Nitrate & Nitrite Free Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce
Warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this homemade applesauce is the kind of simple recipe that makes you wonder why you ever bought the jarred stuff. Store-bought versions often sneak in preservatives and additives that people avoiding nitrates and nitrites have to scrutinize label by label — here, every single ingredient is clean, whole, and easy to recognize. Tart-sweet apple chunks simmer down with honey, warming Ceylon cinnamon, a hint of ginger, and just a pinch of sea salt until they're perfectly tender and ready to be mashed to your liking. Ceylon cinnamon is a lovely touch — it's softer and more floral than the common cassia variety, and it lets the natural apple flavor shine rather than overpower it. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens everything up and keeps the color gorgeous. Serve it warm alongside a cozy dinner, spoon it over oatmeal in the morning, or eat it straight from the pot — no judgment here. It stores beautifully in the fridge, so making a big batch is absolutely worth it.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 3 lbs apples (about 6 medium), peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the apple chunks, water, honey, Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir to coat the apples evenly.
- 2
Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely tender and beginning to break down, about 15–18 minutes. The apples should offer no resistance when pressed with a spoon.
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