Easy 15 Minute Apple Chutney Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does vinegar do in chutney? ›

The sugar and vinegar are essential, too, for that quintessential sharp-sweet flavour and to preserve the chutney. If the jars have been sterilised correctly (watch our video for a failsafe method), the chutney will keep in a cool dark space for more than a year.

Chutney can be eaten in a variety of ways. It is coming to eat it over the top of meat, like we are doing in this recipe. It is also common to eat it with cheese, as a glaze on meats, use it as a dip for crackers or vegetables, or as a spread on a burger or sandwich.

Generally the vinegar in the chutney will mellow over time and we suggest that you allow 2 months for the sealed jars of chutney to "mature" in a cool, dry place. As it is only 2 weeks, the chutney will still be on the sharp side but this should soften by Christmas or early January.

6. Allow to Mature. Chutneys are best eaten after a long maturing period so we recommend storing them in a cool, dry dark place and leaving them for no less than 8 weeks before opening them.

Brown malt vinegars are tasty and flavoursome but like red onions, they too will add colour so it's possible a white wine vinegar or cider vinegar is better to use as an all-rounder. As with the previous ingredients, the whiter the sugar you use, the less impact it will have on the finished product.

It will keep for up to 6 months if store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

If the chutney is too runny then in our opinion the best solution is to put it into a pan and bring it back to the boil, then simmer rapidly until it is the required thickness. If you can do this in a couple of deep frying pans (not aluminium) then it should help to speed up the process.

Sourness comes from acidic ingredients (including tomatoes, wine and vinegar). If your dish tastes too sour try to add sweetness—think sugar, honey (it's healthy!), cream or even caramelized onions.

Once made, chutney can be eaten immediately but the flavours improve and develop if it is left to mature for a couple of weeks or even months. Store your unopened jars in a dry and dark cupboard for best results. Once opened, keep your chutney in the fridge and eat within four weeks.

How do you reduce bitterness in chutney? ›

Add more yogurt, coconut milk, or even plain water to mellow out the bitterness and achieve a more balanced flavor. Blend or Process Well: Ensure that you blend or process the chutney thoroughly to achieve a smooth texture. Sometimes, bitter flavors can be concentrated in fibrous or coarse parts of the ingredients.

When the chutney has cooked for long enough it should have reduced a bit in volume and be quite thick. The simmering time will depend a little on the size of the pan, the chutney will cook a bit more quickly in a wider pan.

Fill the hot dry jars right to the top – preserves shrink slightly on cooling and a full jar means less trapped condensation. Seal the jars while still hot. This rule applies to all jams, jellies, pickles and chutneys.

Vinegar used in making chutney must be good quality and have at least 5% acetic acid content. Any good brand white, malt, wine or cider vinegar should possess the correct qualities. Brown sugar is used for darker coloured chutney but where a lighter colour is required granulated sugar is recommended.

The acidity (low pH) of the chutney prevents growth of several spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, molds and yeasts. This acidity is derived from the added vinegar and the natural acids of the fruit.

The acidity or sourness of vinegar brightens the flavor of food and adds balance to a rich dish. It is found in popular kitchen staples like salad dressings, marinades, sauces, mayonnaise, and ketchup.