Apple Salsa

This sweet and spicy chunky salsa has plenty of fall flavor that makes the perfect combo for your tortilla chips. Apple Salsa is easy to make and so irresistible you won’t be able to stop dipping your chips into it.

I first stumbled across apple salsa at the Carolina Cider Company on the way back from a vacation in Beaufort. It was just before fall and sounded like the perfect transitional snack to go from sweltering summer to fall.

Unsure of what to expect I was absolutely blown away by the delicious flavor of the tomato apple salsa mix and set about figuring out how to make my own immediately. Usually, as I’m gearing up for fall I start to think of appetizers such as the classic Cheese Ball, but now salsa will be a regular.

So instead of always leaning toward making sweet apple recipes like Apple Cinnamon Muffins, I’m going to start with the savory ones. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or a fall tailgating party be sure to include a bowl of this apple salsa.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It has a unique flavor. There’s a sweet and savory flavor combination with a hint of spice. Similar to a peach salsa this version has a unique fall flavor.
• Making this apple salsa recipe is easy. If you choose to use canned tomatoes they can be made quickly and tastes equally fresh with all the other delicious ingredients. It can also be served however you would serve traditional salsa.
• You can double the recipe and use it for homemade gifts or for canning. This recipe for apple salsa yields about 2.5-pint jars, which you can keep for yourself or give as a gift. You can also follow canning guidelines and have some on hand for later.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredient Notes

• Tomatoes: You have options when it comes to tomatoes. You can use canned peeled whole tomatoes or you can use fresh Roma tomatoes and blanch and peel them yourself. The fresh will always taste best but I prefer to use the canned version. The taste difference is minimal.
• Onion: this salsa is versatile in that you can really choose your produce. Both yellow and red onions will work. The yellow onions will have a sweeter flavor than the red, which compliments the apples. If you’d like a less sweet salsa as well as more color go with these.
• Apples: for a full list of which apples are best see below. You’ll want a crisp version and some are better than others, especially if you plan on canning it.
• Jalapeños: You can make this salsa as spicy or mild as you like. The recipe calls for 2 jalapeños but you can omit them entirely or seed them for less kick. Conversely, you can add more jalapeños.
• Sugar: You will need both granulated sugar and brown sugar. The sugars offset the spice. The brown sugar itself brings a fall-earthy flavor. You can also swap the sugar for honey or maple syrup.
• Pickling Spices: These add a key salsa and fall flavor to the overall mixture. You’ll place them in a sachet so the flavors are simmered into the mixture and then discard it when it’s done cooking.

How to Make Apple Salsa

Preparing this apple salsa recipe is only a two-step process of just prepping your produce and boiling then simmering it in a large pot. Lastly, you blend it to your liking. It’s that easy!

Which Apples to Use

If you’d like a sweet apple salsa choose sweeter apples, but if you’d like something a little more traditional choose tart apples such as Granny Smith.

• Granny Smith
• Fuji
• Braeburn
• Honey Crisp
• Jonathan 
• Pink Lady

Storage Information

I prefer to make this salsa in smaller batches and store it in jars in the fridge. It will last for 7 to 10 days in the fridge. You can also follow the protocol for canning salsa and get a longer shelf life. If you choose to go the canning route then I recommend doubling the batch so you end up with much more.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Drain the tomato sauce from the whole peeled tomatoes, but don’t discard. Use the sauce later to thin the salsa to your desired consistency.
• Use an immersion blender to smooth the salsa out or leave it as chunky as you like. Make it however you typically like your salsa.
• Turn this salsa into a holiday appetizer by pouring it over cream cheese and serving it with crackers.
• Pour it into pretty jars and tie some fabric and twine around the top and use it as an edible homemade gift for the holidays.
• Cilantro. Some like it some don’t but adding some freshly chopped cilantro adds flavor. If you like it then add it!

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