A long, sunny summer has produced a record-breaking apple harvest in the UK, setting the stage for an exceptional year for cider makers. Apples have ripened earlier than usual, full of natural sweetness and rich flavours, perfect for cider production.
Cider makers across the country are celebrating the bumper crop. Thatchers Cider has begun its earliest harvest in 121 years, while Sandford Orchards near Exeter is installing extra tanks to keep up with production. Though the main cider apple harvest continues into October and November, home cooks can already start enjoying the fruit in creative ways.
Cider is especially popular in pork dishes. Thomasina Miers’s braised pork shoulder uses cider and fennel seeds for a slow-cooked, flavorful meal. Nigel Slater offers a quicker option with pork chops, cider, and parsnips, ready in about 40 minutes. A whole gammon joint can also be simmered in cider with spices, using at least a litre to cover the meat.
For sausages, Delia Smith recommends bangers braised in cider with fried apple slices as a garnish. Spain’s culinary influence shows in Yotam Ottolenghi’s chorizo, cider, and chickpea stew, combining rich flavours and a touch of heat.
Cider also works well with other meats. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall describes it as combining the qualities of fruit, wine, vinegar, and sugar. His lamb stew with cider replaces stock, while chicken Normandy and Nigel Slater’s chicken thighs with mushrooms and cider use it to deepen the flavour.
Seafood lovers can enjoy cider too. Mussels can be steamed in cider instead of wine, as in Angela Hartnett’s simple mussels with cider and pancetta. Cider also works as a marinade, such as in salt-grilled salmon, enhancing flavour without overpowering the dish.
Cider can transform classic recipes. Onion soup made with cider instead of wine gives a British twist, topped with cheddar and apple toasts in Tom Kerridge’s version. Dan Lepard’s rye loaf uses a cider mixture to develop flavour overnight in the fridge.
In baking, cider adds complexity. Nigella Lawson’s cider and five-spice bundt cake combines ginger, black treacle, cinnamon, and Chinese five-spice. A cider and pumpkin cake uses two bundt cakes to create a pumpkin shape, ideal for seasonal desserts.
For a refreshing twist, cider sorbet can be paired with cheddar and mint, where the cheese acts as an optional garnish. Mulled cider from Jamie Oliver warms the season with spices, while a cider gingerade cocktail blends gin, ginger syrup, dry cider, and lime juice for a tangy drink.
These 17 recipes demonstrate cider’s versatility in both savory and sweet dishes. From hearty stews to light desserts and festive drinks, cider can enhance a wide range of meals.
Whether simmering meats, steaming seafood, or creating a unique dessert, cider’s natural sweetness and depth of flavour make it an ideal ingredient. With this year’s record apple harvest, there has never been a better time to explore the many ways to enjoy cider in your kitchen.
