How to Can Applesauce for Beginners

Sharing is caring!

This guest post is from Jenny, a healthy, homemade food enthusiast and who loves to teach others how simple it is to preserve food for our families. You can find out more about Jenny below! 

If you are looking for help on how to can applesauce for beginners, this post will get you started off on the right track. Apples are one of those foods that you can do so much with, and applesauce fresh from the jar might be one of my favorite things. Get the steps and tips that you can use to fill your pantry with the best homegrown food ever from your backyard garden.

How to Can Applesauce for Beginners

Canning is not only fun to do, but it also saves money and is infinitely more healthful than buying store-bought processed foods. Now, if you are new to canning food, please don’t worry! It is much easier than you think. And as a busy mom myself, I can help you love it as much as I do.   

3 jars of canned applesauce sitting in front of three apples

One of the biggest benefits of canning is how it makes feeding our kids and families a breeze. You can not only pick the size of the containers, but you can also pick the ingredients being sure to make these recipes not only healthy but delicious as well. 

You can make half-pint jars of fruit cups, applesauce, and whole pitted cherries, often as convenience-sized, healthy snacks the whole family can take to go. Mason jars are free from BPA, recyclable, and canning in small or medium batches can take less than an hour; not the whole afternoon or day the way Grandma did it. 

Choosing cheap produce at its peak, from your favorite farmer’s market or grocery store, means you can eat local year-round at the lowest price point and at peak taste. There is nothing I love more than enjoying a bit of summer freshness in the middle of winter. 

A basket of fresh-picked apples that even beginners can turn into wonderful fresh canned applesauce.

Applesauce is one of my favorite things to can because it is so convenient to send a jar with my kids for their school lunch or even or an after school snack they can enjoy before practice. It is also a fun recipe to dress up with spices making it a favorite for your kids. Worried about sugar? You can make it with zero sugar added and have more control over your family’s food health. 

Click here to subscribe

How to Can Applesauce Supply List

  • Large potUsed for processing jars (AKA canning) or you can use a steam canner (see below for more information).
  • Wire rack or silicone trivet – Placed in the bottom of the large pot to keep jars from moving while being processed.
  • Medium to large heavy-bottomed pot – Used for cooking apples prior to canning. 
  • Jar lifter Used for safely lifting jars from boiling water.
  • Funnel – Used for pouring applesauce into jars reducing spilling.
  • NEW lids – This ensures a good and solid seal on your jars. 
  • RingsIf reusing, be sure they are free from rust, dents, or damage.
  • JarsChoose the size that fits your family. 
  • Food mill – Used to puree your applesauce recipe to the desired consistency. 
  • trusted canning recipe – (try mine below!)

Canning Tip: I use a newly USDA-approved steam canner to can the fastest way possible. Not only are they quicker, ready to can in 5 minutes, as opposed to ready in 30 minutes, but they are smaller making it easier to move and use. 

Tired of feeding processed foods to your family? Get your applesauce canning recipe here.

Homemade Applesauce Steam or Water Bath Canning Recipe 

Ingredients you will need: 

  • 8 cups apples – washed and chopped, stems, cores, and seeds may remain
  • water to cover- at least 8 cups
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

** If desired/for baby food, omit all ingredients but the apples and water. Can using 4-ounce jelly jars.

A bowl of homemade applesauce for a touch of summer even in the winter.

Homemade Applesauce Directions:

Step #1.  Prepare your water bath canning pot or your steam canner. Fill the water bath canning pot with water, add 8 empty half-pints (1 measuring cup total) jars, and bring to a boil OR fill the steam canner to fill line and turn on low with 10-11 pint jars nearby on a towel-covered countertop.

By adding the jars, you ensure you have enough water and sterilize your jars all at the same time. 

Step #2.  Combine apples and water and simmer together in a preserving pan (a heavy-bottomed, wide pan) or stockpot and stir occasionally for 30 minutes or until the apples are very soft. 

Step #3.  Once the apples are very soft puree to the desired consistency. Remove apples from heat and carefully ladle into a food mill. Run apple mixture through the mill into a bowl. Be careful, apples will be very hot. 

If you prefer, you can skip this step by preparing your apples prior to cooking. Simply peel and core removing stems and seeds. Place into your pot and cook as before. Once ready mash with a potato masher.

A dish of homemade applesauce that was canned and preserved. You too can make your own canned applesauce, even if you are a beginner.

Step #4.  Return pureed apples to the pot and return to a boil. Once boiling add the sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon. Cook for 5 minutes. 

Step #5.  Ladle applesauce into jars again being careful. Leave a 1/2 inch headspace. Clean the rims with a cloth to ensure a good seal. Apply lids and rings being sure not to tighten them too much.

Step #6.  Place each jar into the boiling water of your bath canner. Remember these jars will be hot so use your jar lifter. If you are using a steam canner set the jars gently on the rack.

Step #7.  Process jars for 10 minutes PLUS 5 minutes for every 1000 ft above sea level.

Step #8.  Remove from heat using your jar lifter. Set jars carefully on towel covered countertop. Allow jars to cool completely.

Step #9.  Label and store for up to 1 year. 

Yields about 10 cups of applesauce.

A jar of canned applesauce, with a pretty paper top and wrapped with twine, can make a great homemade gift.

This recipe is so simple and a great way to give canning a try. Once you see how easy it is you can preserve just about anything filling your pantry with fresh delicious food for your family. 

You can even give jars away as gifts, something I find many people love to receive especially for the holidays. Add a bit of charm to your jars with these canning labels and create some amazing gifts for the holiday season your friends and family will love to receive. 

To learn more about canning, you can dive into the Free Canning Basics Course here! In the Free Canning Basics Course, I’ll share my best tips for no-frills equipment use and how to can safely with confidence. I walk you through the entire canning process so you can preserve delicious, homemade foods confidently. 

More Food Resources:

Click here to subscribe
Jenny Gomes teaches beginners how to can their own food, like applesauce.

Jenny Gomes blogs about homemade food and crafts at www.thedomesticwildflower.com She’s a mom of 2, and an English teacher, and if she had to can one thing for the rest of her life, it would be tomato sauce. 😍

How to can applesauce: a beginners guide to filling your pantry with homemade goodness.

6 Comments

  1. Anonymous says:

    Very easy recipe to follow. Great instructions. Thank you!

  2. What about adding salt or lemon to jars? I’m very new at this but I like this recipe.
    Thanks in advance

    1. Lemon is optional and can be added if you want. I have not heard of adding salt, so unfortunately I do not have any advice on that part of it.

      Tracy Lynn

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.