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Home » Pickles

Published: Sep 1, 2012 · Modified: Mar 12, 2022 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

Apple Thokku | Apple Pickle

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Apple Pickle pintrest image

This spicy Apple Thokku also called the Grated Apple pickle is the best use of all the excess apple that we pick during the fall season. Apple pickle works great for tart and/or sour apples.

When we miss the sour green mangoes to make mango thokku, apples comes in very handy to ease the craving. Granny Smith or Green apple gives the closest taste and flavor as raw mango. But the best part about this grated apple pickle is that we can make this with any kind of apple.

Apple pickle in a glass jar

It is fall in the Northeast and fall here means, Apples. We spent a wonderful afternoon in a local farm picking apples and we came home with around 25 lbs of apples. Now you know what is going to come in the next few days. It is going to be recipes involving apples. Stay tuned to apple recipes.

apples from apple picking

As soon as we came home, I had this urge to make something right away. I wanted to make Apple pie, apple this and apple that.

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Now to make all these I needed a long list of ingredients and I was in no intention to go out. So came out with the Apple pickle idea and here it goes. I treated the apples just like raw mango for this recipe.

Apple Thokku in a bowl

I am big time apple lover and make several different dishes with apple. Check out my most popular apple recipes here

  • Spice Apple Jam
  • Apple Roses
  • Baked Apple Chips
  • Apple Turnover
  • Apple Muffins
  • Cinnamon Glazed Apple Bread
  • Apple Halwa
  • Apple Soup / Apple Rasam
Apple Pickle in a bowl and jar

Ingredients needed for Apple Pickle

  • Apples (any tart variety) – 3
  • Nalla ennai/sesame oil – 5 tablespoon (can be substituted with olive oil)
  • Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
  • Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
  • Fenugreek powder – 1 tsp
  • Red chili powder – 1 ½ tbsp
  • Asafetida – ½ tsp
  • Salt – as needed
Spicy Apple Pickle

Step by step process 

  • Dry roast the fenugreek seeds and grind it into powder. Keep it aside.
  • Clean the apples, core it, peel the skin and grate it using a grater.
Grating apple using a box grater
  • Heat oil in a kadai or a non stick pan. Add the mustard seeds and once the seeds splutter, add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, asafetida and the fenugreek powder. Fry it for about 30 secs and then add the grated apples.
Cooking the apple pickle in a cast iron pan
  • Mix well and cook it in low flame. Cover the pan to allow the apples to cook. Keep stirring once in a while to prevent the apples from burning.
  • After about 10 mins, you would see that the apples are cooked and they are mushy in appearance. Cook it for 10 mins or so with the lid opened. Keep stirring. At this stage the oil will start to float and the thokku / pickle will start leaving the sides of the pan.
cooking apple pickle in a cast iron pan
  • Turn off the flame and let it cool down. Store the apple thokku in an airtight container. Refrigerate for longer shelf life.
Indian style Apple pickle / thokku

Expert tips

  • We could make fenugreek powder ahead of time and keep it to use for any instant pickle.
  • If you prefer sour pickle, use Granny Smith or green apple for the sourness.
  • Increase or decrease the red chili powder based on your spice preference.
  • If making a larger quantity, use more oil as it acts as a preserving agent.
  • Let the pickle cool down entirely before storing.

Frequently asked questions

How long can we store grated apple pickle?

Apple pickle stays good in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure to use dry spoon every time when taking the pickle. Also increase the amount of oil for longer shelf life.

What kind of apples to use for grated apple thokku?

I like to use apples that are crunchy and sour. Granny smith works the best but we can use any kind of apple to make Apple thokku.

Do we have to grate the apple to make apple thokku?

To make apple thokku we have to grate the apple. We can make instant diced apple pickle as well which is easier and quicker to make.

More Pickle Recipes

  • Lemon Pickle – Elumichampazha Urugai – Nimbu Ka Achaar
  • Instant Andhra Style Tomato Pickle
  • Hari Mirch ke Tipore | Green Chili Pickle
  • Instant Green Apple Pickle
  • Pudina Thokku | Pudina Thogayal Recipe
  • Thakkali Thokku | Tomato Pickle
  • Puli Inji | Inji Curry | Sweet and Sour Ginger Pickle
  • Bitter gourd Pickle | Pavakkai Urukkai | Karela Achaar

 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter

Apple pickle in a glass jar

Apple Thokku | Apple Pickle

This spicy Apple pickle is the best use of all the excess apple that we pick during the fall season. Apple pickle / Apple thokku works great for tart and/or sour apples.
5 from 12 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: pickles, spices and condiments
Cuisine: Indian, South Indian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 1 pint
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Ingredients

  • Apples any tart variety – 3
  • Nalla ennai/sesame oil – 5 tbsp can be substituted with olive oil
  • Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
  • Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
  • Fenugreek powder – 1 tsp
  • Red chili powder – 1 ½ tbsp
  • Asafetida – ½ tsp
  • Salt – as needed

Instructions

  • Dry roast the fenugreek seeds and grind it into powder. Keep it aside.
  • Clean the apples, core it, peel the skin and grate it using a grater.
  • Heat oil in a kadai or a non stick pan. Add the mustard seeds and once the seeds splutter, add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, asafetida and the fenugreek powder. Fry it for about 30 secs and then add the grated apples.
  • Mix well and cook it in low flame. Cover the pan to allow the apples to cook. Keep stirring once in a while to prevent the apples from burning.
  • After about 30 mins, you would see that the apples are cooked and they are mushy in appearance. Cook it for 10 mins or so with the lid opened. Keep stirring. At this stage the oil will start to float and the thokku will start leaving the sides of the pan.
  • Turn off the flame and let it cool down. Store the apple thokku in an airtight container. Refrigerate for longer shelf life.
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rhama says

    November 30, 2020 at 7:11 pm

    Hi Sandhya! Do you make cranberry thokku the same way as this thokku?

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      December 01, 2020 at 11:05 am

      Hi Rhama, almost similar. I have a recipe for that - https://mycookingjourney.com/cranberry-pickle-kuruthi-nelli-oorukkai/

      Reply
  2. Rhama Manohar says

    November 06, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Made this thokku today. It was super simple and delicious! Thank you Sandhya for this recipe.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      November 07, 2020 at 9:51 am

      Thanks so much Rhama for trying the recipe. It is one of our favorite pickle and I am so glad you liked it!

      Reply
  3. Ritika Agarwalla says

    October 02, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    5 stars
    This is by far the most delicious pickle I have ever made. Such a simple recipe for a foodie like me. Thanks a lot Sandhyaji for this recipe.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      October 02, 2020 at 11:37 pm

      Thank you so much Ritika for trying the recipe and letting me know. Glad you liked it 🙂

      Reply
  4. YtheWait says

    September 18, 2020 at 5:35 am

    This is really a delicious recipe.......

    Reply
  5. Leslie says

    February 12, 2020 at 2:13 pm

    I need to try this version of apple pickle. The flavors in this really have me intrigued to try!

    Reply
  6. Lathiya says

    November 05, 2019 at 12:03 pm

    5 stars
    Apple thokku is osmething new to me. This one looks great and lipsmacking. Lovely idea to use apples.

    Reply
  7. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says

    November 02, 2019 at 3:45 am

    I have only tried a sweeter version of apple pickle, not spicy. This looks so tempting, I might make as I have lots of apple in fruit basket.

    Reply
  8. Mayuri Patel says

    October 31, 2019 at 12:10 pm

    5 stars
    Sandhya, Love this quick and lip smacking apple thokku. I'm like you when I have loads of apples at home I want to use them in every way possible. My aunt went to the UK in the early 70s and at that time mangoes were not available there. She would use green apples to make pickles and chutneys.

    Reply
  9. amrita says

    October 30, 2019 at 2:27 am

    How beautiful those fresh produce apples...apple pickle sounds interesting and how quickly you can prepare it and serve it with varieties of meals

    Reply
  10. Jolly says

    October 29, 2019 at 1:49 pm

    I used to make apple chutney most of the times, but now I’m going to make this apple pickle. It sounds so lipsmacking 😋and it would make a great option for me as a side accompaniment with all my meals.

    Reply
  11. Jayashree T.Rao says

    October 29, 2019 at 9:34 am

    Never tried making thokku with apple, but it's a similar kind we make with gooseberry. Nice idea Sandhya.

    Reply
  12. Uma Srinivas says

    October 28, 2019 at 2:14 pm

    5 stars
    It like a mango thokku. What a great idea, I love the spices and aroma of thokku! next time I am going to make apple thokku. Thanks for the idea sandhya!

    Reply
  13. Pavani says

    October 26, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    5 stars
    That is such a delicious and tempting pickle with apple. It sounds tart, spicy and yummy. Will have to try it out real soon.

    Reply
  14. Usha says

    October 26, 2019 at 1:22 pm

    5 stars
    Granny Smith apple pieces pickle tastes really good but have not tasted the grated apple pickle. I am sure this tastes equally good.

    Reply
  15. Vandana says

    October 26, 2019 at 12:01 pm

    5 stars
    I love apple thokku and yours looks delicious. Didn't try it in years. Your post has reminded me to try it soon.

    Reply
  16. Lata Lala says

    October 26, 2019 at 5:18 am

    5 stars
    The apple pickle looks super tempting. Yes true the way to utilise apples in fall season.
    Though I have never tried making pickle from apples this is tempting me to do it soon.

    Reply
  17. Krishna says

    October 20, 2019 at 2:01 pm

    I'm eager to try this recipe. Actually I'm looking for some way to pickle apples (in this style or with another blend of Indian spices) to last 2-3 months at least. Does this method have a shelf life of a couple of months like other Indian pickled recipes? If not, then what changes would allow such a shelf life? Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      October 22, 2019 at 5:29 pm

      Hi Krishna, Apple pickle will not have a very long shelf life because of the moisture in it. It usually stays good for two to three weeks. To increase the shelf life, you could use a little more oil than I have used and also cook the apples longer to get rid of moisture.

      Reply
  18. Cheese Curd In Paradise says

    September 25, 2019 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    I love the slight heat from the chili in these apples. This is an excellent want to use apples and try a little something that was new to me!

    Reply
  19. Choclette says

    September 25, 2019 at 8:11 am

    5 stars
    I make apple chutney every year, but now I'm going to have to make apple pickle. It sounds fabulous and it would make a great addition to a nice pulse curry.

    Reply
  20. Byron Thomas says

    September 25, 2019 at 7:41 am

    5 stars
    This apple pickle was absolutely delicious and a great addition to my roasted pork loin dinner. Thank you for sharing. We will make this again and again!

    Reply
  21. My Cooking Journey says

    October 01, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    Thank you Sowmya! It was very delicious 🙂 Planning to make another batch for later use 🙂

    Sandhya

    Reply

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I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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