Description
Ina Garten’s Applesauce is a classic, homemade version of the popular side dish, made by simmering fresh apples with sugar, lemon juice, and warm spices until they’re tender and flavorful. The apples are then mashed to your desired consistency, whether you prefer it chunky or smooth. This versatile recipe can be enjoyed on its own, as a topping for pancakes, or even as a side dish with pork chops.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large apples (such as Granny Smith, McIntosh, or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and quartered
- 1/2 cup of water or apple cider
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and quarter the apples. Place the prepared apples in a large saucepan or pot.
- Add Liquid and Spices: Add the water or apple cider, granulated sugar, lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the pot. If using, add the ground nutmeg and ground allspice.
- Cook the Apples: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the apples cook for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are very tender and can be easily mashed with a spoon.
- Mash the Apples: Once the apples are fully cooked, use a potato masher or an immersion blender to mash the apples to your desired consistency. You can make the applesauce chunky or smooth, depending on your preference.
- Adjust the Flavor: Taste the applesauce and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if needed. If you prefer a tangier flavor, add a bit more lemon juice.
- Serve: Serve the applesauce warm or let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to a container. The applesauce can also be chilled in the refrigerator and served cold.