Canning Applesauce

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Canning applesauce is the perfect way to preserve a bumper crop of apples.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Canning Time20

Total Time1

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple canning

Servings: servings (3 pints)

Author: Ashley Adamant

Equipment

Ingredients

5 to 7 lbs apples
1/2 cup water or apple juice
Sugar optional, 1/2 to 2 cups
Lemon Juice optional, 1 to 4 Tbsp
Spices optional, 1-2 tsp ground spices total

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Applesauce Recipe for Canning

Peel, core and chop the apples.
Place the prepared apples and water in a heavy bottomed soup pot or dutch oven and cook over medium heat until the apples have cooked through and fallen apart (about 15 to 20 min).
Add sugar, lemon juice and spices to taste (if using).
For a chunky applesauce, mash the apples with a potato masher or stir to break them up. For a smooth applesauce, process the sauce with a stick blender or food mill.

Canning Applesauce

Prepare canning jars and a water bath canner before making the sauce and pre-heat the water to a gentle simmer (about 180 degrees).
Ladle the fresh (still hot) applesauce into prepared canning jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Debubble jars, adjust headspace and seal with 2 part canning lids.
Process the jars in a water bath canner for 15 minutes (pints) and 20 minutes (quarts) if below 1,000 feet in elevation. See notes for canning time adjustments for higher altitudes.

Notes

Yield

You should get roughly 1 cup of finished applesauce for every pound of apples. That'll depend on how efficient you peel them, and how juicy your apples are. In general, you need 5 to 7 pounds to get 6 cups, or three pints.

Spices, Lemon Juice & Sugar - Apples are high in acid and sugar, so they can be safely processed in a water bath canner without adding any special ingredients. No need to add sugar, unless you want to. Acidifiers like citric acid or lemon juice are optional too. They may add extra flavor or zing to your sauce, but they're not required for safe canning.

Altitude Adjustments for Canning Applesauce

For 0 to 1,000 Feet Elevation - 15 min for pints and 20 min for quarts
For 1,001 to 3,000 Feet Elevation - 20 min for pints and 25 min for quarts
For 3,001 to 6,000 Feet - 20 min for pints and 30 min for quarts
Above 6,000 Feet - 25 min for pints and 35 min for quarts

Pressure Canning Applesauce

If you prefer, pressure canning applesauce is also an option (but is not required as water bath canning is sufficient). See specific canning times and pressures within the article for reccomendations.

Nutrition