Add apples, water, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a large saucepan. Stir everything together to coat the apples evenly.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and cover with a lid. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are very soft and breaking apart easily when pressed with the back of a spoon. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

For chunky applesauce, use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples until they reach your desired consistency. For a smooth texture, use an immersion blender directly in the pot to puree the applesauce until smooth.

Let the applesauce cool slightly, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.