This apple butter recipe turns a slow cooker full of fall apples into a deep amber spread that mounds on a spoon, and it needs almost no attention while it cooks. I cook the apples on low until they collapse, blend them smooth, then leave the lid off so the extra water cooks away instead of staying in the pot. The last hour is the one that matters, because apple butter goes from loose puree to spreadable in that final stretch, and a batch pulled too early stays thin.

Ingredients

• 5½ pounds (about 12 to 14 medium) tart-sweet apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
• ½ cup (120 ml) apple cider or water
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Prep the apples: Peel, core, and cut the apples into 1-inch chunks, then pile them straight into a 6-quart slow cooker. Keeping the pieces small helps them collapse evenly, and a mix of tart and sweet varieties gives the finished spread more depth than one kind alone.
2. Add everything but the lemon: Add the cider, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt, then stir so the spices coat the apples. Hold the lemon juice back for the end, because its brightness comes through sharper when it goes in after the long cook.
3. Cook on low until collapsed: Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, until the apples fall apart when you press one against the side of the pot with a spoon. The timing moves with apple size and your slow cooker, so judge by texture rather than the clock.
4. Blend it smooth: Turn off the heat and blend the apples right in the pot with an immersion blender until no lumps remain, or cool the mixture a little and work in batches in a stand blender. Take the lid off after this step and leave it off.
5. Reduce to a spread: Set the slow cooker to high and cook uncovered for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring every 20 minutes, until a spoon dragged across the bottom leaves a trail that holds for a second. This is the step that turns apple puree into apple butter, so don’t rush it.
6. Brighten and jar: Stir in the lemon juice, then taste and add a little more salt or sugar if the batch needs it. Cool to room temperature and spoon it into clean jars.

Flavor Twists and Serving Ideas

• Spread it warm on a slice of cornbread so it melts into the crumb, or spoon it over biscuits and toast.
• Brush a spoonful over maple glazed pork chops in the last minute of cooking for a sweet-savory glaze.
• Swap the cider or water for more apple cider, or add a split vanilla bean and a splash of bourbon off the heat for a deeper flavor.
• Cut the sugar to 1/4 cup, or use all brown sugar, when your apples are very sweet, and taste before you jar the batch.
• Swirl it into yogurt or oatmeal, or use it as a filling for hand pies instead of a plain jam.
• It also sits well next to apple cider donuts and apple crisp on a fall table.

If Your Apple Butter Stays Thin

• The most common cause is pulling it early. Leave the lid off and keep cooking on high, because the puree thickens as water evaporates and it can take a full extra hour.
• A lid that’s still on traps steam, and that condensation drips back in and keeps the batch loose. Cook the final stretch uncovered so the steam can escape.
• Too much added liquid at the start is hard to undo. Begin with 1/2 cup cider, then add more only if the apples look dry.
• Watery apples make a watery batch. A mix that leans on firm, tart apples like Granny Smith sets up better than all soft, sweet ones.
• If it never firms up, use it as a pourable topping for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream instead of tossing the batch.

Storage

Keep apple butter in a clean jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze it in small portions for up to 3 months so you can thaw just what you need. Because apple butter is a low-acid preserve, only water-bath can it with a tested recipe and the correct processing time.

FAQ

Is apple butter the same as applesauce?

They aren’t the same, because apple butter starts as applesauce and then cooks down much longer with sugar and spices until the water cooks off. Applesauce stays loose and lightly sweet, while apple butter turns thick, concentrated, and deep amber.

How long does homemade apple butter last?

About 2 weeks in the refrigerator in a clean airtight jar. For longer storage, freeze it in small containers for up to 3 months, or water-bath can it with a tested recipe and the correct processing time.

Do you have to peel the apples for apple butter?

You can leave the peels on if you plan to blend the batch smooth or run it through a food mill afterward. Peeling first gives a silkier texture, and it’s the safer choice if you’re working with older, tougher-skinned apples.

This fried green tomatoes recipe turns firm, tart green tomatoes into crisp, golden slices with a cornmeal coating that stays in place. The trick is a dry tomato, a three-step dredge, and oil that holds its heat, so the crust sets before the fruit releases its water. Serve them hot with a creamy dipping sauce while the outside is still crackling.

I keep the slices thin, about ¼ inch, because thicker slices crack the coating and trap steam that softens the crust. When a batch comes out pale or the breading slips off in the oil, it’s almost always one of a few fixable things, and I cover those below.

Ingredients

• 4 medium green tomatoes (about 2 pounds), sliced ¼ inch thick
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• ½ cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Creole or Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup whole buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce, divided
• 3 cups peanut or vegetable oil, for frying
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon capers, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• flaky salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Mix the dipping sauce: Stir the mayonnaise, Dijon, capers, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of the hot sauce in a small bowl until smooth. Cover it and chill while you fry, so the cold sauce meets the hot tomatoes. Add the rest of the hot sauce if you want more bite.
2. Slice and dry the tomatoes: Cut the green tomatoes into ¼ inch slices and trim away the top and bottom, which are mostly skin. Lay the slices in a single layer on paper towels and press another towel on top to pull off as much water as you can. Dry slices are what keep the coating from sliding off.
3. Set up the dredge: Put the flour and garlic powder in one shallow dish and whisk them together. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and remaining 1 teaspoon hot sauce in a second dish. Stir the cornmeal, breadcrumbs, and Creole seasoning together in a third. Line up the dishes in that order next to the stove.
4. Coat and rest the slices: Dredge each tomato slice in the flour, shake off the excess, dip it in the egg wash, then press it firmly into the cornmeal mixture so the coating grips. Set the coated slices on a wire rack and let them rest 10 minutes while the oil heats, which hydrates the flour into a shell.
5. Heat the oil: Pour oil into a heavy skillet to a depth of about ½ inch and heat it over medium-high until it reaches 375°F. Drop in a pinch of the coating to test; it should sizzle and rise to the surface right away. If it sinks and barely bubbles, the oil is still too cool.
6. Fry in batches: Fry the slices in batches of four or five, without crowding the pan, for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deeply golden and crisp. Let the oil climb back to 375°F between batches, because cold spots make the coating soak up grease. Move the finished slices to a paper towel-lined plate or rack.
7. Drain and serve: Sprinkle the hot slices with flaky salt right after they come out of the oil. Serve them within a few minutes, while the coating is still crisp, with the chilled dipping sauce on the side. They also work tucked into a sandwich with pimento cheese or layered into a BLT.

When the Coating Slides Off

• A wet tomato steams under the coating and pushes it loose, so pat every slice dry before it meets the flour.
• Slices cut thicker than ¼ inch hold too much water, and the crust cracks before it can set in the oil.
• Coated slices need 10 minutes of rest so the flour hydrates and grips, instead of going straight from the egg wash into the pan.
• Oil that cools below 375°F makes the coating drink up grease instead of crisping, so fry in small batches and give the heat time to recover.
• Salt pulls water to the surface, so sprinkle flaky salt only after the slices are out of the oil and draining.

What to Serve with Fried Green Tomatoes

• A creamy rémoulade, like the one on my blackened shrimp, gives the tart slices a tangy dip that cuts the fried coating.
• They round out a Southern plate next to a crunchy chicken fried steak when you want a full, hearty meal.
• For a lighter side, pair them with crispy pan fried baby potatoes and let the two textures carry the plate.
• A spoonful of sharp pickled cherry tomatoes adds an acidic bite that balances the rich, oily crust.

Fried green tomatoes are at their best straight from the skillet, but leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them on a wire rack in a 375°F oven or in an air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes so the coating crisps again, since a microwave leaves them limp and soggy.

FAQ

Can you make fried green tomatoes in an air fryer?

You can, and they come out crisp with far less oil. Spray both sides of the coated slices with cooking spray, air fry at 400°F for about 8 minutes, and flip them halfway. The crust is lighter than a skillet gives, so rest the dredged slices first to help the coating hold.

Can you use red tomatoes instead of green?

No, ripe red tomatoes are too soft and watery and fall apart in the oil. Use firm, unripe green tomatoes, and avoid the varieties that stay green when ripe, like Green Zebra, because they’re already too soft for frying.

Are fried green tomatoes gluten free?

Not as written, because the flour and breadcrumbs contain wheat. Swap in a 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs, keep the cornmeal, and the coating works the same way.

Can you make fried green tomatoes ahead of time?

You can coat the slices and hold them on a rack in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before frying, which saves time when guests arrive. Fry them just before serving for the crispest crust, since reheated slices lose some of their crunch.

This Sloppy Joe Dip turns the familiar sweet-and-tangy sandwich filling into a thick, cheesy appetizer that actually stays on the chip or toasted bread instead of running straight back into the skillet.

The biggest difference is in how the beef is cooked. I let it brown before adding the onion so it develops some deeper flavor instead of steaming in its own moisture. A spoonful of tomato paste is cooked briefly against the hot skillet too, which gives the sauce more depth and keeps the ketchup from dominating everything.

The dip should be thick enough that when you drag a spatula across the bottom of the skillet, the trail stays visible for a second before slowly filling back in. That is the point to stop cooking. It will continue to thicken slightly once the cheddar melts and again as it rests.

Serve it with toasted baguette slices, sturdy crackers, pretzel chips, or bagel chips. If you’re putting together a larger appetizer spread, it also works well next to pigs in a blanket or cowboy corn dip.

Sloppy Joe Dip Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (907 g) ground beef, preferably 85/15 or 90/10
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced, about ½ cup
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
• 1½ cups (360 g) ketchup
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1½ cups (170 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• Toasted baguette slices, bagel chips, pretzel chips, or sturdy crackers, for serving

Instructions

1. Brown the beef: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and spread it across the skillet. Let it cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes so the underside can brown.
2. Add the onion and seasonings: Break the beef into small crumbles, then add the diced onion, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is cooked through and the onion is softened.
3. Drain excess grease: If the skillet has a large amount of rendered fat, carefully drain most of it. Leave a light coating behind for flavor.
4. Cook the tomato paste: Push the beef mixture slightly to one side of the skillet. Add the tomato paste directly to the exposed pan and cook for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring it against the hot surface until it darkens slightly and smells richer. Stir it into the beef.
5. Make the Sloppy Joe sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the beef broth, ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Reduce the sauce: Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. This gives the sauce time to concentrate before adding the cornstarch.
7. Make the slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until completely smooth.
8. Thicken the dip: Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering beef mixture while stirring. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the sauce becomes thick and scoopable.
9. Check the consistency: Drag a spatula through the center of the skillet. The sauce should stay separated briefly before slowly moving back together. If it immediately runs back into place, cook for another 30 to 60 seconds.
10. Add the cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar until melted and evenly incorporated.
11. Prepare the broiler: Position an oven rack about 6 inches below the broiler and set the broiler to high.
12. Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar evenly over the beef mixture.
13. Broil: Place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling with a few lightly browned spots. Watch closely because broilers vary.
14. Rest and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dip rest for about 5 minutes before serving with toasted baguette slices, pretzel chips, bagel chips, or sturdy crackers.

Why This Sloppy Joe Dip Works

Traditional Sloppy Joe filling can be fairly loose because the bun absorbs part of the sauce. That same consistency does not work as well for a dip.

Here, the sauce simmers first so some of the excess moisture cooks away. A small amount of cornstarch finishes the job without making the filling gummy.

Using only 2 tablespoons instead of a heavier amount keeps the sauce glossy and thick while still allowing it to loosen slightly when hot.

The tomato paste adds another layer of savory flavor, while Worcestershire sauce brings saltiness, acidity, and a little umami that balances the sweetness from the ketchup and brown sugar.

Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Dip

• Brown the beef before adding the onion. Adding everything at once can release enough moisture to steam the beef instead of browning it.
• Use a wide skillet. More surface area helps moisture evaporate and gives the beef better contact with the pan.
• Break the beef into small crumbles. A dip is easier to scoop when the pieces of meat are small rather than chunky.
• Cook the tomato paste briefly. That short contact with the hot skillet takes away the raw tomato taste and adds deeper flavor.
• Use cold water for the cornstarch slurry. Cornstarch can clump when mixed directly into hot liquid.
• Do not over-thicken the sauce. It will become thicker after the cheddar is stirred in and again while it rests.
• Use freshly grated cheddar if possible. It generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
• Taste before adding extra sweetness. Ketchup already contains sugar, so 1 tablespoon of brown sugar is enough for most batches.
• Balance it at the end if needed. If the dip tastes sweeter than you prefer, stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of pickle juice or apple cider vinegar before adding the cheese.

What to Serve with Sloppy Joe Dip

You want something sturdy enough to carry the beef mixture.

Good options include:

• Toasted baguette slices
• Pretzel chips
• Bagel chips
• Thick tortilla chips
• Crostini
• Sturdy crackers
• Toasted slider buns cut into smaller pieces

For a party spread, pair it with jalapeño poppers, pigs in a blanket, or a cooler dip like cowboy corn dip.

Make-Ahead Instructions

The beef portion can be prepared up to 2 days ahead.

Cook the recipe through the thickening step, but do not add the cheddar yet. Let the mixture cool completely and refrigerate it in an airtight container.

When ready to serve, return the beef mixture to a skillet and heat it over medium-low heat. Add a small splash of beef broth if it has thickened too much in the refrigerator.

Once hot, stir in 1 cup of cheddar, top with the remaining cheese, and broil as directed.

Storage

Allow leftover Sloppy Joe Dip to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

The sauce will become quite thick when chilled, which is normal.

How to Reheat Sloppy Joe Dip

Stovetop

Place the dip in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of beef broth or water and stir occasionally until hot.

Microwave

Place a serving in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until warmed through.

Oven

Transfer the dip to an oven-safe baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and heat at 350°F (175°C) until hot.

Remove the foil for the last few minutes if you want the cheese on top to melt again.

Can You Freeze Sloppy Joe Dip?

Yes, although the best texture comes from freezing the beef mixture before adding the cheddar.

Prepare the recipe through the thickening step and allow the mixture to cool completely. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently in a skillet. Add a little beef broth if necessary before stirring in the cheese and finishing under the broiler.

You can freeze the finished cheesy dip as well, but the cheddar may have a slightly different texture after reheating.

Sloppy Joe Dip Variations

Spicy Sloppy Joe Dip

Add 1 finely diced jalapeño with the onion or stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper with the seasonings.

Smoky Sloppy Joe Dip

Add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika along with the garlic powder.

Pepper Jack Sloppy Joe Dip

Replace half of the cheddar with shredded pepper jack cheese.

Extra Tangy Version

Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of pickle juice or apple cider vinegar to the sauce after thickening.

Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

If you want the more traditional version instead, try this homemade Sloppy Joes recipe.