A simple tutorial on How to Can Applesauce in 4 basic steps. This is so simple that anyone can do it, and our family will enjoy applesauce all year round!
How to Can Applesauce
Canning was a regular part of this time of year for my mom. We always had canned peaches, tomatoes, applesauce, pears, salsa, jam etc.. on hand. I probably took for granted how lucky I was to have Raspberry Freezer Jam available all the time!
We used our canned goods in everything! Canned tomatoes went in soup, canned peaches went in my favorite cobbler recipe.
Canned Applesauce with a little cinnamon on top was my favorite after school snack!
How long are is canned applesauce good for?
If canned applesauce is properly stored, it will last 18-24 months (at best quality), and are often safe eating after even longer than that.
How do I know if my canned applesauce is safe to eat?
Always make sure your mason jars do not show signs of leaking or rusting. Press down on the center of the lid: it should not pop back. If it sits flat it is safe, but if it pops back, it has not sealed properly.
If your applesauce starts to develop a fowl odor, become discolored, or if you see signs of mold, these are signs of spoilage and you should discard it!
I think some people are weary of canning because it seems complicated or hard, but it’s SO easy, and canned applesauce is the easiest method of them all.
Unlike other canning recipes, apples don’t need specific extra ingredients to make them safe for canning. The apples are high in acid and natural sugars, so they preserve well using the water bath method.
If you have a favorite homemade applesauce recipe, you can use it!
I would highly recommend this amazing Instant Pot applesauce or Slow Cooker applesauce recipe for canning. Both are fast and make the process even easier.
If you’d like to use a saucepan, I will detail those instructions here.
How to can applesauce:
Make sure everything is sterilized!
Be sure to sterilize your jars. (I usually run them through the dishwasher before I begin). You will need NEW lids, clean rings, equipment, countertops and workspace. Let’s be safe by making sure we have a clean working environment and equipment!
Peel, core, and cut the apples (unless you use a food mill/strainer).
Wash the apples well. Then I use a johnny apple peeler to do all three steps at once. Fast and easy!
Cook apples until they’re soft and mashable
Sweeten with sugar or brown sugar, if desired
Process in waterbath canner
Adjust cooking time for your altitude, if necessary. For more details, follow water bath canning instructions : http://www.simplycanning.com/water-bath-canning.html
Tools needed:
Apple Peeler, Slicer And Corer or Food mill
Ball Wide Mouth Canning Jar-Quart
Waterbath Canning Kit
Potato Masher
Consider using your apples in these popular recipes:
- Apple Crisp
- Apple Coffee Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
- Broccoli Apple Salad
- Cinnamon Applesauce Bread
- Healthy Applesauce Oat Muffins
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A simple tutorial on how to can applesauce in 4 basic steps. This is so simple that anyone can do it, and our family will enjoy applesauce all year round!
- apple , whatever kind you like--I use Golden Delicious (6-8 apples make about 1 quart of applesauce)
- granulated sugar , to taste
- water bath canner
- canning jars
- canning seals (new ones) and rings
- jar lifter
- large stock pot
First peel, core, and cut your apples into slices. (An apple peeler/corer/slicer may come in handy for this part, but you can do it by hand.)
- Place apple slices in a large pot and add 1 cup of water. Cook the apples over medium heat, stirring often, until tender. Mash the apples with a potato masher. If you want an even smoother consistency, puree them in a blender.
At this point you can add a little extra water if you need to, depending on how thick or thin you want your applesauce. I like to reach the consistency of slightly runny pudding.
You can also add sugar at this point, depending on how sweet you want your applesauce. Add a little at a time and taste it until it's how you like.
The applesauce will also sweeten over time, in the jars, so keep that in mind when adding sugar. I use white granulated sugar because brown sugar makes the applesauce dark, but either will work.
Fill your jars with applesauce leaving 1/2'' of headspace. Use a small rubber spatula to scrape down the inside of the jar and remove any air bubbles.
Wipe jar rims clean. Don't skip this step! Place lids and rings securely on the jars.
Process in your water bath canner for 20 minutes (for altitudes less than 1,000 ft). Adjust cooking time for your altitude, if necessary. For more details, follow water bath canning instructions : http://www.simplycanning.com/water-bath-canning.html )
Canned applesauce is good for up to one year when stored in a cool, dark place.
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
Want more canning recipes: Try these!:
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Kayla says
Mine turned brown while cooking them down. Do you know why?
Lauren Allen says
Hi Kayle, that is really strange, and I’m not sure what happened. It must have to do with the kind of apples used.
Dianne Greenaway says
Many apples brown when exposed to air. To counter this, you can add lemon juice to the water. I just made a yummy pot of golden delicious applesauce. I filled my largest kettle to the top with peeled/chopped apples, added the juice of half a lemon, plus water, and sprinkled ground cinnamon and a little ground clove onto the apples and cooked down. Delicious! And the apples stayed a nice, light color.
BUT, I have never canned and now plan to follow your directions for it!