Easy Apple Pickle

Easy Apple Pickle is a crunchy sweet and sour pickle that is so easy to make as there is no cooking involved.  It’s the perfect accompaniment to cheeses and cold meats and is a long-time favourite in my kitchen. 

Why should I make Easy Apple Pickle?

Easy Apple Pickle is probably the simplest preserve you will ever make. There is no cooking and you can chop everything in your food processor. This super simple pickle is tangy and slightly crunchy, ideal for a Ploughman’s lunch plate or to liven up your packed lunch sandwich.

What ingredients will I need to make Easy Apple Pickle?

The ingredients for this pickle are all readily available and you probably have most of them in your kitchen. You will need:

• Onions
• Apples
• Dates
• Sultanas (golden raisins)
• Soft brown sugar
• Salt
• Cayenne Pepper
• Ready spiced malt vinegar

What kind of onions should I use?

I use standard yellow onions for the Apple Pickle. But you can also use white onions or even red onions.

What kind of apples should I use in Apple Pickle?

Use any apples you have available for the pickle. The apples should be firm and fresh but otherwise, the variety doesn’t seem to make much difference. I have been making Easy Apple Pickle since 2009. And in that time I have made the Apple Pickle with cooking apples and with eating apples, the pickle is always just as delicious whichever type of apple I use.

What can I substitute for sultanas (golden raisins)?

If you don’t have any sultanas then you can use raisins. I don’t recommend that you use currants (Zante currants) as they are too small have a much more intense flavour.

Can I use white sugar for the pickle?

Soft brown sugar is an integral part of the flavour profile of the Apple Pickle. Use either light soft brown sugar or dark muscovado sugar but I don’t recommend white sugar for this recipe.

What is Cayenne Pepper?

Cayenne Pepper is a very hot type of chilli powder. It is eight times spicier than standard chilli powder. If you don’t have any cayenne pepper you can use 1/2 teaspoon of chilli powder.

How hot is Easy Apple Pickle?

Easy Apple Pickle is a mildly spiced pickle so please do check the heat of your chilli powder as there can be differences in the heat levels.

I can’t find ready-spiced malt vinegar, what can I substitute?

Make your own spiced vinegar for pickling. It is better if left overnight before you use it, so get it started the day before you plan to make your pickle.

How many jars will this recipe make?

This recipe makes 6 standard 380 ml (1lb) jars of pickle.

Can I make a larger batch?

Yes, you can double or even triple the ingredients. Just keep the proportions of ingredients the same and you can make as much or as little as you want.

How long can I keep Apple Pickle?

Apple Pickle needs two months to mature or it will taste very strongly of vinegar and not much else. If you have sterilised and sealed your jars properly you can keep the pickle in a cool place for 12 -18 months.

Once you open a jar it is better to it in the fridge and eat it within 3 months.

Vegetarian and Vegan

There are no meat or dairy products in Easy Apple Pickle so it is suitable for both a vegetarian and vegan diet.

Gluten Free

I don’t use any wheat products in this recipe. Please check that the dried fruits you use have not been in contact with wheat products and are suitable and safe for a GF diet.

How do I sterilise the jars?

• Wash and rinse the glass jars and metal lids
• Put the wet glass jars upside down on a baking tray.
• Put the jars on the baking tray into the oven at 150C.
• Leave for 20 minutes until all the water has evaporated.
• Put the lids into a heatproof jug and pour boiling water from the kettle over the lids.
• Drain and leave the lids to dry on clean kitchen paper.
• Carefully remove the jars out of the oven and fill them with the Apple Pickle, then put on the lids.
• When the jars have cooled check that the lids are tight and tighten further if needed.

How do I serve Easy Apple Pickle?

Easy Apple Pickle is a really versatile relish style pickle. There are no large pieces so you can spread it as well as serve it on your plate. Here are some ways that I serve Apple Pickle:

• Serve with cold meat and salad, it will liven up cold ham, chicken or turkey.
• Apple Pickle is delicious served with warm pies like my Scottish Mince Beef Pie made to my grandfather’s recipe.
• Cheese is the natural partner for any pickles and Easy Apple Pickle is no exception. Serve it with a cheeseboard or as part of a Ploughman’s Lunch plattter.
• Liven up your packed lunch sandwich with a spoonful spread over the filling.
• Baked potatoes also benefit from a spoonful of this spicy relish mixed with some cream cheese.

More Chutney and Pickles from Farmersgirl Kitchen

Sweet Cucumber Relish is a sweet, crunchy and pickled relish that is ideal to liven up your sandwiches, burgers, salads and more.

Apricot and Apple Chutney is a sweet chunky chutney packed full of fresh and dried fruit.  It’s easy to make with everyday ingredients and delicious with cheese and cold meats.

Slow Cooker Date and Apple Chutney is the easiest chutney I’ve ever made. All the ingredients go into your slow cooker and the result is a perfect sweet and sour relish that is perfect to serve with cheeses and cold meat.

Green Tomato, Apple & Pepper Chutney is the perfect way to use the last of the tomatoes of the season. Combining green tomatoes with apple and sweet peppers makes a sweet fruity chutney that is ideal as a gift.

More pickles

• Quick Pickled Beet Stems – Veggie Desserts
• Carrot Pickles – Tin & Thyme
• Quick Courgette & Shallot Pickle – Lost in Food

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This recipe was first published in 2009 and updated in 2021.