Have you ever made chutney? If not, you’re in for a treat with this recipe! Fresh apricot chutney is like a little homemade jar of joy and, guess what?
It’s really easy to make! Let’s get started.
Fresh Apricot chutney recipe
Instead of buying a jar of chutney from the supermarket, you simply have to try making your own! It’s so very easy to make, tastes out of this world and can be used to bring next-level flavor to such a variety of dishes.
This recipe combines apricots with onions (essential for a good chutney), white vinegar (apple cider vinegar will do), brown sugar, salt and a fragrant spice mixture including cloves, cayenne pepper, mixed spice, nutmeg and curry powder.
CHUTNEY EQUIPMENT YOU NEED
Check out the ultimate list to chutney making equipment. You actually don't need that much and most of the items are quite affordable!
Making your own preserves is a great and satisfying hobby. Giving the gift the lovely food to your friends and family are especially rewarding!
When are apricots in season?
Apricots are a spring/summer fruit. They are in season from early May to July.
What do you do with lots of apricots?
When you find yourself with a load of apricots, an apricot chutney recipe is the way to go! It lasts for ages, tastes amazing, goes with almost anything and is really easy to make.
Of course, apricots can always be made into apricot jam, as well as apricot desserts such as apricot tart or apricot cobbler. For me though, an apricot chutney is definitely the way to go!
Did you know that apricot pairs well with meat? Check out the following recipes:
- Pork Medallions with Apricot and Leek Sauce - apricot goes especially well with pork
- Lamb and Apricot Sosaties - you can substitute dried apricots with fresh ones!
- Grilled Curried Lamb Chops with Apricots - you can fling fresh apricots on the barbecue
- Halloumi Salad with Apricots, Avocado and Almonds - trust me, just try it with halloumi cheese!
Another idea is to dry the apricots. Dried apricots are delicious and good for you. Best of all, you can use dried apricots in anything, from cereals to smoothies or even as eaten on their own as a healthy snack.
How do you pick good apricots?
A good rule for selecting apricots: If they smell sweet, they probably taste terrific.
For extra sweetness, they should be slightly soft when you give them a gentle squeeze.
How do you remove seeds from apricots?
To remove the seed or ‘pit’ from apricots, you’ll need a sharp paring knife.
First, press the knife into the grain of the fruit, right up to the seed. Then, carefully turn the apricot to slowly cut it in half.
Now, take the pitted side and flip it pitside down. Repeat the first step, pressing the knife into the fruit and slowly cutting a line from top to bottom.
Take the quartered apricot, give it a pinch, and gently remove the stone.
How do you make this chutney smoother?
Before you add all your ingredients to the cooking pot, you can blitz them in a food processor. This will give you a smoother consistency, instead of the traditional chunky chutney.
How do you store apricot chutney?
If kept in a cool, dry and dark place, this chutney will keep for up to 2 years. Once opened, keep the apricot chutney in the fridge and consume within 3 weeks.
Can you freeze this chutney?
It lasts such a long time when sealed and stored in a cool, dark place, that freezing isn’t really necessary.
How do you sterilize jars?
In order to sterilize them, they need to be submerged in boiling hot water for 10–15 minutes.
The easiest way to do this is to use a canner (see ‘Products you need for this recipe’).
If you haven’t got a canner, you can follow my guide and learn how to sterilize jars in an oven.
What other fruit can you combine apricot with?
The great thing about chutney recipes is their flexibility. So, with this recipe, make up your own divine combinations!
Swap 50% of the apricots in the recipe below with one of these following fruits:
Mangoes – like a shot of summer, mango and apricot is pure fruity heaven
Oranges – add a little zing to the chutney. Grate in some zest too
Peaches – they’re from the same family as apricots and make for a good pairing. Go for over ripe peaches for an sweet dimension
Raspberries – sweet and tart, raspberries are a good chutney ingredient
Cherries – bring a little tartness and sourness with a handful of cherries
Lingonberries – a distant cousin of cranberries, these little berries are sour and juicy, making for an interesting counterbalance to the sweet apricot
Nectarines – another from the Prunus family, the same as apricot, nectarine and apricot go great together
Pineapples – brings a zesty tang or a deep sweetness, depending on whether it’s a young or ripe pineapple
Plums – plums are a fantastic chutney ingredient. Pair them with apricot for a incredibly tasty chutney
Strawberries – this makes for a very interesting flavor combination
Cooking apples - tart apples work really well with apricot and spices, e.g. Bramleys
Sultanas – in this recipe you can reduce the apricots by 250g (½ lb) and replace them with 250g (½ lb) sultanas
What other flavors work well with apricot chutney?
Again, with this chutney recipe, flexibility is the key. There’s a seemingly endless amount of flavor combinations you can use to create your very own masterpiece.
Here are a few suggestions of ingredients you could add to this apricot chutney recipe:
4 cardamom pods, crushed
1 cinnamon stick
3g (2 tsp) ground coriander
3g (2 tsp) cumin
5cm (2in) fresh ginger root, finely chopped or grated
15ml (1 tbsp) rose water
1g (1 tsp) fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 vanilla pod
1 garlic clove, minced
22g (2 tbsp) mustard seeds
3g (1 tsp) ground turmeric
1 lemon, juice and zest
1 lime, juice and zest
1 orange, juice and zest
1g (½ tsp) allspice
What alcohol pairs well with apricot?
Chutney has such a rich, complex taste, it’s no surprise that it pairs well with a fine tipple. Especially with some cheese added into the mix!
So, enjoy this apricot chutney as part of a cheeseboard, and try any of the following for a delicious three part combo:
Brandy
Cognac
Cointreau
Grand marnier
Kirsch
Sauternes
Alternatively, you can actually make your chutney boozy! Simply pour in 125ml (½ cup) of your preferred alcohol at the end of cooking time and bottle up your chutney as soon as possible.
How to use apricot chutney
There are so many ways to use this apricot chutney. Here’s some inspiration:
- Spoon some over your favorite sandwiches or wraps
- Slather it over roast ham, pork, lamb, turkey, chicken or fish before or after cooking
- Have with your favorite cold meats
- Serve with crudites for a tasty appetizer
- Add towards the end of a curry for a fruity, spicy flavor bomb
- Add with cream cheese for a heavenly topping for biscuits or crackers
- Have on the side of scrambled eggs
- Serve as a pairing with goat’s cheese or hard cheese
- Pair with hazelnuts, sesame seeds or pistachios
- Use as a deliciously fruity burger topping
- Spoon over dark chocolate desserts
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Tips for the perfect apricot chutney
A few little pointers on how to get this chutney recipe right:
- Don’t overcook the chutney or it will be too thick. Remember… it does thicken as it cools down
- The proper consistency should be thick and syrupy, with no running liquid. Draw a little channel with a spoon in the chutney – if the channel stays for a few seconds before liquid rushes in, it’s ready!
More fresh apricot recipes for you
- Grilled Curried Lamb Chops with Apricots
- Pork Medallions with Apricot and Leek Sauce
- Apricot Cobbler
- Apricot Tart
- Halloumi Salad with Apricots, Avocado & Almonds
More amazing chutney recipes
If you enjoy making this chutney recipe, I’ve got many more fantastic recipes for you to try. Work your way through the list below and discover the magic of chutney!
- Dried Apricot Chutney - if you can't get hold of fresh apricots, dried apricots work just as well!
- Mrs Balls chutney – a classic South African chutney, this one has a sweet tangy taste with an afterbite of chili to keep you on your toes. While the original recipe is a closely guarded secret, my version stays true to the ingredients and flavors that have a national treasure in South Africa
- Blueberry chutney – not the first ingredient you think of when you think of chutney, but one taste and you’ll never forget it. Try it on the side of a roast and you’ll be in heaven
- Strawberry chutney – light and sweet with hints of sour and spice, this is one fine chutney
- Grape chutney – so, so good! Grape is a particularly good chutney ingredient. Cooking apples bring a hint of sourness, for a light, fruity chutney
- Orange chutney – a tangy and aromatic chutney that balances the vibrant citrus flavors of oranges with a blend of spices.
- Cherry chutney – add a burst of fruity flavour to your meals
- Black grape chutney – a grape chutney that goes perfectly with cheese
How would you enjoy apricot chutney?
Print📖 Recipe
Apricot Chutney
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 2kg (4lb 8oz) 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Make your very own apricot chutney! A glut of apricots is used. The recipe is gently spiced and plenty of variations given.
Ingredients
- 1.5kg (6 ½ cups) fresh apricots, halved
- 500g (3 cups) onions, chopped
- 500ml (2 cups) white vinegar
- 750g (3 ¾ cups) sugar
- 6g (1 tsp) salt
- 2g (1 tsp) ground nutmeg
- 2g (1 tsp) mixed spice
- 2g (1 tsp) ground cloves
- 2g (1 tsp) cayenne pepper
- 2g (1 tsp) curry powder
Instructions
- Remove the stones from the apricots then chop the halves roughly.
- Place all the ingredients in a large, heavy bottomed pot and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 hour. Give it a stir every now and then.
- If the chutney hasn’t thickened, cook for 10 minutes more or until no excess liquid is detected.
- Spoon into hot, sterilised jars. Seal and then let it cool down.
- This chutney doesn’t need maturing and can be eaten at once. Enjoy!
Notes
- Instead of white vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar.
- If kept in a cool, dry and dark place, this chutney will keep for up to 2 years.
- Once opened, keep the chutney in the fridge and consume within 3 weeks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 30ml (2 tbsp)
- Calories: 79
- Sugar: 18.2 g
- Sodium: 47.7 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.4 g
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Perry
Hi, I'm here in southern france apricot season, too. I switched out the original recipe spices for some of your other suggestions. I used: cardamom pods, black mustard seeds, 4 allspice berries, a lime (nice color contrast too!), and added some fresh lemon thyme leaves just before putting in jars. What a simple and great tasting recipe. thanks!
Diane C
Hi there! Apricots are starting to be in season in southern France. Mangoes are very, very expensive here. We were craving chutney and commercial chutneys are often disappointing (when you can find them). I followed your recipe (more or less 😉) and I just finished putting everything in sterilized jars.
Then I realized that you also have a Mrs. Ball’s style recipe. I tried copying that during Covid lockdown, by analyzing the ingredients listed on the label. Not everyone likes spicy so I kept it mild. I’ll try more of your chutney recipes! Thank you!
Tammy
With cheese
Paul Savage
I'd have mine in a sandwich.
Mrs Theresa Thomas
with some cheese and crackers
Ross Leech
With crackers and cheese.
Janine H
I'd love to try this on a slice of cheddar cheese on toast
AJ
I'd enjoy with some cheese and possibly some salami too.
Fiona Johnstone
I love it with my chicken enchiladas. Goes so well.
Jeanette Swift
As an accompaniment to my cheeseboard for guests
Maurice Haigh
With good roast ham
Tracy Barber
I'd enjoy this with a nice bit of bread and cheese, yummy
Joyce Willis
I love a sharing platter with cheese, cold meats, crackers, smoked salmon and olives and this apricot chutney would go beautifully with all of those things
Adrian Bold
I would enjoy it with cheese and crackers.
Hayley Lynch
I love it on a scone
Clare H
with a big lump of cheese
SueN
I'd serve it with a grazing box as it would complement cured meats and cheeses.
Emily walker
I love chutney topped on burgers with mature cheddar
Thomas Riley
sandwitches
Daphne Monk
I would love to try it with a Ham and cheese ploughmans
Patricia Barrett
I'd enjoy it in a sandwich with some ham and salad.
Stef Acaster
I'd enjoy it with cheese and biscuits
Mary Baldwin
I so fancy this with a ploughman's lunch containing both home-baked ham and cheese - just think it would be so lovely.
Elaine Stokes
with a homemade cheese and onion quiche
Lucinda P
This chutney sounds delicious, I would love to enjoy it with a cheese board
Carole Nott
As part of a ploughmans lunch with cheese and crusty bread
Nicola S
I’d have my chutney with Brie and crusty bread (and maybe a cheeky glass too!)
Marie Rungapadiachy
I would really love to enjoy the apricot chutney with some pate.
Laura Green
With cheese and grapes Yum yum! My son would enjoy this too
lynn neal
Great in a cheese toastie for lunch time!
Sarah Hanson
On toasted ciabatta and Brie
Deborah Preston
With cream cheese on my crispbreads for lunch
Heather Haigh
With a piece of Wensleydale and some rye bread
Valerie Seal
I'd love it in cold pork sandwiches!
Claire Lawrenson
We always enjoy toastie lunches with a delicious salad at the weekend. We love finding yummy chutneys to try with them & this one sounds fab.
Alison
With roast beef dinner or beef sandwiches
Lucy
Probably cheese and biscuits though I love the idea of it with chocolate desserts!
Emma Davison
With cheese
Tanya Fernandez
With a juicy lamb burger
SUSAN L HALL
I love it with a cheese board
Sheri Darby
It would be lovely with cheese and crackers
Teresa Sheldon
To be honest I’ve never heard of apricot chutney before but after reading the recipe and how easy it is to make it I think I need to make some and try it
Francesca H
WIth a strong cheese, like Lincolnshire Poacher!!
Karen R
Sounds perfect to go with a Ploughman's lunch xx
James Travis
With some cheese and biscuits
Caroline Shepherd
In a sandwich with roast pork leftovers.
Claire Hamilton
I would enjoy it in a ploughman's lunch.
Claire Driver
I’d enjoy apricot chutney with poppadoms
Emily Hutchinson
With cheese and crackers and alongside a curry
Charmaine Dance
Definitely with cheese
Tiff Jordan
I'd enjoy apricot chutney with Caerphilly cheese on oat crackers.
Mark R
With cheese and crisps
Kristyn Harris
I would enjoy my apricot chutney on pate with toast and a side of lettuce
Neil Robinson
Never knew there was so much you can do with chutney or how much it adds to the enjoyment of a meal. I'm converted!
Amy warwick
Oh yum I love chutneys! I’d love it as an accompaniment to a warm Camembert with crusty bread
Rachael
With cheese and crackers - delicious!
Sue
With a cheeseboard and grapes.
Dean T
With some chicken tikka skewers and salad
Victoria Prince
I love apricot chutney with crackers - especially if I get a "posh" box!
Kim Carberry
I think it would great in a sandwich. It would go perfectly with cheese or ham x
Jessica
Tasted great and can go with so many different things. I'm going try another chutney recipe soon!
Michelle Minnaar
So pleased you liked it, Jessica!
There are plenty more chutney recipes to try. Check them out here:
https://www.greedygourmet.com/category/condiments/chutney/
Darren Bourne
I would like to try it with some tandoori chicken and rice. Or simply with some crumbly cheese like Cheshire and crackers.
Kirsten Barthy
Nothing beats chutney with cheese and crackers
john prendergast
with a ploughmans
Kim M
Would love this in a cheese sandwich with homemade brown bread
TonyG
with cold pork loin sandwiches
joanne coulson
With some cheshire cheese and crackers
MJ
TOAST IS ALWAYS A GOOD BET
Christina Palmer
I would enjoy this on either a mature chedar cheese or with some Stilton chees
Victoria N
I would have it with some home made sourdough
Chris Andrews
l would enjoy trying some of the ideas here as well as my old stand by, with a cheese board
Angie McDonald
I'd enjoy it on cheese and crackers
Charlotte isobelle
With cheese sounds perfect to me!
Denise Coy
Put Apricot chutney on toast , sliced Red Leicester on top and grill to your liking - delicious.
Pete c
I'd enjoy it as part of a ploughmans lunch picnic, especially with Wensleydale Cheese
Laura Pritchard
With cheese & grapes!
Angela Kelly
I must admit I'm not a fan myself. My Dad however would love it and I'm sure it would be with cheese.
Rena Plumridge
With cheese and crackers
Julia Nicholls
I would love the chutney with cheese and biscuits
Priscilla Stubbs
I love making chutney and have't tried an apricot chutney but I would enjoy it with a ploughman's lunch
Ben Audsley
on toast!
Emma Wolski
I would do a lovely cheese platter and invite some friends round and share it with some wine! Delicious pairing!
claire woods
with some cheese on crackers
Louise A
I would enjoy it as part of a Ploughmans
Margaret Clarkson
With Wensleydale cheese and home made bread
Keith Hunt
Serve with meat
Sheena Batey
With cheddar cheese
Rhonda Smith
I needed to use up some apricots and this was the perfect way to do it. I made about 1/3 of the recipe but used a bit more than 1/3 of the spices, also added garam masala and a finely chopped jalapeño.
Iain maciver
over my meat or on my sandwiches
Elise Chapman
Sounds great for a picnic or bbq
Carolyn E
I love the idea of using this with a serving of scrambled eggs.
melanie stirling
I would enjoy apricot chutney with cheese.
Vicki
Yummy with a kick from the cayenne. I don’t know what mixed spice is but I asked Alexa who said it is similar to pumpkin pie spice so I used that instead. I also don’t like the taste of cloves so I substituted allspice. I also cut the sugar to 3 cups. My next batch I’m adding cherry plums from my step father’s tree (and am omitting the cayenne). I expect it will have a bit of a tart taste.