Made with just 3 simple ingredients, this sugar free strawberry applesauce recipe is a healthy twist on a classic snack.

Applesauce Recipe Without Sugar

Warm spice and everything nice.

That is what many applesauce recipes are made of. Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon spice on your applesauce and it adds a hint of warmth and an extra dimension of flavor.

Now I don’t usually eat my applesauce hot. I prefer it to be chilled but I will admit, I can’t deny a bowl of homemade chunky applesauce straight from the stovetop. Imagine this: It’s a cool autumn day, you’re sitting on the couch wrapped in a soft blanket with a bowl of freshly made applesauce. Warm cinnamon and clove with a whisper of nutmeg awakens your tastebuds and warms your belly. Delicious! Now that is fall y’all!

Spiced applesauce has its place. As does the sweet ol’ plain stuff. But what about kicking your traditional applesauce recipe up a notch?

Hello strawberry applesauce!

Homemade strawberry applesauce is a fruity twist on an old favorite. It combines two seasons into one – summer strawberries and crisp, fall apples. And with just 3 simple ingredients and no added sugar or coloring, you can feel good about dishing up a bowl for you and your family.

During the summer months, I stock up on fresh strawberries like they are going out of style. I usually get several quarts from a local farmer due to the fact that the strawberries we have growing on our homestead are very disagreeable – we plant and nourish them hoping for a bountiful crop but they seem to have other plans in mind. I love using the fresh picked berries in strawberry pie or to make a pitcher of strawberry lemonade. But I freeze most of the strawberries I pick to make up a large batch of strawberry applesauce come fall.

Strawberries, apples and a bit of apple juice concentrate is all you need to make this recipe. I prefer to use fuji or gala apples to make this applesauce but if you’d prefer a more tart apple, I’d suggest adding an extra splash of concentrate. Double or triple this recipe if you’d like leftovers … a rare occasion in our household. Applesauce freezes well so go ahead and make up as much as you’d like!

Watch Video Tutorial

How to Make Homemade Strawberry Applesauce

Makes: 8-12 servings

Ingredients

6 heaping cups of frozen strawberries
3.5 lbs chopped apples (8-10 apples) (I like to use fuji or gala)
3/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate
1/4 cup water

Peel, core and chop the apples. Keep in mind, the smaller the apple slices, the quicker they will cook.

Add the berries and sliced apples to a large stockpot. Pour juice concentrate and water over the fruit. Turn burner to medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove lid and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the liquid has reduced slightly and the fruit is very soft.

Using an immersion blender, puree the sauce until smooth. Cool to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator. Serve chilled.

Tips to Successfully Make Strawberry Applesauce

To speed up the apple peeling process, I love using my apple peeler tool. It peels and cores your apples without you having to do it by hand.

If you don’t have any frozen strawberries on hand, try using fresh.

Don’t have an immersion blender? Carefully pour your applesauce into a blender. It’ll work just fine.

If your applesauce appears thin, cook uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the liquid to reduce.

Making applesauce at home is a great budget friendly snack. In our neck of the woods, a small jar of applesauce costs anywhere from $2.29-$3.89. Creating it at home, especially with the ingredients you grew on your homestead is not only healthier but a money saver too.

Applesauce freezes very well! Simple pour into a freezer container such as these food storage cups and enjoy for months.

Yield: 8-10 Servings