How to make an old fashioned apple jelly recipe. You can make this as an apple jelly with mint or other herb or as regular apple jelly. This is an easy recipe that uses fresh apples but I'll also have directions to use apple juice if you prefer.
We have several kinds of apples in our orchard ranging from tart to sweet and small to large. I love that someone had the forethought to plant so many kinds of apples.
I have apples for applesauce, apples for pies, and apples to eat.
I like to make this low sugar apple jelly recipe with the smaller apples or the ugly apples. You can also make this recipe for apple mint jelly with apple juice, so sometimes I even can the apple juice and make the apple jelly canning recipe later.
I make this both as an old fashioned apple jelly recipe and as a mint apple jelly. I use fresh peppermint from my herb garden. You can use other herbs, and I'll give some suggestions below.
How to Make Apple and Mint Jelly
Apple and mint jelly is often used with meat dishes, usually lamb, but it's also good as an all purpose jelly. I normally make one batch of apple mint jelly recipe and then make an old fashioned apple jelly recipe for toast.
For more apples recipes, check out these posts:
- Canned Apple Pie Filling Recipe
- How to Freeze Dry Apples at Home
- Instant Pot Apple Cider
- Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- How to Dehydrate Apples
- Instant Pot Applesauce With Honey
- How to Make Applesauce Canning Recipe
- Apple Pie Jam Canning Recipe
- Apple Cider Syrup Recipe
Keep track of your canning recipes and supplies with this canning journal printable. It has 29 pages for recipes, inventory, notes, and lists. I also have jar labels, planning information, and conversion tables.
What is the Difference Between Apple Butter and Apple Jelly?
Apple butter is cooked a long time and usually has sugar and spices added. Cooking it for so long really lets the flavors meld and changes the flavor so it's richer. Apple butter does not have pectin in it.
This apple mint jelly recipe is made with fresh apples or apple juice. It's thickened with pectin. It is milder since the apple juice (homemade or from a bottle) has water in it.
What is Apple Jelly Made Of?
An apple jelly canning recipe is a basic recipe that's made with fresh apples or apple juice. You can also use herbs like mint to make apple jelly with mint.
It also has sugar and pectin. I used a low sugar pectin to make a low sugar apple jelly recipe.
What Do You Eat Apple Jelly With?
You can eat this apple jelly canning recipe on toast, but we usually eat it in other recipes. Try one of these delicious ways to eat an old fashioned apple jelly recipe:
- Spread on cracks and add cheese.
- Top pancakes or waffles with apple jelly.
- Add to Instant Pot cold start yogurt.
- Use to flavor oatmeal.
- Add to vanilla ice cream.
- Make stuffed French toast with apple jelly.
- Use for jelly thumbprint cookies.
- Use as a spread for grilling meat.
What Does Mint Jelly Go With?
If you are making apple jelly with mint or another herb, try using it one of these ways:
- Spread on lamb before grilling or roasting.
- Serve on toast or rolls.
- Garnish pork with apple jelly with mint.
- Use in thumbprint cookies.
- Try it on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
- Add lime juice for a mojito glaze for shrimp or fish.
- Add horseradish for a glaze for pork.
- Combine with cream cheese and enjoy on bagels or crackers.
- Use a teaspoon to sweeten iced tea.
- Drizzle on ice cream.
What Herbs Can I Add to Apple Jelly?
I like to make mint apple jelly, but you can use other herbs. Try one of the following in this low sugar apple jelly recipe:
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Anise
You can also make this old fashioned apple jelly recipe without any herbs. It's delicious as a plain apple jelly canning recipe.
Best Apples for Easy Apple and Mint Jelly Recipe
Since your apple jelly with mint is getting the flavor from the juice and won't have bits of apple in it, I recommend using a sweet apple. I recommend using Ambrosia, Fuji, or Gala apples.
However, I've made apple mint jelly with a mixture of sweet and tart apples to use up apples; just make sure you have more sweet apples than tart apples.
How Long Does it Take for Apple Jelly to Gel?
This apple jelly canning recipe may not gel until the following day. Sometimes it can even take two or three days to gel.
I've had jelly not set up. I either use it as a syrup or reheat it and add more pectin and sugar and put it back in the jar. For long term store, you'll need to reprocess. However, I just fix the jars as we use them and put them back in the fridge.
How to Make Low Sugar Apple Jelly Recipe With Apple Juice
If you want to make an easy apple and mint jelly recipe or plain apple jelly recipe, then start with apple juice. I juice my apples with my steam juicer and can the juice.
However, you can use juice from an orchard or from the store. I recommend using a high quality juice and preferably an organic juice.
Tips for Making Apple and Mint Jelly
Follow these tips when you make this apple jelly canning recipe:
- You can freeze apples to make apple jelly with mint later.
- Use fresh mint to make apple mint jelly for best results.
- This low sugar apple jelly recipe is for low sugar pectin. It will not work with bulk pectin or regular pectin. Follow the directions in the box to make a recipe for apple mint jelly.
- Do not use any sugar substitutes for the sugar or the recipe will fail.
- Follow the directions carefully. Jelly needs the right amount of liquid, sugar, and pectin.
- If you undercook, the pectin will not get hard. If you over cook, your jelly will be too hard.
How Long Does Mint Apple Jelly Last?
This apple jelly canning recipe will last about one year on the shelf. Once opened, your apple jelly with mint will last about one month.
Can I Freeze Apple Mint Jelly?
Yes, you can definitely freeze this low sugar apple jelly recipe. Make the apple jelly with mint or without as directed. Spoon it into freezer containers and let sit on the counter until set, usually the next day.
Then store in the freezer for up to three months. When you want to use use the apple mint jelly recipe, remove from the freezer and let thaw in the fridge overnight.
Old Fashioned Apple Jelly Recipe Ingredients
To make apple and mint jelly, you will need:
- Apples
- Granulated sugar
- Water
- Mint leaves
- Low Sugar Sure Jell
How to Make Apple and Mint Jelly
Step #1
Sterilize your jars and prepare your water bath. Remove stems and leaves from apples. You can leave the core, peel, and skins on the apples. Cut apples into small chunks. Place apples, water, and mint (if using) in a large pot. Bring it to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to crush the apple mixture. Cover and simmer for 5 more minutes.
If you are using apple juice, skip to step 3.
Step #2
Line a colander with cheesecloth and set inside a larger bowl. Carefully pour the apple mixture through the cheesecloth. Let drain for several hours. Squeeze the mixture with your hands to extract as much juice as possible.
Step #3
Measure 6 cups of the apple juice. Add water if necessary. Then add the juice, 1/4 cup sugar, and pectin to a large pot. Bring it to a boil, stirring constantly. Add the rest of the sugar and bring back to a boil. Boil for 1 minute while stirring. Spoon off any foam on the top.
Step #4
Ladle the apple mint jelly into your prepared jars. Leave a 1/4 inch head space. Wipe the rims. Place lids and rings on the jars and tighten by hand.
Step #5
Carefully place the jars in your hot water bath. The water should cover the jars by one inch. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Carefully remove jars and let them rest on the counter for 24 hours. I set mine on a cooling rack so they get air flow all around.
The next day, you can transfer them to your long term food storage or your emergency food supply.
I hope you enjoy this low sugar apple jelly recipe!
Old Fashioned Apple Jelly (With Mint or Without)
Ingredients
- 6 lbs. apples
- 4 c. granulated sugar
- 6 c. water
- 3 c. tightly packed mint leaves
- 1 box Sure Jell low sugar
Instructions
- Sterilize your jars and prepare your water bath. Remove stems and leaves from apples. You can leave the core, peel, and skins on the apples. Cut apples into small chunks. Place apples, water, and mint (if using) in a large pot. Bring it to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to crush the apple mixture. Cover and simmer for 5 more minutes. If you are using apple juice, skip to step 3.
- Line a colander with cheesecloth and set inside a larger bowl. Carefully pour the apple mixture through the cheesecloth. Let drain for several hours. Squeeze the mixture with your hands to extract as much juice as possible.
- Measure 6 cups of the apple juice. Add water if necessary. Then add the juice, 1/4 cup sugar, and pectin to a large pot. Bring it to a boil, stirring constantly. Add the rest of the sugar and bring back to a boil. Boil for 1 minute while stirring. Spoon off any foam on the top.
- Ladle the apple mint jelly into your prepared jars. Leave a 1/4 inch head space. Wipe the rims. Place lids and rings on the jars and tighten by hand.
- Carefully place the jars in your hot water bath. The water should cover the jars by one inch. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Carefully remove jars and let them rest on the counter for 24 hours. I set mine on a cooling rack so they get air flow all around.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
72.12Fat (grams)
0.09Sat. Fat (grams)
0.02Carbs (grams)
18.71Fiber (grams)
1.20Net carbs
17.51Sugar (grams)
17.01Protein (grams)
0.20Sodium (milligrams)
2.25Cholesterol (grams)
0.00
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