Elegant Ina Garten Apple Chutney Recipe

Whip Up Ina Garten’s Cozy Spiced Apple Chutney Recipe Today

Tangy, sweet, and bursting with autumnal flavors, this Ina Garten apple chutney recipe captures the essence of seasonal cooking.

Warm spices dance through a medley of chopped apples, creating a condiment that sings with complexity.

The blend of ingredients transforms simple meals into memorable experiences.

Each spoonful carries the richness of carefully selected produce and thoughtful technique.

Garten’s approach balances sweet and sharp notes, making this chutney a versatile companion to roasted meats, cheeses, and sandwiches.

Robust and elegant, it promises to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Grab your ingredients and let’s dive into this delectable journey of flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 115 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients That Make Ina Garten Apple Chutney Shine

For Fruit Base:
  • Apples: Provide sweet-tangy foundation, choose firm and crisp varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced texture and flavor.
  • Raisins: Add delightful chewy sweetness, golden or dark raisins work perfectly for depth and natural sugar boost.
  • Orange Juice: Delivers bright citrus undertone, fresh-squeezed preferred for vibrant zesty notes.
  • Lime Juice: Introduces sharp, refreshing acidity that balances the overall sweetness.
For Aromatic Enhancers:
  • Onion: Creates savory backbone, use yellow or white onions for classic depth.
  • Ginger: Brings warm, spicy complexity, fresh ginger root provides more intense flavor than dried.
For Seasoning and Spice:
  • Brown Sugar: Offers rich caramel-like sweetness, helps create glossy texture.
  • Mustard Seeds: Contribute subtle nutty and pungent undertones, whole seeds provide delightful subtle crunch.
  • Pepper Flakes: Introduce gentle heat and vibrant color, adjust quantity based on spice preference.
  • Salt: Enhances and harmonizes all flavor profiles, use kosher or sea salt for best result.

Tools for Simmering Apple Chutney with Ease

  • Large saucepan: Essential for cooking and combining all ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring the chutney mixture while it simmers.
  • Measuring cups: Helps ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Measuring spoons: Precise for measuring small amounts of spices and salt.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for chopping ginger and preparing ingredients.
  • Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.
  • Spatula: Helpful for scraping sides of the pan and transferring chutney.
  • Airtight container: Ideal for storing the chutney in the refrigerator.

Cooking Instructions for Apple Chutney by Ina

Cooking Instructions for Apple Chutney by Ina
  • Fresh Apple Mixture

A delightful blend of tangy and sweet ingredients simmering together in a cozy saucepan, creating an aromatic base for your chutney adventure.

  • Cooking Magic

Gently bubbling the ingredients over medium-high heat, letting the flavors dance and meld together while gradually reducing the liquid into a rich, concentrated sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

  • Raisin Finale

After the chutney reaches a thick, jam-like consistency, take the pan off the heat and sprinkle in plump raisins, adding a delightful burst of sweetness and texture.

  • Chilling and Storing

Allow the chutney to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate and enjoy the vibrant flavors for up to two weeks, watching it become even more delicious as the ingredients get to know each other.

Switch Up the Fruit or Spice in Your Chutney

  • Add diced jalapeños for an extra kick of heat that tingles your taste buds.
  • Transfer the chutney to sterilized glass jars for longer preservation and gift-giving potential.
  • Replace mustard seeds with cumin seeds or add ground cardamom for a unique flavor profile that transforms the classic recipe.
  • Pair this versatile chutney with roasted meats, spread on sandwiches, or use as a condiment for cheese platters to elevate your culinary experience.

Pairings That Work with Apple Chutney Best

  • Pair with Creamy Cheese Platters: Spread this zesty apple chutney over a rich brie or creamy goat cheese for a delightful appetizer that balances sweet and tangy flavors.
  • Elevate Grilled Meats: Spoon this chutney alongside roasted pork tenderloin or grilled chicken breasts to add a vibrant, fruity complement that transforms simple proteins into gourmet dishes.
  • Create Gourmet Sandwich Spread: Layer this chutney inside a turkey sandwich or use as a condiment for grilled cheese to introduce a burst of complex, warming spices that wake up traditional lunch favorites.
  • Enhance Holiday Charcuterie Boards: Add small bowls of this homemade chutney to your festive cheese and meat platters, giving guests a delicious, unexpected condiment that sparks conversation and culinary excitement.

How to Store and Reheat Apple Chutney

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store the apple chutney in an airtight glass container for maximum freshness, ensuring no air exposure that could compromise its quality.
  • Maximize Shelf Life: Keep the chutney refrigerated at a consistent temperature between 35-40°F, which helps maintain its vibrant flavors and prevents bacterial growth.
  • Serving Suggestions: Scoop out small portions as needed, using clean utensils to prevent contamination and extend the chutney's overall storage duration.
  • Freezing Option: Transfer the chutney to freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months when you want to enjoy it beyond the two-week refrigeration period.
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Elegant Ina Garten Apple Chutney Recipe

Elegant Ina Garten Apple Chutney Recipe


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4.8 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s apple chutney elevates simple ingredients into a complex, tangy condiment that complements both savory and sweet dishes. Spices and fruit merge beautifully, creating a sophisticated accompaniment perfect for cheese boards, roasted meats, or spreading on warm toast.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored and half-inch diced)
  • 1 cup yellow onion (chopped)
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup light brown sugar (lightly packed)
  • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed, from 2 oranges)
  • ¾ cup cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsps fresh ginger (minced)
  • 1 ½ tsps kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp hot red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp whole dried brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Combine diced apples, ginger, onion, orange juice, lime juice, brown sugar, mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, and salt in a large saucepan, creating a vibrant flavor base.
  2. Initial Cooking: Elevate the pan to medium-high heat, stirring intermittently until the mixture erupts into a vigorous boil, releasing aromatic essences.
  3. Simmering Process: Reduce heat to low, allowing the concoction to gently simmer and slowly transform, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and promote uniform caramelization.
  4. Reduction and Thickening: Continue simmering for approximately one hour, observing the gradual transformation from liquid to a concentrated, jam-like consistency with minimal residual moisture.
  5. Final Touches: Remove from heat and incorporate raisins, ensuring even distribution throughout the chutney, which will add bursts of sweetness and textural complexity.
  6. Cooling and Storage: Allow the chutney to cool completely to room temperature, then transfer to a sanitized, sealed container and refrigerate, where the flavors will harmonize and deepen over the next two weeks.

Notes

  • Adjust Heat Carefully: Monitor the simmering process closely to prevent burning and ensure a perfect jammy texture without scorching the bottom of the pan.
  • Stir Strategically: Occasional stirring prevents ingredients from sticking and promotes even caramelization and flavor development.
  • Check Consistency Wisely: Look for a thick, jam-like texture with minimal liquid remaining, which indicates the chutney is perfectly reduced.
  • Store Smartly: Use a clean, airtight container and refrigerate to maximize flavor melding and extend the chutney’s shelf life up to two weeks.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 115
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 190 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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