Applesauce has so many applications in the kitchen. It pairs perfectly with roasts, sausages, and other meat dishes. This sauce is also an excellent fat substitute in vegan-friendly baking.
Depending on your liking, you can make it plain, sweetened, spiced, smooth, or chunky. There’s always room for your creativity.
Although the cooking itself is relatively easy, preparation is time-consuming. So, you want to ensure to preserve the end product the right way for as long as possible.
Luckily, applesauce freezes wonderfully. Keep reading to learn the tips to freeze and handle applesauce properly to keep its quality and safety.
How To Freeze Homemade Applesauce
Homemade applesauce is an excellent way to use up your bountiful harvest. You can refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 2 to 3 weeks for short-term storage.
If you make a large amount and plan to preserve it for months, canning or freezing is the best method.
Canning makes the sauce shelf-stable. But, it is laborious and requires a rigorous process to ensure safety.
Meanwhile, freezing is much and straightforward. Plus, it takes only a few minutes from packing to freezing. Follow our step-by-step instructions to freezing homemade applesauce. (*)
1. Cook applesauce as usual according to your favorite recipe. You can make it smooth, chunky, plain, sweetened, or seasoned—anything to your liking.
2. Allow the sauce to cool completely. To speed up the cooling, you can soak the pot in a sink of ice cold water. Change the water frequently once it warms up. Stir the sauce while it is cooling.
3. Portion the sauce and pack it into a freezer-safe container, a freezer bag, or mason jars.
4. Leave adequate headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
5. If using a freezer bag, flatten out and suck out as much air as possible from the bag.
6. Seal tightly and mark with the freezing date and the amount (if necessary).
7. Stash the package into the freezer.
How To Freeze Applesauce For Baby Food
Applesauce is an excellent option for babies’ first food. It is healthy, rich in fiber, and easy to pair with other baby food.
You can make a ton of it and freeze it, so your baby can enjoy this nutritious food over weeks. Here is how you can do it.
- 1. Cook applesauce that is suitable for babies. Don’t add additional sugar. For younger babies, you can make it smoother. While the chunkier texture is ideal for older babies.
- 2. Allow it to cool quickly.
- 3. Scoop the sauce and place it in ice cube trays.
- 4. Flash freeze until firm.
- 5. Pack frozen sauce cubes in a freezer-safe bag.
- 6. Seal it tightly and mark it with the freezing date.
- 7. Freeze up to 3 months.
Unsweetened applesauce is also a great substitute for fat and oil in baking.
How To Thaw Frozen Applesauce
To defrost, simply place the frozen package in the refrigerator. Let the sauce thaw completely before serving. Partially thawed applesauce tastes like a slushy.
If you have any leftovers, always keep them refrigerated in an airtight container.
How Long Can You Freeze Applesauce?
Use applesauce within 8 to 10 months after freezing while it is still in its peak quality. It is possible to stretch the storage time up to a year, but the flavor may begin to diminish.
FAQs
Homemade applesauce typically lasts up to 2 to 3 weeks if properly refrigerated. The shelf life is extended up to 8 to 12 months when adequately frozen or canned in sterilized glass jars.
Water separation in applesauce is totally normal, nothing to worry about. It is likely to happen when the sauce is too thin and thus contains plenty of water. To fix this issue, simply stir it vigorously to reach the right consistency back.
Yes and no. Homemade applesauce requires refrigeration to maintain safety and quality. Commercially-prepared one can be kept in the pantry as long as it is unopened. After opening, it needs to stay in the fridge.
To determine if the sauce has spoiled, examine the product carefully and look for irregularities, such as off-smell, discoloration, and molds growth. Discard canned applesauce if the can is damaged. For safety reasons, don’t use the product, although it looks fine.
According to the USDA, botulism is a potential risk in canned goods, particularly home-canned ones. The toxin is tasteless and odorless. To avoid the risk, scrutinize the product and don’t use the food if it looks suspicious and the can is damaged in any way (bulging, dented, leaked, etc.)
Summary
Applesauce is a kitchen staple in many households. If you make it in a big batch, freezing is an easy way to preserve this flavorful sauce for up to 8 to 10 months.
Prepare the sauce according to your liking, cool completely, and pack into a freezer-safe container. Just like that, easy peasy!
When it’s time to eat, place it in the refrigerator and let it thaw completely before serving.
Now that you know how quick and easy it is to freeze applesauce, don’t hesitate to make it while the apples are in season and freshest, and enjoy any time of the year!
Also check our guides on how to tell if applesauce is bad and substitute for applesauce.
*image by sanddebeautheil/depositphotos
