Homemade Applesauce: The Easiest Recipe for Fresh, Flavorful Apple Sauce from Scratch

Making homemade applesauce is a wonderfully rewarding experience, whether you’re looking to use up a bounty of fresh apples, prepare a healthy snack, or create a versatile ingredient for countless recipes. It’s surprisingly easy, incredibly quick, and yields a product far superior in taste and freshness to anything you’ll find in a store. In just a few minutes, you can transform a handful of overripe apples into a delicious, wholesome treat that’s perfect for all ages, from baby food to a gourmet side dish.

This simple recipe is an excellent way to prevent food waste, especially after apple picking season or if you simply bought too many apples. By making your own applesauce, you not only ensure nothing goes to waste but also gain complete control over the ingredients, customizing the flavor and sweetness to your exact preference. Ditch the store-bought versions filled with added sugars and preservatives and discover the pure, unadulterated goodness of homemade.

Ready to embark on this culinary journey? This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from selecting the best apples to perfecting the texture, and even offers tips for storage and creative uses. Get ready to enjoy the rich, comforting aroma and taste of truly homemade applesauce.

Why Make Homemade Applesauce? The Benefits

There are numerous compelling reasons to make applesauce from scratch. Beyond the sheer satisfaction of creating something delicious in your own kitchen, homemade applesauce offers distinct advantages:

• Unmatched Freshness and Flavor: Store-bought applesauce often contains high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, and preservatives, which can mask the natural taste of apples. Homemade applesauce, however, bursts with authentic apple flavor, allowing you to truly appreciate the fruit’s natural sweetness and tang.
• Complete Control Over Ingredients: When you make applesauce at home, you dictate what goes into it. You can adjust the amount of sugar (or omit it entirely), choose organic apples, and experiment with various spices, ensuring a healthier and more personalized product.
• Reduces Food Waste: This recipe is a fantastic solution for utilizing apples that are past their prime, bruised, or simply abundant. Instead of letting them go bad, you can transform them into a delicious and versatile product.
• Economical: Buying apples in bulk or taking advantage of seasonal sales can make homemade applesauce a much more cost-effective option than purchasing pre-made jars.
• Versatility: Homemade applesauce is incredibly versatile. It can be enjoyed on its own as a snack, used as a healthy substitute for oil or sugar in baking, served alongside savory dishes like pork chops, or even frozen for later use.
• Perfect for Special Diets: Whether you’re making baby food, catering to a low-sugar diet, or avoiding certain additives, homemade applesauce can be tailored to meet specific dietary needs.

Choosing the Best Apples for Your Applesauce

While almost any apple can be used to make applesauce, the type you choose will significantly impact the final flavor and texture. A blend of apples often yields the most complex and delicious results. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:

• Sweet Apples: For a naturally sweeter applesauce that may require less added sugar, opt for varieties like Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, or Red Delicious. These apples break down easily and contribute a lovely mellow sweetness.
• Tart Apples: If you prefer a tangier applesauce or plan to add more sugar, Granny Smith is an excellent choice. Its firm texture holds up well during cooking, and its tartness provides a vibrant counterpoint to sweeter ingredients. Braeburn and Pink Lady also offer a good balance of sweet and tart.
• Balanced Apples: Many varieties offer a good equilibrium between sweet and tart, making them ideal for a well-rounded applesauce. Empire, Macintosh, Jonagold, and Cortland fall into this category. They soften beautifully and provide a classic apple flavor.

A common strategy is to combine a sweet apple with a tart one to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile without relying too heavily on added sweeteners. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to discover your favorite!

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Simple Ingredients for Delicious Homemade Applesauce

One of the beauties of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list. You likely already have most of these staples in your pantry. Even if you don’t have a fresh lemon on hand, bottled lemon juice works perfectly well. The key is quality ingredients, which shines through in the final product.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Apples: The star of the show! As discussed above, a mix of sweet and tart varieties can create the most depth of flavor. Ensure they are peeled, cored, and diced for even cooking, unless you plan to use a food mill (more on that in the “Notes & Tips” section).
• Lemon Zest & Juice: Lemon juice is crucial for two reasons: it brightens the apple flavor and helps prevent the applesauce from browning, keeping its appealing light color. The zest adds an extra layer of fragrant citrus aroma.
• Cinnamon: A classic pairing with apples, cinnamon adds warmth and comfort. Feel free to adjust the amount to your liking or even experiment with other spices.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a subtle caramel note. You can adjust the quantity based on the sweetness of your apples and your personal preference, or substitute it entirely.
• Water: Provides the necessary liquid for the apples to simmer and break down without sticking to the pot.
• Kosher Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, bringing out the natural sweetness of the apples. Don’t skip it!

What’s truly wonderful about making apple sauce at home is the ability to customize it. Beyond the basic ingredients, you can try adding different spices or a blend of other warm spices, like pumpkin pie spice, classic apple pie spice, or even a hint of five-spice powder for an adventurous twist. The possibilities are endless!

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and detailed instructions.

Essential Equipment for Applesauce Making

Making homemade applesauce doesn’t require any fancy gadgets. Most of what you need are standard kitchen items:

• Large Pot or Saucepan: A heavy-bottomed pot ensures even heating and prevents scorching. Choose one large enough to comfortably hold all your diced apples.
• Cutting Board and Knife: For peeling, coring, and dicing your apples. A good sharp knife makes this task much easier.
• Vegetable Peeler: If you’re peeling your apples.
• Potato Masher: Essential for achieving a chunky applesauce texture.
• Whisk or Spoon: For stirring the ingredients.
• Optional: Food Mill or Immersion Blender/Food Processor: For those who prefer a perfectly smooth applesauce, these tools are invaluable. A food mill is also great if you want to leave the skins on the apples during cooking, as it will separate them out.
• Storage Jars: If you plan to store your applesauce for later, clean glass jars are a must.

Step-by-Step Method to Perfect Homemade Applesauce

Making homemade applesauce is incredibly straightforward. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a delightful batch ready to enjoy.

Preparation and Combining Ingredients

Begin by preparing your apples. Wash them thoroughly. If you don’t have a food mill, peel, core, and dice your apples into roughly 1-inch pieces. Uniform dicing ensures that the apples cook evenly. Place all the prepared apple pieces into your large pot or saucepan.

Next, add the lemon zest and juice, cinnamon, brown sugar, water, and kosher salt to the pot with the apples. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined. You want to ensure the sugar is evenly distributed and moistened, coating all the apple pieces. This step is crucial for infusing the apples with flavor from the very beginning.

Cooking to Perfection

Once everything is mixed, place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. As soon as it boils, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes. The exact simmering time will depend on the type of apples you’re using and how finely they are diced. The goal is for the apples to become completely soft and tender, easily pierced with a fork.

During the simmering process, the apples will release their natural juices, combine with the added water, and create a fragrant, saucy consistency. Keep an eye on the pot to ensure it doesn’t dry out, though the lid should help retain moisture.

Achieving Your Desired Consistency

Once the apples are thoroughly softened, it’s time to create your preferred applesauce texture. If you love a rustic, chunky applesauce, simply use a potato masher directly in the pot to gently mash the cooked apples to your desired consistency. For a smoother, yet still somewhat textured sauce, mash a bit more vigorously.

If you prefer a perfectly smooth, velvety applesauce, allow the mixture to cool slightly. Then, transfer it to a food processor or use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Blend until you achieve a silky-smooth consistency. Remember, if you used a food mill for apples with skins on, now is the time to run the cooked apples through it. The mill will separate the skins and seeds, leaving you with smooth applesauce.

Taste your applesauce and adjust as needed. If it’s too thick, add a little more water. If it’s not sweet enough, stir in a bit more sugar. If it’s too sweet, a splash of lemon juice can balance it out. Serve warm or chilled.

Storage and Preservation of Homemade Applesauce

One of the great advantages of making a big batch of applesauce is the ability to store it for future use. Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your homemade creation for weeks or even months to come.

Refrigeration

For immediate use, allow the applesauce to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers or jars. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will remain fresh for up to 1-2 weeks. This is perfect for daily snacking or meal prep.

Freezing

Freezing is an excellent option for longer-term storage. Once cooled, spoon the applesauce into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of headspace to account for expansion. You can also freeze it in smaller portions using ice cube trays (great for baby food!) or muffin tins, then transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag. Frozen applesauce will keep well for up to 3-6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Canning (for extended shelf life)

For a shelf-stable option that lasts even longer, you can can your applesauce using a hot water bath method. Ensure your jars and lids are properly sterilized. Fill hot jars with hot applesauce, leaving ½ inch headspace, then process in a boiling water canner according to established canning guidelines (typically 15-20 minutes for pint jars, adjusting for altitude). Always refer to reliable canning resources like the USDA for detailed, safe instructions. Canned applesauce can last for up to a year or more in a cool, dark pantry.

Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Homemade Applesauce

Beyond simply eating it by the spoonful, homemade applesauce is incredibly versatile. Here are some delicious ways to incorporate it into your meals and snacks:

• Classic Side Dish: Serve alongside savory meats like pork chops, roasted chicken, or turkey for a touch of sweet and tart contrast.
• Breakfast Booster: Stir into oatmeal, yogurt, or cottage cheese. It’s also fantastic drizzled over pancakes or waffles.
• Baking Ingredient: Use applesauce as a healthy substitute for oil or butter in muffins, cakes, and quick breads. It adds moisture and natural sweetness while reducing fat content.
• Dessert Topping: A warm dollop of applesauce is perfect over vanilla ice cream, plain cake, or even a simple piece of toast.
• Baby Food: Its smooth, natural sweetness makes it an ideal first food for babies. You have full control over ingredients, ensuring it’s free from added sugars or preservatives.
• Snack Time: Enjoy chilled or warm as a refreshing and healthy snack on its own.
• Smoothie Base: Add a spoonful to your morning smoothie for extra fruitiness and thickness.
• Marinade: The acidity and sweetness can tenderize and flavor meats as part of a marinade.

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📖 Recipe

Yield: 4

How to make Homemade Applesauce

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes

Whatever reason you are learning How to make Homemade Applesauce, it is easy and worthwhile. And always has more flavor than store bought.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Apples, diced – peel & core removed
• Zest of 1 Lemon
• 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
• ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
• ¼ cup Brown Sugar
• ½ cup Water
• ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt

Instructions

Place all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring them to a boil.

Reduce the heat to a simmer over low heat. Place the lid on the pan and simmer for 15 minutes.

When the apples are completely tender, use a potato masher to press them into a paste. This will result in a rather chunky apple sauce, if you like a super smooth apple sauce, let the mixture cool a little and puree it in a food processor.

Give your apple sauce a taste at this point. If the applesauce is too thick, add more water to thin it out. If not sweet enough, add more sugar to taste. If too sweet, add more lemon juice.

Notes

Notes & Tips

If you do not have a food mill, you will need to peel the apples before cooking. If you have one, you can cook the apples with the peels on because the food mill will remove them when you pass them through it.

If you like a spicy apple sauce, I have heard of people adding cinnamon red hots to the mixture before cooking and letting them melt into the apples.

If you would like to make apple butter, once the apples have softened, mash them in the pot and continue cooking until most of the liquid evaporates and the color darkens. Apple Butter is just a sweeter more concentrated version of apple sauce.

Substitutions

In my photos, you see that I used granny smith apples. And of course, you can use this method to make applesauce using ANY apple. The flavor will just be indicative of whichever apple you use.

If you do not have fresh lemon juice, you can use bottled or swap it all together for apple cider vinegar.

Make this easy applesauce your own by adding different spices or a blend of other spices, like pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or five spice.

In place of the sugar, you can use honey, stevia, Splenda, or another sweetener you prefer to sweeten the sauce.

You could also omit the sugar altogether. If you leave it out, you will want to add less lemon juice or your applesauce may become too tart.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Meat Chopper, 5 Curve Blades Ground Beef Masher, Heat Resistant Meat Masher Tool for Hamburger Meat, Ground Beef, Turkey and More, Nylon Hamburger Chopper Utensil Non-scratch Utensils
• Breville BSB510XL Control Grip Immersion Blender, Stainless Steel
• Shun Classic 7″ Hollow Ground Santoku Knife w/Custom Engraving
• John Boos MPL1812125G Chop-N-Slice Select Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board, 18 Inches x 12 Inches x 1.25 Inches
• Scanpan Stainless Steel HAPTIQ 2.75-Quart Covered Saucepan

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 169Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 166mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 6gSugar: 35gProtein: 1g

This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.

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