How to Make Applesauce

Old-fashioned homemade applesauce is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to enjoy fresh fall produce. With just a few basic ingredients and about 30 minutes on the stovetop, we'll show you how to make applesauce quickly and easily! The simple, flavorful side dish is perfect with oatmeal in the morning, or tasty alongside roast chicken or oven-fried pork chops for supper.

If you find yourself picking apples at an orchard this season, or if you've just got a hankering for Grandma's homemade applesauce recipe, then grab your Dutch oven and cook a batch of this sweet, warmly-spiced, and oh-so-delicious treat. It's truly the best applesauce and a perfect fall side dish!

Homemade Applesauce

Although applesauce is said to have originated in the mid-1700s, the practice of preparing sauces with apples dates back to medieval Europe. We've been preparing versions of this simple dish in Virginia since settlers arrived on the continent, and each year you'll find the next generation simmering a pot as the local fruit ripens in the nearby orchards. Homemade applesauce is easy, kid-friendly, and a lovely companion for a variety of meals.

In this old-fashioned homemade applesauce recipe, you simply cook down apples with water, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and salt, and then puree the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency. While I love a slow-simmering crockpot applesauce for a hands-off option, you just can't beat a classic homemade applesauce that comes together on the stovetop in less than one hour. It tastes just like Grandma used to make it!

The Best Apples for Applesauce

You can use any apples that you enjoy, and I often use a blend of whatever we pick from the orchard! That said, soft apples are great because they cook down quickly and don’t hold their shape in the way that Granny Smith or other pie-friendly apples will. Good options include: Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Rome and Jonagold apples. The type of apples that you choose will obviously impact the flavor of your applesauce, so my best recommendation is to use a variety that you think tastes delicious!

How many apples?

You'll need 4 pounds of apples for this recipe. Depending on the size of your apples, the total number will vary. In general, four pounds is equal to about 8-12 apples. I used 11 relatively small Golden Delicious apples here.

Ingredients

This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you'll need for a batch of homemade applesauce. As always, specific measurements and complete cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.

• Apples: I prefer a soft apple that breaks down easily when cooked. Good options include Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Cortland, Jonathan, Rome and Jonagold apples.
• Water: add more at the end, if needed, to thin.
• Brown sugar: see the note below to adjust the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of your apples. You can omit the sugar for an unsweetened homemade applesauce.
• Lemon juice: a common ingredient in apple pie filling and apple crisp recipes, the lemon juice provides a bright, acidic component that balances the sweetness of the fruit and enhances the apples' natural flavors. It does not make the dish taste like lemon.
• Cinnamon: we love cinnamon applesauce, so I use enough to actually give the dish warm fall flavor. If you prefer, you can omit this seasoning or decrease the amount for a more subtle taste. You might also like to add other warm spices, such as ginger, nutmeg, and clove.
• Salt: again, just a touch! This doesn't make your applesauce taste "salty," but it nicely balances the sweetness and gives the sauce a more complex flavor.

How to Make Applesauce

This easy recipe comes together with just a handful of simple kitchen staples. Once you've peeled and chopped the apples, your hardest job is done!

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a large Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot.
2. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are nice and soft, about 30 minutes.
3. Use a handheld immersion blender or a potato masher to puree the applesauce to your preferred consistency. You may need to add a little bit more water to thin the sauce, and (depending on the sweetness of your apples) you may need to add some more brown sugar. Just taste and decide!

Chunky Applesauce Recipe

If you like a chunky applesauce, use a potato masher to coarsely mash the apples without pureeing them into a smooth texture.

How to Make Smooth Applesauce

For a silky smooth texture, puree your applesauce with a handheld immersion blender or a regular blender. You may need to add a little bit more water, depending on how "juicy" your apples were. If serving the applesauce to a baby or toddler, you may need to thin the puree with even more water so that it's easy to swallow.

Serving Suggestions

Applesauce is a delicious snack on its own, but it's also a nice side dish when paired with a meal. You can stir the applesauce into oatmeal or yogurt at breakfast, or serve it alongside a dinner such as:

• Garlic and Rosemary Pork Chops
• Stuffed Pork Chops
• Beer Brats
• Sloppy Joes
• Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce
• Rosemary Oven Roasted Chicken
• Blue Willow Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers
• Pecan Crusted Chicken
• Dutch Oven Pork Roast with Gravy
• Roasted Chicken Breast
• Mini Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
• Crispy Roast Chicken with Vegetables
• Crispy Fried Chicken
• Mississippi Roasted Pork Shoulder
• Pork Tenderloin
• Grilled BBQ Pork Chops
• Ham Steaks with Brown Sugar Glaze
• Potato Pancakes

More Uses for Applesauce

You can also use your homemade applesauce as an ingredient in recipes such as:

• Bran Muffins
• Apple Bread
• Baked Oatmeal
• Banana Bread
• Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

You can also use applesauce as a replacement for some of the oil or butter in baking recipes if you're looking to retain moisture but lower the overall fat content of the dish. Just be wary of using applesauce as a substitute for all of the fat called for in a recipe, since that tends to yield gummy baked goods with an odd texture.

Storage

Homemade applesauce will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 7-10 days. If serving the applesauce to a baby or toddler, try storing it in these reusable squeezable pouches (they're dishwasher and freezer-safe, too).

Do not leave homemade applesauce out at room temperature for more than 1-2 hours. It needs to be refrigerated in order to stay fresh. You can tell if applesauce is bad when it has an "off" odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears.

Can you freeze applesauce?

Yes! To freeze, transfer the cooled applesauce to freezer-safe jars, Ziploc freezer bags, or other airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

Recipe Variations

• No Sugar: This recipe will work without any added sugar, so feel free to omit that ingredient for an unsweetened applesauce. If you're not including sugar, I recommend choosing a naturally sweet apple variety (rather than a tart apple like Granny Smith).
• For a smaller batch of applesauce, cut all of the ingredients in half. Similarly, you can prepare a larger batch of the applesauce by doubling or tripling all of the ingredients.
• Spice it up! If you enjoy warm autumn spices, add some other seasoning to the sauce. In addition to the cinnamon, good options include nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice. You can also use an apple pie spice blend.
• Omit the cinnamon or decrease the amount called for if you don't care for this ingredient.

Tips for the Best Applesauce Recipe

• Use a variety of apples (or a combination of different varieties) that have a soft texture. These apples break down easily during the cooking process. Good options include Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Rome, Jonagold, Cortland and Jonathan. Most importantly, pick apples with great flavor!
• For a chunky applesauce, mash the cooked apples with a potato masher. If you like a smooth texture, use a handheld immersion blender or a regular blender. Thin the sauce with extra water, as necessary, so that it's easy to puree. The amount of water needed will depend on how "juicy" your apples are.
• Adjust the seasoning and sweetness to suit your personal preference. Omit the cinnamon altogether, or add extra spices. Similarly, you can play with the amount of sugar that you use, depending on the sweetness of your apples.

More Apple Recipes to Try

• Baked Apple Slices
• Apple Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar
• Apple Coffee Cake
• Mom's Easy Apple Pie
• Dutch Apple Pie
• Easy Apple Crisp
• Old-Fashioned Apple Cake
• Apple Galette
• Cranberry Apple Crisp
• Apple Walnut Cake with Caramel Glaze
• 4-Ingredient Apple Dip
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter
• Shortcut Apple Pecan Date Bars
• Waldorf Salad

This recipe was originally published in August, 2020. It was updated in October, 2021.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.