When it comes to cooking, apples are mostly closely associated with desserts like pies and crisps. However, their sweet-tart flavor also lends itself to savory dishes. From salads to stuffed pork, we've rounded up our favorite savory apple recipes.
Cut into matchsticks, fresh apple can add crunch and fruity tartness to a variety of salads. Fuji or gala apples work well in a kohlrabi and watercress salad with a sumac-infused yogurt dressing. Granny smith apples are a good choice for a Waldorf-style Brussels sprouts salad with guanciale.
Pairing apples with pork is a classic combination. Try them in the Saxon dish székelyalmás, or pork with a marjoram-scented apple and cider cream sauce. Red Holland chiles give the dish just enough heat. Or try wrapping pork loin around sinner stuffing, a decadent mix of apples, dried apricots, and prunes doused in bourbon.
Apples are a fall fruit, so it makes sense to incorporate them into your Thanksgiving dinner. No Thanksgiving is complete without stuffing. Apples add a touch of sweetness to our simple sage and sausage stuffing. For a twist on a traditional cranberry sauce, try our sweet-tart apple cranberry relish with sautéed garlic and onion. Of course, the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving table is the roast turkey. We incorporate apples into turkey three ways—we roast the bird with them and use apple cider and brandy in the gravy.
Find all of these dishes and more in our collection of savory apple recipes.
Avocado and Apple "Tartare" with Fried Walnut Dumplings and Chive Cream
Tart apple and cold avocado balance hot, crisp walnut dumplings and creamy chive sauce in this refreshing vegan dish from chef Josita Hartanto of Berlin’s Lucky Leek. You can make the walnut dumplings a day ahead, but make sure to prepare the tartare within two hours of serving, so the apples and avocados don’t brown. Get the recipe for Avocado and Apple “Tartare” with Fried Walnut Dumplings and Chive Cream »
Smoked Gouda and Apple Butter Sandwich
It’s autumn on a slice of bread: sourdough spread with rich apple butter, topped with slices of mild smoked gouda and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Get the recipe for Smoked Gouda and Apple Butter Sandwich »
Apple and Stilton Welsh Rarebit Bites
Piquant Stilton replaces the more traditional cheddar in this bite-sized twist on the classic British dish. Get the recipe for Apple and Stilton Welsh Rarebit Bites »
Crispy Sprouts
At the Brooklyn, New York restaurant Emily, Brussels sprouts are fried whole until crispy and then tossed in an umami-rich dressing of fish sauce and lemon juice spiked with chile oil. A shower of salty Pecorino cheese, sweet-tart Granny Smith apple, nutty sesame seeds and fresh minced chives tops off the addictive appetizer.
Apple, Sage, and Sausage Stuffing
A combination of apples and sausage lends a nice sweet-savory balance to a simple stuffing enhanced with sage.
Spiced Cabbage with Blueberries (Kryddað Rauðkál með Bláberjum)
Cookbook author Nanna Rögnvaldardóttir braises ruby red cabbage with warm spices, fruit, and jam for this festive, sweet-tart side dish that rounds out an Icelandic Christmas menu. Spiced Cabbage with Blueberries (Kryddað Rauðkál með Bláberjum) »
Waldorf-Style Brussels Sprout Salad with Guanciale
Raw Brussels sprouts put a unique spin on the classic Waldorf salad.
Sautéed Sea Scallops with Caramelized Apples and Chicken Livers
This elegant dish, which marries the light sweetness of scallops with the deep, rich flavors of earthy chicken liver and caramelized apples, comes from by Anita Lo, chef at New York’s Annisa restaurant.
Kohlrabi and Watercress Salad
For a twist on the classic Waldorf salad, try tossing sweet apples with crisp watercress and nutty kohlrabi in a sumac-infused yogurt dressing.
Pork with Apples and Cider Cream Sauce (Székelyalmás)
Tender slices of pork loin in a sumptuous cream sauce get tartness from apple cider and apple wedges and a pleasant twinge of heat from red Holland chiles.
Roast Leg of Lamb with Apples and Fennel
Babette Hayes shared her recipe for this succulent roast, which is cooked alongside apples and fennel, perfumed with garlic and rosemary, and has a sweet-tart crust from a glaze of red currant jelly and pomegranate molasses. Ask your butcher to partially expose the shank, which you can use as a sort of handle for easier carving. Get the recipe for Roast Leg of Lamb with Apples and Fennel »
Crisp Apple-Roasted Turkey with Cider-Calvados Gravy
The turkey in this recipe, from Lynne Rossetto Kasper, is deeply infused with the aroma of apples. “I’m a great believer in repeating seasoning themes at different stages of cooking to build depth,” she says, “which is why I use several expressions of apple—the fruit itself, cider, and apple brandy—in this recipe.”
Roast Pork with Sinner Stuffing
A generous pour of bourbon is the secret to this juicy pork loin’s sweet fruit stuffing. Get the recipe for Roast Pork with Sinner Stuffing »
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