This pear sauce is a perfect substitute or switch-up from typical applesauce. Use it with sweet or savory dishes or all on its own.
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What Types of Pear to Use
For this delicious sauce, I used Bartlett and Bosc pears to create layered texture and taste profiles. However, you can use any pear varieties you like.
You can get green, red, yellow, or even bronze colored pears.They can range from vanilla tones to citrusy-sweet — some tarter versions are great to pair with fatty or sharp cheese while others are amazing sweet snacks on their own.
From Comices with their soft, creamy flesh and juicy inside to cinnamon-spicy Forelles there are an abundance of pear varieties. Seckels are perfect for snacking (but not baking), and Red Concords are amazing accompaniments for cheese and charcuterie boards (and Bartletts and Boscs are clearly great for cooking and baking).
Pears are a versatile snack — but they’re also amazing in baked and cooked goods.
The next time you have some extra pears, or you’re looking for a slightly spiced sauce that has all of the flavors of autumn, turn to this pear sauce. It’s the best way to add seasonal flavors to sweets and savory dishes.
What is Pear Sauce?
Pear sauce is basically the same thing as apple sauce, but with pears! Ripe pears are simmered and softened, then spiced and mashed. Then, it’s chilled for a refreshing and delightful sauce.
If you like a chunky fruit sauce that is super versatile to use on savory or sweet dishes, this is the sauce for you.
How to Use Pear Sauce
You can eat it straight out of a bowl, but you can pair it perfectly with plenty of dishes!
- Vanilla ice cream – Spoon pear sauce, either still chilled or even warmed, over ice cream.
- Asian food – Try incorporating it into teriyaki style dishes.
- Pork chops – Instead of applesauce, try using this pear sauce.
- Caribbean – Elevate your jerk chicken or grilled mahi mahi with this sauce.
- Crumble – Incorporate it in seasonal crumbles.
- Oatmeal – Mix this sauce into your oatmeal (or other hot breakfast).
- Pies – Drizzle this over your pie of choice.
- Cookies – Thicken the sauce just a bit and then put pear sauce in thumbprint-style cookies.
- Sweet potatoes – Make your sweet potatoes sweeter by covering them with this sweet sauce.
- Substitute for oil – Instead of oil, use pear sauce to add texture, moisture, and flavor to muffins and cakes.
- Yogurt – Mix this into your yogurt for a healthy breakfast.
- Granola – Toss granola with pear sauce for a crunchy, sweet treat.
- Cheese board – Add a dish of pear sauce to your cheese and charcuterie board for a twist on your typical jam or other fruit.
- Ricotta or cottage cheese – Mix the pear sauce into your ricotta or cottage cheese for a sweet dip or treat all on its own.
- Cranberry sauce – Kick up your holiday cranberry sauce by mixing it with this sauce.
Some of our favorites swap with applesauce are applesauce muffins, applesauce cake and applesauce cookies.
Variations
Pear sauce is a perfect side all on its own, particularly in the fall. But there are plenty of ways to dress it up, too.
- Spices – Cinnamon channels that natural fall flavor, but you can also experiment with ground ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, or anise.
- Lower carb – Try using your favorite sugar substitute to lower the sugar and carbohydrates.
- Apple cider – To impart some apple flavor, replace some or all of the water with apple cider or apple juice.
- Cornstarch – Make your pear sauce a little thicker by adding cornstarch. Make sure to make a slurry before adding it to ensure that it doesn’t clump.
- Pear butter – Simmer the pears for about twice as long. Then, use a food processor, blender, or immersion blender to smooth the mixture.
- Slow cook – Instead of simmering, try combining all ingredients in the slow cooker or make an instant pot pear sauce.
- Nuts – Crushed pecans, pistachios, and walnuts all pair well with pears and add texture.
- Sweetener – Change up the flavor profile by replacing some or all of the sugar with maple syrup or honey.
- Lemon zest – Try adding lemon zest for added citrus flavor.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: After bringing the sauce to room temperature, you can refrigerate it for up to 10 days in an airtight container.
Freezing: Pear sauce can be frozen in freezer safe containers, an ice cube tray, or ziplock bags for up to 6 months. It can also be canned in pint jars or quart jars.
More Fruity Sauces
Pear Sauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4-5 large pears* peeled and coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the pears, water, sugar, lemon, cinnamon and vanilla, stir to combine cover and heat over low heat.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally for 20-25 minutes or until fragrant and pears and soft.
- Allow the mixture to cool before transfering to a large food processor. Pulse until no large chunks remain.
- Transfer to an airtight container and chill until ready to eat. Stir before serving.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
This sauce is amazing on vanilla ice cream. And it’s easy to make.
Who needs applesauce when you have pear sauce?! This recipe is SO good!
I love pears, so I was glad to find your recipe for pear sauce. The color is just so pretty and this recipe is so easy to make. Love this on my yogurt.
This is absolutely incredible, such a treat! Kids loved it.
Such an easy and delicious snack! I love applesauce but this pear version is a winner!