This easy apple chutney recipe is lightly spiced with a perfect sweet and tart balance, and the flavor of apple really shines!
When apple season is upon us, I love eating them out-of-hand.
There’s nothing better than biting into an apple that’s sweet with a slight tart flavor, full of apple aroma, and crisp-textured.
But I also love playing around with various apple recipes!
Apples are always delicious in sweet treats like apple hand pies, muffins, and cakes.
And apple is also great in savory recipes, like chicken breakfast sausage and chicken skillet dinner with cabbage and cranberries.
Lying somewhere in the middle of sweet and savory is apple chutney!
What is Chutney?
Chutney is a condiment from India that's also popular in England. It’s typically made from fruit or vegetables and contains both sugar and vinegar for a balanced sweet, tart flavor. Herbs or spices are often added to chutney for flavor.
Chutney can be slow-cooked like jam or quick-cooked like relish. Depending on whether it's slow or quick-cooked will determine if the chutney is chunky or smooth like apple sauce.
This apple chutney is a balanced sweet and tart condiment that has a texture similar to relish. If you want more of a chutney sauce, add an extra 2 tablespoons of water, cook the apples an extra 5 minutes, and then mash the cooked apple mixture with a potato masher.
This recipe is so easy to make, and takes just 15 minutes. You don't even have to peel the apples before chopping them!
Easy Apple Chutney Recipe
This apple chutney recipe has a balanced flavor profile and a variety of soft and crunchy textures.
It has a sweet tart flavor with notes of caramel from brown sugar.
It’s laced with a touch of cinnamon, and a hint of vanilla adds depth.
A pinch of salt and a little splash of apple cider vinegar balance out the flavor.
Last but not least, walnuts add nutty crunch and golden raisins add soft chewy bursts of sweetness.
Apple Chutney Ingredients
In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas. For the full recipe (including ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.
- Apples - I used Gala apples, but Honeycrisp and Fuji also work well; you can use any type of sweet/tart apples you like
- Brown sugar - or coconut sugar to keep this paleo
- Water - just a splash
- Apple cider vinegar - to help create a balanced sweet/tart flavor profile
- Golden raisins - or diced dried apricots
- Walnuts - or chopped pecans
- Cinnamon - for a touch of warm spice; to enhance it even more, feel free to add a pinch of ground nutmeg too
- Vanilla extract - for depth of flavor and aroma
- Salt - to enhance the flavor of everything
Pro Tip: Kick Up the Flavor with Ginger
Add up to 2 tablespoons of freshly-grated ginger for a zippier chutney.
How to Make Chutney With Apples
- Add all ingredients to a small-medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook (covered) until the apple is fork-tender, but not mushy, about 8 minutes.
- Cool.
What is the Best Apple For Chutney?
Any type of sweet/tart apple will work well. I used Gala apples here, but Honeycrisp or Fuji are also good choices.
If you want your chutney to have a chunky texture, choose an apple that's firmer and stands up to cooking well. On the other hand, if you want smooth chutney sauce, use an apple that is good for applesauce.
What do You Use Apple Chutney For?
Because this fruit-based condiment is both sweet and savory, you can use it in a lot of different ways:
- Serve it with roast chicken or sausage.
- Add it to a cheese platter; it’s particularly good with white cheddar or brie!
- Use it as a topping for yogurt.
- Add it to a turkey sandwich or a grilled cheese sandwich.
How Long Does Homemade Apple Chutney Last?
Once cooled to room temperature, you can store this chutney covered in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
More Apple Recipes to Make
- Apple Slab Pie with Nutty Oat Crumble Topping
- How to Make Applesauce
- Lazy Pierogi Casserole with Sauerkraut and Apple
- Curried Coconut Carrot Apple Soup
- Apple Walnut Rainbow Swiss Chard Salad
Let's Connect
Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.
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Apple Chutney Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 small sweet/tart apples about 1 ¾ cups diced; I used Gala apples
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons golden raisins
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract optional
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small-medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook (covered) until the apple is fork-tender, but not mushy, about 8 minutes.
- Cool.
Faith's Tips
- Storage: Store covered in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- For More Depth of Flavor: Add 1 pinch of ground nutmeg.
- Pack a Punch of Flavor: Add up to 2 tablespoons of freshly-grated ginger for a zippier chutney.
- Temperature to Serve Chutney: You can serve this apple chutney hot or cold.
- For a Smoother Chutney with a Texture More Similar to Applesauce: Add an extra 2 tablespoons of water, cook the apples an extra 5 minutes, and then mash the cooked apple mixture with a potato masher.
Nutrition
Sylvie Boileau says
I used Macintosh apples (that's what I had at home) and changed the walnuts for pumpkin seeds (my daughter can't have walnuts) and this was excellent. Will definitely do it again, so easy to make. It has a nice sweet taste.
Thanks for the recipe.
Marlena says
I made it today! I have a question though; is it meant to be more chunky, rather than like a sauce (if you know what I mean)? It's just that I always imagined chutney to be like jam, but mine turned out more like a fruit salad with a sugary glaze. Either way, it's delicious!
Faith says
Marlena, I'm so happy you enjoyed it! There are different types of chutney, and some are similar to jam. This one is meant to be chunky like in the pictures. :)
Margaret says
Delicious! Went great with a sharp white cheddar cheese on whole wheat crackers!
Roger says
Excellent photographs step-by-step. Could hardly be easier to make.