Marmalade is a sweet and tangy fruit preserve that can be enjoyed in many ways. As a versatile condiment, marmalade complements both savory and sweet dishes. When determining what goes well with marmalade, consider the fruit used to make it as well as its texture and flavor profile. The most common types of marmalade are made from citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. The bittersweet taste and spreadable consistency of marmalade make it a great accompaniment to a variety of foods.
Does marmalade go well with cheese?
Yes, marmalade is an excellent complement to cheeses like cheddar, brie, chevre, ricotta, and cottage cheese. The sweet and sour notes of marmalade balance nicely with the salty flavors of cheese. Marmalade contains fruit rinds which provide texture that contrasts nicely with creamy cheeses. For a simple appetizer, try spreading marmalade on crackers and topping with cheese. Or use marmalade as a sandwich spread with sliced cheese. Marmalade also works well baked into cheese appetizers like phyllo cups filled with ricotta and marmalade or marmalade baked brie.
What breakfast foods pair well with marmalade?
Marmalade is a staple condiment at the breakfast table. Its bright fruit flavors and sweetness make it a perfect match for many breakfast foods including:
- Toast – Simply spread marmalade on toast for a fast and easy breakfast.
- Scones – Add a dollop of marmalade to scones for a fruity accent.
- Muffins – Use marmalade as a filling or topping for muffins.
- Bagels – Marmalade provides a sweet contrast to cream cheese on a bagel.
- Oatmeal – Stir a spoonful of marmalade into oatmeal for extra flavor.
- Yogurt – Mix marmalade into plain yogurt for a quick parfait.
- Granola – Drizzle or dip granola into marmalade for added sweetness.
- Pancakes and waffles – Serve marmalade as a syrupy topping for pancakes or waffles.
- Biscuits – Marmalade between layers adds moisture to flaky biscuits.
- Crepes – Fill or top crepes with marmalade for a touch of tartness.
Marmalade is also delicious baked into breakfast treats like orange marmalade danishes, marmalade-filled croissants, marmalade muffins, and marmalade coffee cake.
What proteins pair well with marmalade?
Marmalade can be used to glaze, season, or accompany proteins with delicious results:
- Pork – Marmalade glazes give ham and pork chops a tangy sweetness.
- Chicken – Chicken pairs well with fruit-based marmalades like orange or cherry.
- Turkey – Spread marmalade on a turkey sandwich for extra flavor.
- Duck – Marmalade’s slight bitterness complements rich duck breast nicely.
- Salmon – Orange or grapefruit marmalade make an excellent accompaniment to salmon.
- Shrimp – A shrimp cocktail gains a fruity accent from marmalade cocktail sauce.
- Meatballs – Mix a spoonful of marmalade into meatballs for a new flavor twist.
- Bean dishes – Marmalade adds natural sweetness to veggie bean dishes.
For a fast dinner idea, broil salmon fillets brushed with marmalade or bake chicken drumsticks with a marmalade glaze.
What vegetables work well with marmalade?
Here are some tasty ways marmalade can be served with vegetables:
- Carrots – Shredded carrots in marmalade make a flavorful salad or relish.
- Sweet potatoes – Marmalade gives roasted sweet potatoes a hint of tangy sweetness.
- Brussel sprouts – Toss roasted brussel sprouts with a marmalade vinaigrette.
- Broccoli – Stir a spoonful of marmalade into broccoli slaw for a zippy side.
- Cabbage – Marmalade complements flavors of cabbage in coleslaw or braised cabbage dishes.
- Green beans – Coat green beans with marmalade before roasting for a sticky glaze.
- Squash – Bake squash halves stuffed with a marmalade bread crumb filling.
- Eggplant – Slices of eggplant gain richness layered with marmalade and baked.
Marmalade also gives a sweet-tart flavor to dressings and sauces for vegetables like orange marmalade vinaigrette, marmalade glazed carrots, and marmalade dipping sauce.
What meat dishes feature marmalade?
There are many savory meat dishes that incorporate marmalade as an ingredient:
| Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Marmalade glazed ham | A baked ham covered in a sticky marmalade glaze |
| Marmalade chicken | Chicken baked with a marmalade, honey, and mustard coating |
| Pork tenderloin with marmalade | Pork tenderloin roasted with a sweet and tangy orange marmalade sauce |
| Marmalade meatballs | Sweet and savory meatballs made with marmalade as an ingredient |
| Duck breast with marmalade | Pan seared duck breast served with a rich marmalade sauce |
| Marmalade barbecue ribs | Pork ribs with a sticky, tangy marmalade barbecue sauce |
What desserts work well with marmalade?
Marmalade is a natural choice for many desserts because of its inherent sweetness and fruit flavors. Popular desserts featuring marmalade include:
- Tarts – Fill pastry shells with marmalade for simple, elegant tarts.
- Cakes – Marmalade between cake layers or swirled into batter adds moistness.
- Cookies – Marmalade thumbprint or linzer cookies are buttery classics.
- Pie – Use as a filling for lattice-top pies or incorporate into pie crust.
- Panna cotta – Stir into cream before gelling for a rippled effect.
- Cream puffs – Fill cream puffs with sweetened marmalade for a concentrated flavor.
- Truffles – Mix marmalade into chocolate ganache for decadent truffles.
- Fruit desserts – Pair with fresh fruit in compotes, parfaits, or fruit tarts.
- Cheesecake – Swirl marmalade into cheesecake batter before baking.
- Pudding – Layer marmalade between baked pudding and whipped cream.
Marmalade also works well in sauces and glazes for cakes and breads. Try recipes like marmalade glazed scones, marmalade sticky buns, and orange marmalade cake.
What types of beverages pair well with marmalade?
Marmalade can add sweet fruit flavor when paired with these beverages:
- Tea – Stirring a bit of marmalade into tea is a British tradition.
- Coffee – Adds a fruity accent when swirled into coffee or espresso drinks.
- Wine spritzers – Mix with wine and club soda for a marmalade spritzer.
- Gin cocktails – Marmalade gin fizzes and negronis use marmalade’s citrus notes.
- Vodka cocktails – Creamsicle cocktails combine marmalade and vanilla vodka.
- Rum cocktails – Mix into tropical rum cocktails like a marmalade daiquiri.
- Whiskey cocktails – Marmalade Old Fashioneds are a boozy brunch treat.
- Champagne – Try adding a spoonful of marmalade to a flute of champagne.
- Shrubs – Marmalade vinegar shrubs are a trendy non-alcoholic drink.
- Lemonade – For a twist, mix some marmalade into a glass of lemonade.
Marmalade adds a jammy texture and sweet-tart kick to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
What are some creative ways to use marmalade?
Beyond the usual ways to enjoy marmalade, here are some creative recipe ideas to inspire unique uses for it:
- Breakfast pizza – Top pizza dough with marmalade, cheese, and eggs.
- Meat marinades – Combine with oil, vinegar, and herbs to marinate meats.
- Stuffed French toast – Spread marmalade inside French toast before cooking.
- Tartar sauce – Stir into tartar sauce for seafood dishes.
- Burger topping – Melted marmalade makes a tasty burger topping.
- Salad dressing – Emulsify with oil and vinegar for a sweet salad dressing.
- Overnight oats – Swirl into overnight oats along with chia seeds, yogurt, and milk.
- Energy balls – Use as a binder and sweetener in no-bake energy balls.
- Popcorn topping – Drizzle over popcorn with melted butter for a sweet and salty snack.
- Quesadillas – Spread inside quesadillas before grilling for a fruit-filled twist.
With its stickiness and high sugar content, marmalade can be used in place of other sweeteners in recipes for a punch of citrus flavor.
Conclusion
Marmalade is extremely versatile, pairing well with cheeses, meats, vegetables, desserts, and beverages both hot and cold. Its sweet-tart taste provides a nice balance to richer foods like ham, pork, and cheese. The fruit base of marmalade works well in both sweet baked goods and fresh fruit desserts. Beyond breakfast condiment duties, marmalade can add intrigue to cocktails, marinades, salad dressings, and more. With endless possibilities, marmalade is a pantry staple that can inspire everyday meals as well as new culinary adventures.
