Slow Cooker Strawberry Applesauce

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This slow cooker strawberry applesauce combines sweet strawberries with tart green apples and two other pantry staples. It’s the perfect homemade applesauce to keep on hand and use for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a quick snack. Your family will absolutely love this, especially if you have kids.

You can make regular applesauce, or apple butter in your slow cooker too! The possibilities are endless.

cooked strawberry applesauce with whisk in it.

Why this recipe works

Strawberries are typically one of those fruits that either get used up or end up going bad. Instead of having to toss them out, use them to make some of this delicious apple strawberry sauce.

If you have babies or toddlers, this is also a tasty and nutritious treat they can have. In addition, strawberry applesauce can replace your ordinary preserves or jelly. With low prep time and cooking ease, this is a recipe you’ll want to make a big batch of!

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for strawberry applesauce on table.

Strawberries: Storebought or farm-fresh-picked strawberries both work for this recipe.
Apples: Green apples give the applesauce a slight tart flavor.
Sugar: Helps add sweetness to the overall taste.
Apple Juice: Provides a bit more apple flavor.

Step-by-Step Directions

collage on how to add ingredients to slow cooker for strawberry applesauce.

Step One – Peel, core, and slice 7 apples (about 4 pounds). There is no need to be exact on the amounts in this recipe, always turns out great. Add the apples to the slow cooker.

Step Two – Add one pound of stemmed strawberries to the slow cooker.

Step Three – Pour over a 1/2 cup of apple juice or water. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or low for 8 hours.

Step Four – After the cooking time is done, stir the apples and strawberries with a whisk until a sauce forms. Alternatively, you can blend up the applesauce in your blender or food processor.

Step Five – Serve and enjoy!

How to serve?

Yogurt Topping: When dressing your yogurt, add a spoonful (or two) of this strawberry apple sauce along with granola and a few slices of fresh fruit.
Oatmeal: Give your bowl of oatmeal an instant perk of flavor by adding this delicious applesauce to it. Simply add a few dollops and give your oatmeal a stir and enjoy!
Lunch Side: Add this applesauce to your lunch as a healthy side.
Quick Dessert: This makes for a quick and easy dessert, especially when the sweet tooth hits. Top your ice cream with a heaping spoonful of this applesauce (warm or cold).
Toast – Hands down the BEST way to eat apple sauce. Lightly toast your bread, slather with butter, then top with cold strawberry applesauce! Great for when you’re not feeling well.

How to store:

Place the strawberry applesauce into an airtight container. Consider using multiple small containers for the best storage. Glass jars or Tupperware works great. Place in the fridge for up to a week.
If you want to freeze, leave at room at the top of the jars for expansion, about an inch.
Freeze for up to three months. Any longer may affect the taste.
To thaw, place in the fridge the day before you would like to use it.
This is not a canning recipe; canning takes special precautions and exact measurements.

Variations

You make using a different type of fruit if desired. Use two cups of fruit along with the apples for a different variation.

Peaches or Nectarines
Blueberries
Raspberries or Blackberries
Pears

strawberry applesauce in strawberry applesauce jar

Recipe FAQs

Should I add cinnamon?

I would not add cinnamon to this, it will cover up the strawberry flavor and affect the pink coloring. However, I do add cinnamon to all my other applesauce and butter recipes, in this one, I do not.

What other types of apples could I use with this recipe?

In addition to Granny Smith’s green apples, you can use Gala, Fuji, Pink Lady, and/or Honey Crisp.

Can I omit the sugar?

Sure. You’ll have tartier applesauce, but still yummy and edible. Vanilla extract is also another ingredient you can add for slight flavoring.

What other ingredients can I use to sweeten this strawberry applesauce?

If you’re looking to dodge the sugar, you can always add honey to taste.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes, although you may not get the same flavor as what fresh strawberries will provide.

If I choose the canning option, should I add lemon juice?

As mentioned before, this isn’t particularly a canning recipe; however, you can add a bit of lemon juice for extended storing options.

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