Citrus Free Apple-Sage Compote
Warm, glossy, and fragrant with fresh sage, this compote is the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste more intentional. Diced apples are cooked down in butter and pure maple syrup until they turn tender and lacquered in a naturally sweet glaze — no refined sugar, no citrus juice, no zest hiding anywhere in the ingredient list. That last point matters more than you might think, because so many fruit-based sauces and chutneys lean on lemon or orange to brighten the flavor, which puts them off-limits for anyone avoiding citrus. Here, a splash of apple cider vinegar does that brightening work beautifully, adding just enough tang to keep the sweetness from feeling heavy. The fresh sage stirred in at the end is the real surprise — it brings an earthy, almost savory note that makes this compote equally at home alongside roasted pork, a cheese board, or a stack of fluffy pancakes. Ground ginger adds a gentle warmth that ties everything together without overpowering the apple. It's a simple, short ingredient list that punches well above its weight.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 1 ½ lb apples (about 4 medium), peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch dice
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- 6 fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until foamy and just beginning to subside, about 1 minute.
- 2
Add the diced apples, maple syrup, water, ground ginger, and salt. Stir to coat, then cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and most of the liquid has reduced to a syrupy glaze, 14–16 minutes.
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