Description
Make this easy stovetop homemade applesauce with just a few simple ingredients. It is naturally sweet, perfect as a healthy snack, a cozy side dish, or for baking applications.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pounds apples (like Gala or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Place the chopped apples, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add lemon juice if you are using it.
- 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.
- Cook until the apples are very tender and easily mashable.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Use an immersion blender or potato masher to reach your desired consistency—smooth or chunky.
- Taste the applesauce. If you need more sweetness, you can add a small amount of maple syrup or sugar, though the apples usually provide enough natural sweetness.
- Serve the homemade applesauce warm, or cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, use apples that break down easily, like McIntosh or Red Delicious.
- If you prefer a spiced applesauce, add a whole cinnamon stick during cooking and remove it before mashing.
- This recipe is great for meal prep and freezes well for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 2
- Fat: 0.2
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 39
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 0.4
- Cholesterol: 0