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Easy Stovetop Homemade Applesauce Recipe

Close-up of chunky, spiced homemade applesauce served in a small white bowl.
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Make the best homemade applesauce on the stovetop. This quick recipe captures the cozy fall flavor and is naturally sweet, perfect for snacks or side dishes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 lbs apples (like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and core the apples. You can peel them if you prefer a very smooth texture, but leaving the skins on adds fiber and color. Cut the apples into 1-inch chunks.
  2. Place the apple chunks, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add lemon juice if you are using it.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15 to 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. The apples are done when they are very tender and easily mash with a fork.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. If you left the skins on, you can use an immersion blender or potato masher to reach your desired consistency—smooth or chunky.
  7. Taste the applesauce. If you want it sweeter, stir in a small amount of maple syrup or sugar, though the fruit often provides enough natural sweetness.
  8. 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 applesauce, remove the skins after cooking by rubbing the cooked apples through a fine-mesh sieve.
  • This recipe works well for freezing. Cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe bags or containers.
  • Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor balance.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesfleet.com/easy-stovetop-homemade-applesauce/