20-Minute Apple Chutney
A quick and versatile apple chutney with tender apples, warm spices, and balanced sweetness that's perfect for holiday meals and beyond. Customizable for vegan, low-sugar, or extra-spicy preferences.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan,
Ingredients
Apple Mixture
- 4 cups peeled, diced apples Granny Smith + Honeycrisp mix recommended
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion or shallot
- 1/2 cup raisins or golden raisins substitutes: dried cranberries or chopped dates
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar substitutes: coconut sugar or 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar substitute white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger or 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp mustard seeds optional; substitute 1/2 tsp Dijon
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves or allspice
- 1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes optional, to taste
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 lemon zest and juice zest and juice of 1/2 lemon, optional
Instructions
- Peel and dice apples into small cubes (~1/2 inch). Finely chop onion and mince garlic.
- Toast mustard seeds in medium saucepan over medium heat for 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add onion and splash of water or oil. Cook 2-3 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and ginger, cook 30 seconds.
- Add apples, raisins, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, red pepper flakes, salt, and lemon zest/juice (if using).
- Bring mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 12-18 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes until apples are tender but not mushy and the liquid is syrupy.
- For chunkier chutney, stop here. For jammy texture, simmer 3-5 minutes longer and mash a few apple cubes with back of spoon.
- Taste and adjust with extra vinegar, sugar, or salt as needed.
- Remove from heat, let cool 10-15 minutes to thicken further.
- Transfer to clean glass jar and refrigerate once cooled to room temperature.
- Serve warm or chilled with holiday mains and sides. Best flavor after 1 day ahead.
Notes
This chutney is naturally vegan and gluten-free. Customize sweetness and heat to your liking. Great for gifts when doubled and jarred with pairing notes.