How to Make Delicious Homemade Pear Sauce | Easy Recipe Tutorial & Canning Guide
This year’s pear harvest has been… a little unpredictable. Some pears ripen to a perfect golden hue, while others take their sweet time. But ripe or not, pears are perfect for making homemade pear sauce—a naturally sweet, spiced treat that’s versatile and delicious. Top it on pancakes, swirl it into yogurt, or enjoy it straight from the jar.
Making pear sauce is a fantastic way to transform your overripe pears into a healthy, cozy treat. Using simple ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, this recipe turns imperfect fruit into a deliciously smooth or chunky sauce. And if you want to enjoy it for months, you can preserve it using a simple water bath canning method🍲 Ingredients You’ll Need
Pears: 8–10 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and chopped
Lemon juice: 2 teaspoons
Water: ¼ cup
Spices:
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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🔪 Step-by-Step Homemade Pear Sauce Instructions
Step 1: Inspect and Prep Your Pears
Choose ripe pears with light yellow hues.
Remove bruised or damaged areas.
Peel, core, and chop pears into roughly 1-inch pieces.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in a Pot
Add chopped pears, water, lemon juice, and spices to a large saucepan.
Stir well to combine.
Step 3: Cook the Pears
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
Simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pears are soft and breaking down.
Step 4: Mash or Blend
Chunky: Use a potato masher for a rustic texture.
Smooth: Use an immersion blender or standard blender for a silky sauce.
Step 5: Cool and Store (Optional)
If eating fresh: Let the pear sauce cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
For longer storage, follow the canning steps below.
🫙 How to Can Your Pear Sauce (Water Bath Method)
If you want to preserve your pear sauce to enjoy months later, here’s how to safely can it:
Step 1: Sterilize the Jars
Wash jars and lids in hot soapy water and rinse well.
Boil jars in a water bath for 10 minutes to sterilize. Keep hot until ready to fill.
Step 2: Fill the Jars
Using a funnel, ladle hot pear sauce into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch of headspace.
Remove air bubbles with a non-metallic spatula.
Wipe rims clean and apply sterilized lids and bands until fingertip-tight.
Step 3: Process in a Water Bath
Place jars in a water bath canner or large pot, ensuring they are covered by at least 1 inch of water.
Bring to a boil and process for 10 minutes.
Remove jars with a jar lifter and let cool completely.
Step 4: Check Seals and Store
Press the center of each lid; if it doesn’t pop back, the jar is sealed.
Label jars with the date and store in a cool, dark place. Properly sealed jars last up to 1 year.
🌟 Pro Tips for the Best Pear Sauce
Use ripe pears: Bartlett or Bosc are ideal.
Adjust sweetness: Taste before storing; add sugar or honey if needed.
Flavor variations: Experiment with cardamom, ginger, or cloves.
Texture control: Chunky vs. smooth is entirely up to you.
Freezing option: Portion into freezer-safe containers if not canning.
🍏 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Homemade pear sauce is:
Easy & no-waste: Perfect for imperfect fruit.
Versatile: Great on breakfasts, desserts, or as a snack.
Long-lasting: With canning, enjoy your pear sauce all year.
Cozy & aromatic: Brings the scent of fall spices to your kitchen.
Ingredients 📝
Pears: 8–10 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and chopped
Lemon juice: 2 teaspoons
Water: ¼ cup
Spices:
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
⏱️ Time Estimates
Prep: 10–15 minutes
Cook: 25–30 minutes
Mash/Blend: 5 minutes
Canning: 10 minutes
Total: 45–60 minutes
