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 sweet and sour relish that is perfect to serve with cheeses and cold meat.
Why should I make Date and Apple Chutney?
Date and Apple is a classic chutney combination. The sharpness of the apples is offset by the sweetness of the dried dates and raisins creating a sweet and tangy chutney. It’s a useful recipe to have as it’s a chutney you can make at any time of year. It’s also ideal to dress up with a ribbon to give as a gift.
Why make chutney in my slow cooker?
I make this chutney in my slow cooker for sheer convenience. All the ingredients go into the slow cooker and then you just have to leave it until it is thick and it’s ready to go into the jars.
What ingredients do I need for Slow Cooker Date and Apple Chutney?
You need a combination of fresh and dried fruit, onions, spices, sugar and vinegar. All of these are readily available in supermarkets and you may already have some in your larder and fridge. Here is what you need:
- dried dates
- raisins
- apples
- onions
- cider vinegar
- sugar
- chilli flakes
- ground ginger
- mixed spice
A full list of quantities and cup conversions is located in the recipe card at the bottom of this article.
What kind of dates do I need?
Dates are the fruit of the date palm and you can buy them fresh or dried. I use dried dates in this recipe because the intense sweetness of this luscious fruit works really well in chutney.
If you use whole dried dates then remove the stones and cut them into small pieces. The easiest way to do this is with scissors. However, you can also use ready-chopped dried dates that are sold for baking.
What kind of apples are best for this chutney?
The chutney tastes good made with any kind of apples. I prefer to use sharp apples in this chutney because the sharpness contrasts with the sweet dried fruits. Apples such as Bramley Seedling and Granny Smith are both sharp apples and would work well.
What is in mixed spice?
Mixed Spice is readily available in UK supermarkets and baking suppliers. It is a combination of the following ground spices:
- allspice
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- mace
- cloves
- coriander
- ginger
If you can’t source ready-made mixed spice you can make your own.
How many jars of chutney does this recipe make?
You will make four to five jars of Date and Apple Chutney with this recipe. A lot depends on the size of your jars. If I plan to give some as gifts I often put some in smaller jars than I would for our own larder.
Can I make a larger batch of Slow Cooker Date and Apple Chutney?
I don’t recommend making a larger batch of this chutney in your slow cooker as the timing is likely to change and I have not tested it. If you need more then it is better to make another batch.
How soon can I serve the Date and Apple Chutney?
Most homemade chutney improves after two to three months as the flavours combine. You can eat this chutney immediately, but it will be a little sharp as the vinegar won’t have mellowed. After one month the chutney will have a more balanced flavour and it will improve even more after 3 months.
How should I store the chutney?
Store the jars of chutney in a cool place, preferably out of sunlight. Date and Apple Chutney will keep for up to 12 months unopened. Once you open the jar, store it in the fridge where it will keep for about 3 months.
How do I sterilise the glass jars?
I sterilise my jam jars and metal lids by thoroughly washing and rinsing them. I put them, still wet, upside down onto a baking tray and place them in the oven at 140C/120C Fan (275 F) for 20 minutes before I am ready to pot up the chutney. The jars and the chutney should be hot when you fill them and the lids should be sealed as soon as the jars are filled.
Do I need to water bath the jars of chutney?
I don’t water bath my chutney, jams or jellies. It is not common practice to water bath preserves in the UK. Sterilise your jars correctly and store as recommended and there is no need to water bath this Slow Cooker Date and Apple Chutney.
How should I serve Slow Cooker Date and Apple Chutney?
You can serve Slow Cooker Date and Apple Chutney with all sorts of different meals. As you can see in the picture above, this chutney is the perfect partner for a cheese and charcuterie board. Here are some other serving ideas:
- Serve Date and Apple Chutney with cooked ham or gammon.
- It’s delicious with pork pies and sausage rolls.
- Add a generous spoonful of chutney to beef stew or curry for extra flavour.
- Serve Air Fryer Baked Potatoes with grated cheese and Date and Apple Chutney.
- Spice up Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with some chutney on the side.
Give Date and Apple Chutney as a gift
Slow Cooker Date and Apple Chutney makes a really nice homemade gift. Cut out a circle of paper or fabric and secure it over the lid of the jar with an elastic band. Write a label for the jar and thread it onto a ribbon then tie that around the neck of the jar and you are ready to give your gift.
More Chutney Recipes
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.
Tomato Chilli Jam is a sweet and spicy relish with a medium chilli punch. It is super delicious with cold meats and cheese or add it to sauces and casseroles for an extra kick.
Pineapple Chilli Jam is a sweet and spicy relish with a similar combination of flavours to mango chutney. The pineapple and chillies combine so well with ginger and garlic and an unusual ‘secret’ ingredient. It’s really delicious served with cheese, burgers or cold meats.
Check out my jams, jellies and chutney and relish recipes for more ideas.
PIN FOR LATER
Slow Cooker Date and Apple Chutney
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Sharp knife
- chopping board
- 4 glass jam jars
Ingredients
- 200 g dried dates (1 1/4 cups + 2 tbsp)
- 200 g raisins (1 1/4 cups + 2 tbsp)
- 800 g apples (7 cups) approximately 8
- 350 g onions (4 cups)
- 480 ml cider vinegar (2 cups)
- 200 g light brown sugar (1 cup)
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp dried ground ginger
- 1 tbsp mixed spice
Instructions
- 800 g apples (7 cups), 350 g onions (4 cups)Peel and core the apples and peel and chop the onions. Put them into the slow cooker.
- 200 g dried dates (1 1/4 cups + 2 tbsp)Remove any stones from the dried dates and chop them into pieces. Or use already chopped dates. Put them into the slow cooker.
- 200 g raisins (1 1/4 cups + 2 tbsp), 480 ml cider vinegar (2 cups), 200 g light brown sugar (1 cup), 1 tsp chilli flakes, 1 tbsp dried ground ginger, 1 tbsp mixed spicePut all the remaining ingredients into the slow cooker and mix together.
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours. You should be able to draw a spoon through the chutney and the trail will remain.
- Ladle into sterilised jam jars.
- Serve with cheese and cold meats.
Notes
Nutrition
I have linked this recipe to #CookBlogShare run by Sisley & Chloe which was which was hosted by Jo at The Family Food Kitchen
Chloe says
I’m a really big fan of dates but hadn’t tried a date chutney before so this is a revelation!
Cat says
Love these flavours and how well they go with cheese. An essential for cheese boards!
Rebecca - Glutarama says
I do love a good chutney recipe. Nothing beats a cheeseboard with crackers and chutney and this recipe screams happy holidays to me ready for the festive season. Not had dates in a chutney before so this will be a first for me.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Rebecca. Dates are a great addition to chutney, their natural sweetness works well with the acidity of the apple and vinegar.
Sisley White - Sew White says
Christmas and boxing day wouldn’t be the same without a large bowl of date and apple chutney. It reminded me of childhood and I can’t wait to make it again at Christmas.
Janice Pattie says
I absolutely agree, Sisley. Chutney is essential for festive feasts!
Bill says
Thanks for this recipe, it looks great and I shall certainly be making it for the holiday season.
Mixed spice seems to be no longer available in Canada. A quite acceptable substitute is Pumpkin Pie Spice.
Janice Pattie says
Hi Bill, thanks that’s a great tip and I hope you enjoy the chutney.