Make comforting homemade applesauce quickly on the stovetop. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and results in a flavorful, naturally sweet side dish or snack.
Author:oliviarosewood
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:20 min
Total Time:30 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Side Dish
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
4 lbs cooking apples (like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
Wash the apples. You may peel them if you prefer a smoother texture, but peeling is optional for this recipe. Core the apples and cut them into roughly 1-inch chunks.
Place the apple chunks, water, lemon juice (if using), cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) into a large pot or Dutch oven.
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The apples should be very soft and easily mashed.
Remove the pot from the heat. Use a potato masher to break down the apples to your desired consistency. Mash thoroughly for smooth applesauce, or mash lightly for chunky applesauce.
Taste the applesauce. If you desire more sweetness, stir in a small amount of maple syrup or sugar now.
Serve the applesauce warm, or cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
For a very smooth applesauce, transfer the cooked mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender after mashing.
This recipe is naturally sweetened by the apples, but you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of maple syrup if your apples are tart.
This homemade applesauce pairs well as a side dish for pork chops or as a healthy snack.