Description
This Homemade Peach Chutney is a sweet and tangy condiment made from fresh peaches, dried fruits, and warming spices. Perfect to serve as a versatile topping or dip alongside pork, ham, chicken, or turkey, it captures the vibrant flavors of late summer peaches with a balanced blend of vinegar, citrus, and spice. Easy to make and great for storing, this chutney adds a flavorful twist to your meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh peaches, peeled and diced (about 6–7 peaches)
- 1/3 cup sweet onion, diced
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Dried Fruits
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 jar McCormick crystallized ginger (about 2 oz or 1/4 cup chopped)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Other
- 7 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 pouch Certo liquid fruit pectin
Instructions
- Prepare the peaches: Peel and dice fresh peaches until you have about 4 cups, which usually requires 6 to 7 medium peaches. Set the diced peaches aside for combining with other ingredients.
- Combine ingredients: In a large pot, add the diced peaches, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, raisins, dried cranberries, diced sweet onion, chopped crystallized ginger, sea salt, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ground ginger, and granulated sugar. Stir the mixture but do not add the pectin at this stage.
- Cook the chutney: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Stir frequently to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pot or scorching on the bottom. Once it reaches a rolling boil, continue stirring constantly for 1 minute to fully incorporate the flavors and soften the fruits.
- Add pectin: Remove the pot from the heat source immediately to prevent overcooking. Stir in the Certo liquid fruit pectin thoroughly and continue stirring for about 5 minutes as the chutney cools slightly. This step helps the chutney thicken and develop the ideal consistency.
- Serve or store: After cooling, serve the chutney at room temperature. It pairs wonderfully as a topping for pork, ham, chicken, or turkey, and can also be used as a dip or sandwich spread to enhance various dishes.
- Storage: Transfer the chutney into airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks for short-term use or freeze for up to 4 months in freezer-safe containers for longer storage. When ready to use frozen chutney, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before serving to restore room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure stirring constantly when boiling to avoid burning the chutney due to high sugar content.
- Use fresh ripe peaches for the best flavor and texture in the chutney.
- Adjust sugar amount slightly if you prefer a less sweet chutney.
- Storing in sterilized jars extends shelf life if you wish to preserve it for longer than two weeks refrigerated.
- The chutney complements a variety of meats and can also be experimented with as a unique sandwich spread or cheese accompaniment.
