, we do not recommend using it for anything other than savory dishes.

7. Homemade Pomegranate Molasses

Although homemade pomegranate molasses is probably the best substitute you can use, we didn’t put it at the top of our list because it’s labor intensive and not a quick fix.

However, we strongly recommend that you do quite a bit if you have the time.

All you have to do is squeeze the juice out of the pomegranate grains. You can use cheesecloth to help keep the seeds and juice separate, or simply blend the seeds and strain to remove the seeds.

You can also use pomegranate juice, although we don’t recommend it if you’re going to jump through hoops anyway. It will change the consistency and reduce the intense, authentic pomegranate flavor.

Add some lemon juice and sugar and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it has started to boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and allow it to reduce for about 45 minutes.

So, try the molasses and see if you want to adjust the sweetness. If so, just add more granulated sugar. If you are satisfied with the taste, lower the heat even lower and simmer for another 10-15 minutes. 

Let the molasses cool completely before storing in a mason jar for up to 3 weeks! Without any type of preservative!