Whether you are learning How to make Homemade Applesauce because you don't want to run to the store cause you need some for a recipe, or just because you like it, or maybe as baby food, it is easy and worthwhile. And it only takes a few minutes if you have some overripe apples laying around needing to be used.
This is a great way to ensure nothing goes to waste. From apple picking or overbuying, whatever the reason, make this homemade applesauce for any need or occasion.
Ingredients
Just a handful of ingredients is all you need to make this simple recipe. Everything here is pretty much a pantry staple. Even if I don't have a fresh lemon I have some juice in the fridge. Which is totally acceptable to use if needed.
What is also great about making apple sauce at home is that you can customize it. Try adding different spices or a blend of other spices, like pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or five spice.
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 instructions.
Method
Start by placing all of the ingredients into a pot and stirring them together until well combined. You want to wet the sugar and evenly disperse everything.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook the apples until they are soft. You can then mash them gently for chunky applesauce, or until your desired consistency is reached. If you have a food mill, you can leave the skins on and run them through it in the end too.
If you make a big batch, you can place it in jars for later use, or single servings.
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.
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📖 Recipe
How to make Homemade Applesauce
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.
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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
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Shun Classic 7" Hollow Ground Santoku Knife w/Custom Engraving
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John Boos MPL1812125G Chop-N-Slice Select Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board, 18 Inches x 12 Inches x 1.25 Inches
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Scanpan Stainless Steel HAPTIQ 2.75-Quart Covered Saucepan
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount 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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