Beyond the Loaf: What Can You Put Jelly on Besides Bread?

Historically, fruit preserves were a vital method of long-term food preservation, long before they were a simple breakfast condiment. For home cooks looking to maximize their pantry staples, exploring what can you put jelly on besides bread opens up a world of sweet and savory culinary possibilities that are both delicious and inventive.

Quick Summary

Unlock dozens of new ways to use your favorite jelly, including glazes for meat, cocktail mixers, dessert fillings, and tasty additions to appetizers and breakfast dishes.

Key Points

• Savory Glazes: Use jelly as a sweet, sticky glaze for roasted chicken, pork, or meatballs by combining it with sauces like BBQ or soy sauce.

• Creative Dressings: Whisk jelly into vinaigrettes for a sweet and tangy salad dressing, such as a raspberry jelly balsamic vinaigrette.

• Dessert Fillings: Inject or spread jelly into doughnuts, cookies, and layered cakes for a fruity and moist center.

• Elevated Appetizers: Serve a block of cream cheese topped with warm pepper jelly and crackers for a simple yet elegant appetizer.

• Craft Cocktails: Shake a spoonful of fruit jelly with your favorite spirits to create unique, fruity cocktails like a jammy gin and tonic or a peach smash.

• Quick Breakfast Boosts: Stir jelly into oatmeal, yogurt, or use it as a flavorful syrup for pancakes and waffles to start your day.

Savory Applications: Unexpected Flavor Twists

While most people associate jelly with sweet breakfasts, its fruity sweetness can create a delightful contrast when paired with savory foods. This sweet-and-savory flavor profile can elevate simple dishes and impress dinner guests. The key is to balance the fruit's flavor with other components like salt, spices, and acid. Savory uses for jelly are popular in various types of cuisine, from classic American comfort food to more sophisticated charcuterie boards.

Glazes for Meat and Vegetables

Jelly's high sugar content makes it an excellent base for glazes that caramelize beautifully under heat. This adds a sweet, glossy crust to roasted or grilled foods.

To make a simple glaze:

• Combine your choice of jelly with a savory liquid (like soy sauce, vinegar, or broth).
• Whisk in spices such as garlic powder, black pepper, or red pepper flakes for heat.
• Brush the mixture onto meat or vegetables during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.

Common pairings:

• Grape Jelly: Mix with BBQ sauce and slow-cook meatballs or cocktail sausages.
• Apricot or Peach Jelly: Creates a fantastic glaze for pork tenderloin, chicken thighs, or shrimp.
• Red Pepper Jelly: Excellent for wings or paired with cream cheese on crackers.
• Plum Jelly: Combine with soy sauce and ginger for an Asian-inspired stir-fry sauce.

Marinades and Pan Sauces

Beyond glazes, jelly can contribute flavor and moisture to marinades. A spoonful of jelly can also be whisked into a pan sauce to deglaze the pan after cooking meat, adding a sweet note to the savory drippings. For a simple pan sauce, remove the cooked meat, add a splash of wine or broth to the pan, and stir in a spoonful of jelly until melted and combined.

Dressings and Dips

A fruity vinaigrette is easy to make by swapping out honey or sugar for jelly in your recipe. Simply whisk the jelly with oil and vinegar, then season to taste. For dips, melt a jar of pepper jelly and pour it over a block of cream cheese for a classic appetizer, or mix a fruit jelly with hot sauce and mayo for a spicy dip for fries or tots.

Sweet Substitutions: Desserts and Baked Goods

Jelly's role extends far beyond toppings, making it an ideal ingredient for a wide array of sweet treats. Its smooth consistency makes it easy to incorporate into batters, fillings, and finished desserts.

Fillings for Pastries and Cakes

Jelly adds a fruity center to many baked goods, preventing them from becoming dry or one-dimensional. Using it as a filling is a great way to add a layer of flavor without needing to prepare a fresh fruit compote.

Dessert ideas:

• Thumbprint Cookies: A classic use where a small indentation is filled with jelly before baking.
• Doughnuts: Use a piping bag to inject jelly into homemade doughnuts.
• Layered Cakes: Warm the jelly slightly and spread it between cake layers for a fruity addition.
• Pastries and Tarts: Fill pre-made puff pastry with jelly and cream cheese for a quick, delicious danish.

Swirls and Toppings

• Cheesecake Swirl: A decorative and flavorful addition to any cheesecake.
• Ice Cream Topping: Drizzle warmed, thinned jelly over ice cream or mix it directly into homemade ice cream while churning.
• Yogurt or Cottage Cheese: Stir a spoonful into plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for a quick and fruity snack.

Breakfast and Beyond: Getting Creative

Besides toast, there are many morning meals and snacks that can be improved with a dollop of jelly. From transforming simple oats to elevating pancakes, jelly is an underutilized breakfast star.

Breakfast Upgrades

• Oatmeal: Stir a spoonful of your favorite jelly into hot oatmeal or overnight oats for a burst of fruit flavor.
• Pancakes and Waffles: Use warmed jelly as a syrup replacement or top with jelly and whipped cream.
• Crepes and Blintzes: Roll up crepes or blintzes with a filling of jelly and cream cheese or ricotta.

Non-Traditional Sandwiches and Appetizers

• Grilled Cheese: The combination of sweet fruit and savory, salty cheese is a match made in heaven. Pair raspberry jelly with brie or fig jelly with prosciutto and provolone.
• Bagels: A layer of cream cheese topped with jelly is a bagel shop classic.
• Charcuterie Board: Include a small bowl of fruit jelly to complement various cheeses and cured meats.

Table: Jelly Uses at a Glance

Category	Usage Idea	Flavor Pairing Suggestions
Savory	Meat Glaze	Grape jelly + BBQ sauce for meatballs
	Salad Dressing	Raspberry jelly + balsamic vinegar for vinaigrette
	Baked Brie	Red pepper jelly + soft cheese with crackers
Sweet	Cake Filling	Strawberry jelly layered in a Victoria sponge
	Thumbprint Cookies	Apricot or raspberry jelly with shortbread
	Cheesecake Swirl	Blueberry or cherry jelly marbled into the batter
Breakfast	Oatmeal Mix-in	Any fruit jelly added to overnight oats
	Pancake Topping	Warmed grape or strawberry jelly with whipped cream
	Yogurt Stir-in	Peach or berry jelly blended with plain yogurt

Beverage and Cocktail Creations

For those who enjoy a creative cocktail, jelly can act as a sweet and fruity base for a unique drink. Shaking a spoonful of jelly with your favorite spirits adds flavor and texture, resulting in a delicious and visually appealing drink. For non-alcoholic options, a touch of jelly can transform iced tea or lemonade.

Alcoholic Drinks

• Jammy Gin & Tonic: Shake a spoonful of raspberry or strawberry jelly with gin and tonic water.
• Bourbon Peach Smash: Combine bourbon, fresh mint, and peach jelly for a refreshing cocktail.
• Jelly Mojito: Add a spoonful of apricot or berry jelly to a classic mojito recipe.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

• Fruity Iced Tea: Stir a spoonful of jelly into a glass of unsweetened iced tea for a naturally sweet flavor.
• Smoothies: Enhance fruit and veggie smoothies with a dollop of jelly when fresh fruit isn't available.

Conclusion: The Versatility of Jelly

From savory glazes on roasted meats to decadent dessert fillings and inventive cocktails, the uses for jelly extend far beyond the standard slice of bread. With a little creativity, this pantry staple can become a versatile ingredient in your kitchen. Experimenting with different flavor combinations, such as the classic sweet-and-savory contrast, can lead to exciting and surprising new dishes. By thinking beyond the breakfast table, you can utilize every last drop of your jelly and add a touch of deliciousness to countless meals and beverages.

Check out more creative ideas from Epicurious here: 23 Ways to Use Up That Jar of Jam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use jelly to make savory sauces for meat?

Yes, absolutely. Jelly, particularly flavors like grape or apricot, can be mixed with ingredients like BBQ sauce, chili sauce, soy sauce, or spices to create a delicious and simple glaze or sauce for cooking meatballs, chicken, or pork.

How do you use jelly for baked brie?

To make baked brie with jelly, simply place a wheel of brie cheese on a baking sheet or in a small dish. Spoon a layer of your preferred jelly, like red pepper or fig, over the top. Bake until the brie is warm and gooey, then serve with crackers.

What's an easy way to use leftover jelly in desserts?

A quick and easy dessert idea is to use jelly as a filling for thumbprint cookies. You can also mix it into cheesecake batter for a marbled swirl or use it as a simple, fruity filling for homemade doughnuts and pastries.

Can I use jelly in my cocktails?

Yes, you can use jelly in cocktails. It works well in shaken cocktails by adding a spoonful to the shaker before mixing. The jelly dissolves and adds both sweetness and fruity flavor. Try apricot jelly in a mojito or raspberry jelly in a gin and tonic.

How can I sweeten my morning oatmeal with jelly?

Instead of adding sugar, stir a spoonful of your favorite fruit jelly into a hot bowl of oatmeal or mix it into overnight oats for a naturally sweet, fruity flavor. It's a simple way to use up those jars of jelly.

Are there savory jams or jellies for cooking?

Yes, there are savory jams and jellies available. Flavors like pepper jelly, onion jam, or bacon jam are specifically made to pair with savory foods. However, regular fruit jellies can also be adapted for savory dishes by mixing them with ingredients like mustard, vinegar, or hot sauce.

Besides crackers and cheese, what's a good way to serve jelly at an appetizer party?

For an appetizer party, consider warming up a sweet jelly, like peach or apricot, with a touch of vinegar and soy sauce to create a dipping sauce for shrimp or chicken skewers. You can also combine grape jelly and chili sauce with cocktail sausages in a slow cooker.