Substitute for McIntosh Apples

Can't find your beloved McIntosh apples? What apples taste most like McIntosh? Here are some other apple choices that you might want to consider.

Whenever you have to move from one area to a completely different area, there are always pros and cons. Some you don't realize until later down the road well after the move.

Take for example, your favorite apple. If you have lived in the Northeast or Midwest, you certainly have seen and probably had a McIntosh apple. The majority of pick your own orchards offer them. You can even get them still at most grocery stores in the region.

But now you have moved down south. See, your winters are warmer now, but your fall is missing one of your favorite apples.

Sure you might find them at some store, maybe a couple months after the harvest when they aren't as crisp. What other apples could you turn to instead? Are these apples going to be easier to find or just as hard?

There have been a lot of new apple varieties hitting the market over the last 10 years. None of them really are like a McIntosh. Most of these varieties are known for being sweet and crisp without the more tart flavor a McIntosh fan is likely carving.

Jump to:

• 🍎 Most Similar Apples
• 🛒 Common Grocery Store Apples
• 📅 Early McIntosh Types
• 📧 Join Our Email List

🍎 Most Similar Apples

McIntosh apples have a certain apple flavor to them, they I just call the "McIntosh" flavor. It's a tart flavor. The interior of the apple is a bright white color.

I am not saying these apple are exactly the same but they are have enough similar that I think McIntosh fans might like any of these.

• Empire
• Cortland
• Snow
• Liberty
• Spartan
• Gravenstein
• Macoun
• Melrose
• Paula Red
• Hampshire
• Snow Sweet

What most of these apples have in common is they have tartness and are more bright white inside.

Macoun and Melrose are both varieties that I think are better than McIntosh. They are crisp with a better flavor. Snow Sweet is a sweeter apple but has enough tartness too. The look of the apple reminds me of McIntosh.

🛒 Common Grocery Store Apples

A lot of the apples on the list above are not ones that are commonly available in all grocery stores. It's hard to match that exact flavor among the apples in most supermarkets.

The closet ones that I think a McIntosh lover might like are Rave. Or maybe Cosmic Crisp.

If you have a recipe that calls for McIntosh and can't find them, consider Granny Smith or Pink Lady as a replacement. You would need something with tartness and these apples would provide that, but with a different flavor. Could even use Honeycrisp.

Do you have an applesauce recipe that calls for McIntosh? Read our post all about the best apples for applesauce to find a suitable replacement.

📅 Early McIntosh Types

Early in the apple season in August you may see apples at orchards or markets called Jersey Mac or Early Mac. Very similar to McIntosh and you may still like them. Keep an eye out for these. They are grown in the same places as McIntosh would be so they would be an early season substitute before you get the real deal.

📧 Join Our Email List

Check out our email apple club. Get all the lowdown on the best tasting apples.