Ina Garten’s Apple Chutney is a flavorful condiment that combines the natural sweetness of apples with a blend of warm spices, vinegar, and sugar. This versatile chutney pairs beautifully with roasted meats, cheeses, or even as a topping for sandwiches. It’s easy to make and perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your meals.
What is Ina Garten’s Apple Chutney?
Ina Garten Apple Chutney is a sweet-and-savory condiment made with fresh apples, onions, and spices simmered in a tangy-sweet mixture of vinegar and sugar. It has a thick, jam-like consistency with chunks of apples and a burst of flavors from ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, and raisins.

Other Popular Recipes
- Ina Garten Zucchini Basil Soup
- Ina Garten Celery Salad
- Ina Garten Vegetable Pot Pie
- Ina Garten Scallop Gratin
Reasons to Try Ina Garten Apple Chutney
- Perfect pairing: Ideal for serving with roasted meats, poultry, or a cheese platter.
- Burst of flavor: Combines sweet, tangy, and savory notes in one dish.
- Versatile: Can be used as a topping, dip, or spread.
- Easy to make: Requires minimal preparation and cooks in one pot.
- Great for gifting: Makes a thoughtful homemade gift for holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients Needed to Make Ina Garten Apple Chutney
- 4 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions to Prepare Ina Garten Apple Chutney
- Prepare the ingredients: Peel, core, and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onion finely and grate the ginger.
- Combine ingredients in a pot: In a medium saucepan, combine the apples, onion, raisins, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, pepper, and water.
- Bring to a simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Cook until thickened: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chutney should thicken and the apples should soften but retain some texture.
- Cool and store: Remove the chutney from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container or sterilized jar and refrigerate.

What Goes Well With Ina Garten Apple Chutney
- Serve with roasted meats: Complement pork, chicken, or turkey beautifully.
- Pair with cheese: Serve as part of a cheese board with aged cheddar, brie, or goat cheese.
- Use as a sandwich spread: Adds a tangy sweetness to sandwiches or wraps.
- Top with crackers: Spread over crackers for an easy appetizer.
- Serve with curry dishes: Its sweet and spiced flavors enhance the taste of curries.
Key Tips for Making Ina Garten Apple Chutney
- Use firm apples: Choose firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to hold their shape during cooking.
- Adjust sweetness: Add more or less sugar to suit your taste preferences.
- Stir occasionally: Prevent the mixture from sticking to the pot by stirring frequently as it cooks.
- Store in sterilized jars: If planning to keep the chutney for an extended time, sterilize the jars to ensure freshness.
- Let the flavors meld: Allow the chutney to sit for a day before serving for the flavors to deepen.
- Experiment with spices: Add star anise, cardamom, or chili flakes for a unique twist.
Creative Variations of Ina Garten Apple Chutney
- Add dried fruits: Include dried apricots or cranberries for extra sweetness.
- Incorporate nuts: Stir in toasted almonds or walnuts for added texture.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced chili for a spicy kick.
- Try other vinegar: Swap apple cider vinegar with balsamic or red wine vinegar for a different flavor profile.
- Add citrus zest: Grate some orange or lemon zest into the chutney for a citrusy twist.
Storage Guidelines for Ina Garten Apple Chutney
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze for longer storage: Transfer to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.
- Sterilize for preservation: If canning, use sterilized jars and follow proper canning procedures for long-term storage.
Reheating Tips for Ina Garten Apple Chutney
- Serve cold or at room temperature: Chutney is typically served cold or at room temperature and doesn’t require reheating.
- Warm gently if needed: For a warm version, heat the chutney over low heat in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally.
FAQs
Can I use different types of apples for Ina Garten’s Apple Chutney?
Yes, you can use a mix of sweet and tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for a balanced flavor. Avoid very soft apples as they may turn mushy during cooking.
How long does homemade apple chutney last?
Homemade apple chutney can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months or use sterilized jars for canning.
Can I make apple chutney without sugar?
Yes, you can reduce or omit sugar and substitute it with a natural sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or a sugar-free alternative, though this may slightly alter the flavor.
What’s the best way to serve Ina Garten Apple Chutney?
Serve apple chutney as a side with roasted meats, as a topping for cheese boards, spread on sandwiches, or paired with crackers for a quick appetizer.
Wrapping Up
Ina Garten’s Apple Chutney is a flavorful and versatile condiment that adds a touch of sophistication to any dish. Its sweet and tangy notes pair beautifully with a variety of foods, making it a must-have for your culinary repertoire. Easy to prepare and store, this chutney is perfect for entertaining, gifting, or elevating your everyday meals. Give it a try and enjoy a burst of delicious flavor!
Other Ina Garten Recipes
- Ina Garten Banana Cake
- Ina Garten Fresh Peach Cake
- Ina Garten Cranberry Muffins
- Ina Garten Pear Tart
- Ina Garten Avocado Grapefruit Salad
Ina Garten Apple Chutney Recipe
Ina Garten Apple Chutney is a sweet-and-savory condiment made with fresh apples, onions, and spices simmered in a tangy-sweet mixture of vinegar and sugar. It has a thick, jam-like consistency with chunks of apples and a burst of flavors from ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, and raisins.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Peel, core, and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces. Chop the onion finely and grate the ginger.
- Combine ingredients in a pot: In a medium saucepan, combine the apples, onion, raisins, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt, pepper, and water.
- Bring to a simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Cook until thickened: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chutney should thicken and the apples should soften but retain some texture.
- Cool and store: Remove the chutney from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container or sterilized jar and refrigerate.