This sweet-tart applesauce recipe features fresh citrus, brown sugar, and a sprinkling of cinnamon.

It’s also a versatile recipe add-in for an array of dishes, both savory and sweet.

Cinnamon speckled throughout adds overall warmth.

Southern Living Homemade Applesauce in the pot to serve

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

The result is pure applesauce perfection.

In fact, it’s so easy, you may never buy store-bought applesauce again.

How Long Will Homemade Applesauce Last?

Southern Living Homemade Applesauce ingredients

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Transfer any remaining applesauce to an airtight container, and refrigerate it for up to seven days.

How To Use Homemade Applesauce

Serve applesauce withgrilled pork chops.

Or use applesauce leftovers in a vegan apple cake or olive oil cake as a binder.

Southern Living Homemade Applesauce in bowls to serve

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

TheseApplesauce Muffinswould make a great breakfast option.

It only calls for a 1/2 cup of applesauce.

What Are the Best Apples to Turn Into Applesauce?

Southern Living Homemade Applesauce combining the ingredients in the pot to cook

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This recipe calls for Golden Delicious, as well as Honeycrisp apples.

Golden Delicious is soft, so it cooks down easily and provides an ideal foundation.

Honeycrisp adds additional sweetness.

Southern Living Homemade Applesauce simmering until the apples are soft

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Golden Delicious, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Fuji are great options to add sweetness.

Pinklady, Granny Smith, and McIntosh add tartness and tang.

Texture is an important consideration as well when choosing apple varieties for applesauce.

Southern Living Homemade Applesauce removing the lemon peel from the apples

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Golden Deliciousapples, peeled, cored, and cut into 8 wedges (about 5 cups)

1 1/2lb.

)lemon peel stripsplus1Tbsp.

Boil apples:

Bring mixture in Dutch oven to a boil over high.

Southern Living Homemade Applesauce blending the applesauce

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Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until apples are tender, about 20 minutes.

Remove lemon peel:

Remove and discard lemon peel.

Place a clean towel over opening; process until a thick puree forms, about 1 minute.)

Southern Living Homemade Applesauce transferring the applesauce to a container

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Cool 30 minutes before serving, or serve immediately.