---
title: "Red currant instead of ketchup: a piquant sauce that became the culinary trend of summer 2026"
description: "🍒 Summer 2026 dictates new rules: red currants are no longer just for jam! A stylish piquant sauce with garlic and spices has become the main culinary trend of the season. Styler shares a recipe that will replace ketchup in your kitchen. Find out how to turn an ordinary berry into a gastronomic hit with notes of coriander and ginger. 🥣✨ #recipes #redcurrant #preserves2026 #gastronomy #styler"
date: 2026-08-08T10:44:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/red-currant-instead-of-ketchup-piquant-sauce-trend-2026
tags: [red-currant, recipes, summer-2026, food-trends, styler-rbc]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Red currant instead of ketchup: a piquant sauce that became the culinary trend of summer 2026

![Jars of red currant sauce and fresh berries on a wooden tray — summer 2026 food trend](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/08/krasnaya-smorodina-vmesto-ketchupa-pikantnyy-sous-trend-2026/krasnaya-smorodina-vmesto-ketchupa-pikantnyy-sous-trend-2026-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Red currants are becoming the basis for a piquant sauce replacing ketchup.
- The recipe includes garlic, coriander, khmeli-suneli, and ginger.
- The key stage is rubbing through a sieve for a delicate texture.
- The sauce is suitable for long-term storage in sterilized jars.

Summer 2026 was marked not only by record harvests but also by new gastronomic trends. While red currants were previously encountered in our homes primarily in the form of compotes and traditional jams, this season chefs propose a radical change in the approach to using this berry. The project [Styler](https://styler.rbc.ua), together with the community *bude_smachno_razom*, presented a sauce recipe that claims to be the best alternative to familiar ketchup.

### A piquant alternative to the familiar taste

The essence of the novelty lies in the combination of the natural acidity of currants with spicy spices and garlic. Unlike sweet preserves, this sauce has a complex flavor profile that perfectly complements meat dishes, pasta, and even cheese boards. The recipe is based on one kilogram of ripe red currants, which in August 2026 are at the peak of their flavor. To balance the taste, a moderate amount of sugar (200–250 g) and salt are used, which allows highlighting the berry note rather than masking it.

### Preparation technology and the secret of thickness

The process of creating the sauce requires attention to detail. The berries are first heat-treated with a small amount of water until they become soft. The key stage is rubbing the mass through a fine sieve. This is necessary to remove seeds and tough skins, ensuring the sauce has a delicate, velvety texture. The returned puree is simmered on the stove with the addition of spices: coriander, khmeli-suneli, and dried ginger. It is precisely this set of spices that gives the dish Eastern notes and piquancy.

### The role of garlic and starch in the recipe

Special attention in the recipe is paid to the timing of adding garlic. It is introduced five minutes before readiness to preserve the sharpness and aroma, but to avoid bitterness from overcooking. For those who prefer a thicker, spreadable consistency, the recipe provides for the use of cornstarch diluted in cold water. This allows achieving the desired density without prolonged simmering, preserving the bright color and vitamins. The finished product is poured into sterilized jars, ensuring long-term storage.

### Culinary context of summer 2026

The appearance of this recipe is not accidental. In the current season, there is a surge of interest in homemade preparations with an author's taste. The Styler editorial team notes that such experiments are becoming a response to consumers' desire to diversify their diet with accessible seasonal products. Previously, the project shared recipes that became family traditions, for example, trendy corn, and the new currant sauce with garlic and spices, it seems, has every chance to take a worthy place on kitchen shelves this year.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Can this sauce be stored in winter?
**A:** Yes, the finished hot sauce is poured into sterilized jars and sealed tightly, which allows it to be stored for a long time.

### Q: What spices are used in the sauce?
**A:** Ground coriander, khmeli-suneli, and dried ginger are used for aroma and piquancy.

### Q: How to make the sauce thicker?
**A:** To thicken, you can add cornstarch diluted in cold water 5 minutes before readiness.