Mint Jelly substitute

Substitutes for Mint Jelly with ratios

1. 2Apple jelly stirred with fresh mint and vinegar

   Close match

   ½ cup apple jelly plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint plus 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

   This is essentially how mint jelly is made in the first place, since apple is the pectin base underneath the mint, so the result is very close to the real thing.

   What changes

   Warm the jelly just until it loosens, stir in the mint and vinegar off the heat, then chill until set. Expect flecks of green mint suspended in clear jelly rather than a uniform pale green colour, and a fresher, less perfumed mint flavour than the bottled version, which is often flavoured with mint extract.

   Best for

   roast lamb, lamb burgers, a glaze for a rack of lamb, cheese boards

   Do not boil the mint in the jelly; the aroma cooks off and the leaves go khaki.

2. 3Red currant jelly, plain or with mint

   Different taste

   Use the same amount plus 1 tablespoon chopped mint per ½ cup if you want it minted

   The classic European partner for lamb and a straight textural match: same firm set, same glossy spoonful, same sweet-tart balance.

   What changes

   Plain red currant jelly tastes brighter and fruitier and gives you the acidity and sweetness without any mint, which many cooks genuinely prefer with lamb; stir chopped mint in and it does the full job. The obvious change is colour, deep ruby instead of green, which looks better on the plate than it sounds.

   Best for

   roast lamb and lamb chops, venison and game, glazing a rack of lamb, pan sauces

   A tablespoon melted into the roasting juices makes an excellent quick lamb gravy.

3. 4Minted yogurt or mint raita

   Taste and texture differ

   ½ cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons chopped mint, squeeze of lemon, pinch of salt

   A completely different condiment that solves the same problem in a different way: the acidity comes from yogurt and lemon rather than vinegar, and the dairy coolness plays the role the sweetness was playing.

   What changes

   It is creamy rather than jellied and not sweet at all, so a plate of lamb served with it tastes savoury and Mediterranean rather than sweet-and-sharp. Excellent with grilled and spiced lamb, less convincing with a traditional Sunday roast.

   Best for

   grilled lamb and kebabs, lamb meatballs, spiced or Middle Eastern lamb, lamb wraps

   Greek yogurt makes it thick enough to hold on the plate; thin it with a spoonful of water if you want it saucy.

4. 5Dried mint with vinegar and sugar

   Taste and texture differ

   2 teaspoons dried mint, 3 tablespoons vinegar, 1 tablespoon boiling water, 1 teaspoon sugar

   Better than its reputation, because vinegar rehydrates dried mint well and pulls the flavour out.

   What changes

   Steep it a full thirty minutes rather than fifteen. The result is darker and more medicinal than fresh mint, with none of that green top note, but the essential job of sharp acid plus mint aroma is done. It is thin and slightly gritty rather than jellied, so spoon it over the meat rather than serving it as a neat dollop.

   Best for

   roast lamb when no fresh mint is available, lamb chops, dressing for lamb salad

   Mint tea bags work in a pinch: steep one in the hot water first, then add vinegar and sugar.

5. 6Apple sauce or apple jelly on its own (honest last resort)

   Different taste

   Use the same amount

   Worth saying plainly: without mint in some form, nothing tastes like mint jelly, and no amount of adjustment gets you there.

   What changes

   What plain apple jelly or unsweetened apple sauce does deliver is the sweet-tart apple background and a bit of moisture, which still cuts through fatty lamb better than serving it dry. Add a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice per half cup to sharpen it. The dish will taste pleasant and slightly Scandinavian rather than like lamb with mint jelly.

   Best for

   roast lamb with nothing else in the house, pork, where apple is the natural partner anyway

   A pinch of dried rosemary or thyme gives it a herbal lift if you have no mint of any kind.