homemade apple juice

10 canning recipes with apple banner

How to Preserve Apples: 10 Tasty Canning Recipes with Apples

Canning & Preserving

Fall is the season of abundance. Apples in every color, shape, and flavor are ready to pick. In our orchard, we grow many different apple varieties, which means we can enjoy fresh apples from late July well into spring. Luckily, apples are incredibly versatile—you can preserve them in so many ways: canning, drying, juicing, and more. Perfect for filling your pantry with homemade goodies to enjoy all year round!

In this roundup, I’ll share my favorite canning recipes with apples: from crisp jelly and sweet jam to dried apple snacks, fresh juice from a steam juicer, and even ready-to-serve side dishes.

What Kind of Apples Should You Use?

Apples come in all shapes and flavors, and the type you use can make a big difference in your recipes. Sweet apples are perfect for jam or applesauce, while tart varieties work beautifully in jellies. Mixing varieties can give your juice or sauce a more complex taste.

👉 Planning to plant your own apple tree? Go for disease-resistant varieties—they’ll reward you with a healthier harvest.

Want quick results? Choose a dwarf or semi-dwarf tree—you’ll be picking fruit in just a few years. Standard-size trees take longer (up to 10 years), but once they produce, you’ll harvest dozens of pounds (kilos) from just one tree.

Whether you pick them from your own backyard, buy them from a local orchard, or grab some at the farmers’ market, there’s always a way to put apples to good use.

To peel or No Peel?

Peeling apples can feel like a big job—especially when you’re processing 20+ pounds (10 kilos) at once. For some recipes it’s necessary, but sometimes you can leave the peel on.

Using a hand-crank apple peeler makes the work so much easier, and kids usually enjoy giving a hand! If you peel apples regularly, this little tool is a true time-saver.

Don’t toss those peels and cores! Use them to make homemade apple cider vinegar. Just place them in a jar, cover with water, keep everything submerged, and stir daily. After a few weeks, you’ll see the vinegar mother form, and with a little patience, you’ll have your own natural vinegar.

Een appelschiller maakt het werk lichter

Apple Jam & Jelly

Apples are naturally high in pectin, which makes them ideal for jam and jelly. For jam, you often don’t even need extra pectin—just cook the apples until the mixture thickens. Apple jelly is another favorite, especially if you want to use up small or windfall apples.

Apple Jelly – A Classic

Bright, sweet-tart, and beautifully clear, apple jelly is delicious on soft cheeses like brie, spread on bread with butter, or brushed as a glaze over pastries.

👉 Get the recipe for apple jelly

Apple Cranberry Jam – A Taste of Fall

This jam combines sweet apples with whole cranberries for a festive, textured spread. It’s perfect alongside roasted meats in the fall and winter, or on a holiday cheese board.

👉 Get the recipe for apple cranberry jam

Drying Apples

Drying is one of the easiest ways to preserve apples. They turn into a healthy, portable snack with very little effort.

Simple Dried Apples

Just apples—nothing more. You can dry them with or without the peel, and they taste amazing either way. Perfect for snacking, road trips, or tossing into granola.

👉 Learn how to dehydrate apples at home

Dried Apples with Honey & Cinnamon

A sweeter twist on classic dried apples. Brush apple slices with a honey-cinnamon mixture before drying, and you’ll end up with a treat that tastes almost like candy—but it’s all natural. Kids love them!

👉 Get the recipe for dried apples with honey and cinnamon

gedroogde appel
Dehydrated apples
Een groene en rode appel naast een kom met appelgelei en een lepel op een houten oppervlak.
Apple jelly
Gedroogde stukjes appel
Dried apples with honey & cinnamon

Juice & Jelly with a Steam Juicer

If you have lots of apples, a steam juicer is a lifesaver. It lets you process big batches at once, giving you fresh apple juice and apple pulp you can use for sauce. It’s especially handy for small or windfall apples—no need to peel or core them. Just cut into chunks, load them into the juicer, and let the steam do the work.

Apple Juice (from a Steam Juicer)

Whether you use tart apples, sweet varieties, or a mix, homemade apple juice always tastes better than store-bought. Try flavoring it with a little ginger, mint, or cinnamon. In winter, we love warming it up with spices for a cozy drink.

👉 Get the recipe for homemade apple juice

Apple Elderflower Jelly – A Summer Twist

Turn your homemade apple juice into a fragrant, floral jelly with elderflowers. It captures the essence of summer in a jar—perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself.

👉 Get the recipe for apple elderflower jelly

Apple as a Side Dish

Apples aren’t just for sweets—they’re amazing in savory recipes too. Think roast chicken with applesauce, or pork chops with apple jelly. Homemade applesauce in particular is a pantry staple.

Homemade Applesauce

Applesauce belongs in every pantry. It’s delicious with meatballs, roast pork, or just as a simple snack. Make a big batch and can it in jars—you’ll be thankful to have it ready on busy days.

👉 Get the recipe for applesauce

Twee glazen met zelfgemaakt appelsap, stevig afgesloten, staan op een donkere ondergrond naast een stoomextractor.
Apple Juice
Drie glazen potten met zelfgemaakte appelgelei staan op elkaar gestapeld, naast enkele verse appels en een takje vlierbloesem op een houten achtergrond.
Elderflower apple jelly
appelmoes inmaken recept
Applesauce

Other Apple Preserves

Apples pair beautifully with other fruits and even vegetables. These recipes not only help you use up apples, but also bring variety to your pantry.

Red Cabbage with Apple & Cranberries

This classic comfort food combines sweet cabbage with tart apples and cranberries. Can it in jars, and you’ll have a ready-to-serve side dish for cozy winter dinners.

👉 Get the recipe for red cabbage with apple and cranberries

Canned Apple Cake

Yes, you can even can cake! Apple cake stays moist and flavorful after canning, making it a fun dessert to keep in your pantry. Perfect for unexpected guests or a quick treat with coffee.

👉 Learn how to make canned apple cake

Conclusion

Apples are one of the most versatile fruits to preserve. From jams and jellies to juice, dried snacks, and savory side dishes, there’s no end to the delicious recipes you can make. By canning, drying, or juicing, you’ll enjoy the flavors of fall all year long.

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canned apple juice

Homemade Apple Juice with a Steam Juicer | Easy Recipe & Canning Tips

Canning & Preserving

As soon as the first apples start dropping from the trees, I know exactly what to do: I pull out my steam juicer! With this simple tool, you can turn a big pile of less-than-perfect apples into delicious homemade apple juice in no time. It’s not only a great way to use apples you wouldn’t eat fresh, but the juice is also wonderfully tasty – served warm or cold.

In this post, I’ll share how to make apple juice with a steam juicer, which apples (and other fruits) work best, and how to store your juice for months to come.

From Waste to Treat

Windfall apples or those with bird pecks and insect bites often end up on the compost pile. That’s fine for the critters, but it’s a shame to waste them when you can still make something delicious: juice, jelly, or applesauce. Just cut away the bad spots and process the rest. Peels and scraps can still go on the compost afterward – so the insects get their share too, but only after you’ve made something tasty for your pantry.

More ideas and links to apple recipes can be found at the end of this post.

What Is a Steam Juicer?

A steam juicer (sometimes called a fruit steamer) is a three-part pot:

  • The bottom holds water.
  • The middle collects juice.
  • The top has a colander for the fruit.

When the water boils, steam rises and softens the fruit. The juice drips down into the middle container and can be drained off through a hose. It’s efficient, mess-free, and perfect for larger harvests.

The juice made this way is often called apple concentrate in the U.S. It tastes a bit different than pressed juice, but it’s just as delicious – and perfect for drinking warm in fall and winter.

Which Apples Work Best?

Short answer: all apples! But some are better than others depending on the flavor you want. Personally, I use mostly windfall apples, mealy ones, or those with small blemishes from birds or insects. As long as you cut away the rotten spots, they’re still great for juicing.

Tip: Mix apple varieties for a richer flavor. Combine sweet apples with a few tart or slightly underripe ones for a well-balanced juice.

Flavor Variations with Other Fruits

Apple juice is wonderful on its own, but you can easily create fun blends:

  • Apple-Cherry Juice: Use about 20% cherries (a little less if sour cherries, or add extra sugar).
  • Apple-Pear Juice: Replace about 25% of the apples with ripe pears.
  • Apple-Berry Juice: Add 10% red or black currants for a fresh, tart kick – you may want a little sugar here.
  • Raspberries or plums also pair beautifully with apples.

Warm Winter Apple Drink with Spices

Apple concentrate isn’t just a thirst-quencher – it’s also the perfect base for a cozy winter drink:

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon or ginger per quart (liter) of juice
  • 1 star anise for a spiced touch
  • Optional: a slice of orange or a few cloves

Perfect to enjoy after a chilly fall walk!

Recipe: Homemade Apple Juice with a Steam Juicer

Ingredients (for 3–4 liters / 3–4 quarts of juice)

  • 4 kilos (about 9 lbs) apples
  • 2 liters (about 8 ½ cups) water
  • Sugar to taste (up to ¼ cup per quart / 50 g per liter)

Equipment

  • Steam juicer
  • Sterilized bottles or jars
  • Optional: colander and cheesecloth if you don’t own a steam juicer

Instructions

1. Prepare the juicer
Fill the bottom part of the steam juicer with water. Assemble the pot as directed in the manual. Make sure the hose clamp is tightly closed.

2. Prep the apples
Cut away rotten spots and chop the apples into chunks. No need to peel. Place the apple pieces in the top colander section.

3. Heat
Set the steam juicer over medium heat. Once the water boils, steam will rise and juice will begin to flow. Keep the lid tightly on.

4. Steam
Let the juicer work for about 1 ½ hours. Check occasionally that the water hasn’t evaporated. The juice collects in the middle pan. If it fills up before the steaming is done, you can start bottling early.

5. Sterilize bottles
Sterilize bottles in the oven, or water-bath can them after filling. If storing short-term, refrigeration is fine.

6. Sweeten and bottle
Taste the juice and add sugar if desired – up to ¼ cup per quart (50 g per liter), depending on your apples. Drain juice into bottles, seal well, and store.

Een ontsapper met gesneden appels in het vergietgedeelte, klaar om sap te maken.
Appels in the steam juicer
Appelsap met de ontsapper bottelen
Bottling apple juice
Zelf appelsap maken met de ontsapper
Apple juice

Tip: How to Store Apple Juice Longer

If you haven’t used sterilized bottles, I recommend canning the juice after bottling to keep it shelf-stable. You can read more about this in my post on canning juices and syrups.

No Waste – Use the Apple Pulp

The steamed apple pulp is often discarded, but you can still turn it into a tasty applesauce. If you want to use the pulp, peel and core the apples before steaming. Got more applesauce than you can eat right away? Preserve it by canning. Read more about it in my post about canning apple sauce.

Making apple juice with a steam juicer is one of my favorite ways to get the most out of an apple harvest. Especially windfall apples or those with blemishes are still perfectly usable. And honestly – is there anything cozier than a steaming glass of homemade apple concentrate on a chilly day?

More Recipes for Using Imperfect Apples

Close-up of a green apple and red apples with a small bowl of apple sauce and a spoon containing a dollop of apple jelly on a wooden surface.
Apple Jelly
appelmoes inmaken recept
Homemade Applessauce
Apple Jam with Cranberries

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A collection of red and yellow apples on a table, with two glass bottles filled with apple juice in the background, highlighting homemade apple juice preparation.

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