Sautéed Apples and Onion (a sweet-and-savory side dish)

If you don’t gravitate to fruit, especially in the cool seasons, a sweet-and-savory fruity side dish might be just the thing for you. Sautéed apples and onion uses only 5 ingredients but packs in the flavor as a simple side dish that goes with so many kinds of meals.

Some dishes this would pair well with include grain pilafs, spicy bean dishes, curries, and casseroles just a few possibilities.

What kind of apple to use

Almost any variety happens to be in your fridge would work, as long is it’s not the kind of apple that turns to mush on contact with heat. I’d stay away from Red and Golden Delicious and MacIntosh for this dish.

For this dish of sautéed apples and onion, I prefer a crisp sweet apple like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp. That said, if you want a more tart vibe, Granny Smith works well, too. Or, you can use two sweet apples and two tart ones for a nice mixture of flavors.

For apple-centered dishes, you may want to brush up the common varieties. Here are the 10 most popular apple varieties in the U.S.

Explore more savory dishes with apple …

• Vegan Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Tempeh Bacon & Apple
• Vegan Walnut Apple Stuffing
• Gingery Rice and Apple Stuffed Sugar Pumpkin
• Braised Red Cabbage with Red Wine & Apple
• Citrus-Braised Mustard Greens with Apples & Nuts
• Vegan Peanut Soup with Broccoli & Apple

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Sautéed Apples and Onion

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Sautéed apples and onions uses only 5 ingredients but packs in the flavor as a simple, sweet-and-savory side dish that goes with so many kinds of meals.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 medium firm, crisp apples, preferably organic
• 1 large yellow or red onion
• 1 tablespoon vegan butter or neutral oil
• 1/4 cup naturally sweetened apple juice or other juice, or as needed
• Cinnamon to taste

Notes

1. Cut the apples away from the core, then into thin slices.
2. Cut the onion in half, then slice it thinly.
3. Heat the vegan butter in a wide skillet or stir-fry pan. Add the onion and sauté over medium-low heat until golden and just beginning to turn brown. 
4. Add the apples to the pan and stir together with the onion. Drizzle in the juice.
5. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the apple is tender-crisp and retains its shape. 
6. Sprinkle in cinnamon as desired. Serve warm as a side dish. 

See lots more plant-forward salads & sides.