German-inspired Apple Sauce (Apfelmus!)
Servings: 6
Calories: 109kcal
German-inspired Apple Sauce (Apfelmus!) is a quick, cosy homemade apple sauce that feels gently savoury and perfectly balanced – sweet enough to complement pork, but brightened with apple cider vinegar and a hint of clove for that traditional German apfelmus flavour. Made in one pot in under 20 minutes, it’s the perfect side for pork belly, roast pork, schnitzel, ham or roast chicken, and it freezes beautifully so it’s ideal for entertaining or Christmas prep.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook – To a small pot over low heat, add the apples, apple juice or water, apple cider vinegar, sugar, cloves and salt.
- Cover and simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and starting to collapse.
- Mash – Remove the cloves and mash or blend the mixture. Mash for rustic texture, blend for traditional smooth German-style apfelmus.
- Finish with butter and serve – Stir through the butter and add extra salt if desired, to taste. Serve warm or cold.
Notes
Note 1 – I find the easiest way of preparing the apple is not to bother coring it, but simply to cut the cheeks off, then dice them.
Note 2 – I highly recommend using good-quality natural or cloudy apple juice as it adds a more intense flavour and sweetness. However, I’ve made this plenty of times with water and it’s equally delicious – just MORE delicious with apple juice!
Note 3 – Cloves add a warm, subtle spice note that makes the sauce taste more complex. If you don’t like cloves, omit or replace them with a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon.
Fridge – Make it up to 3 days ahead, let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will thicken slightly as it chills – just give it a good stir before serving or add a tiny splash of water to loosen it if needed. You can serve it cold, room temperature or gently warmed on the stovetop or in the microwave. Freezer – For entertaining (especially Christmas or other Holidays), you can also freeze it. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and stir well before serving.
Make Ahead
Apple sauce is one of the easiest sides to prepare in advance.Fridge – Make it up to 3 days ahead, let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will thicken slightly as it chills – just give it a good stir before serving or add a tiny splash of water to loosen it if needed. You can serve it cold, room temperature or gently warmed on the stovetop or in the microwave. Freezer – For entertaining (especially Christmas or other Holidays), you can also freeze it. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and stir well before serving.
Leftovers
See the Make Ahead instructions above. Bonus: Leftover apple sauce is delicious stirred through porridge, spooned over yoghurt, or used as a snack with crackers and cheese.Nutrition Facts
German-inspired Apple Sauce (Apfelmus!)
Amount per Serving
Calories
109
% Daily Value*
Fat
3
g
5
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
1
g
Cholesterol
7
mg
2
%
Sodium
72
mg
3
%
Potassium
148
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
22
g
7
%
Fiber
3
g
13
%
Sugar
18
g
20
%
Protein
0.4
g
1
%
Vitamin A
145
IU
3
%
Vitamin C
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
10
mg
1
%
Iron
0.2
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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