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Stewed Pears

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Stewed pears are an easy, cozy dessert made with ripe pears, warm spices, and a hint of sweetness. Perfect over yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream for a comforting treat any time of day.

A white bowl filled with stewed pears in syrup, garnished with a cinnamon stick. Fresh pears and lemon halves are in the background on a wooden surface.

When I want something warm, simple, and just sweet enough, I always come back to these stewed pears. They’re one of those easy recipes that feel like a small luxury, especially when you serve them over something creamy like yogurt or ice cream. I started making them during the colder months, but honestly, they’ve earned a spot in my kitchen year-round.

What I love most is how versatile they are. You can serve them for breakfast, as a snack, or turn them into dessert with zero effort. The pears soak up the warm spices and become so soft and flavorful—it tastes like comfort in a bowl. And if you’re like me and sometimes overbuy fruit, this is the perfect way to rescue those ripe pears before they go to waste.

This recipe also makes your kitchen smell amazing while it cooks, like you’ve been baking all day, even though it only takes about 20 minutes. It’s the kind of simple dish that feels special without needing a lot of ingredients or time. If you’ve never tried Stewed Pears before, this might just become your new go-to when you want something cozy and low-effort.

Items Needed

Sliced pears soaking in a bowl, surrounded by whole and halved pears, lemons, brown sugar, and a cinnamon stick on a wooden board and white surface.

Here’s what you’ll need to make stewed pears:

  • Ripe pears – Provide natural sweetness and a tender texture perfect for stewing.
  • Water – Helps cook the pears evenly and creates a base for the spiced syrup.
  • Brown sugar – Adds rich, caramel-like sweetness and deepens the flavor.
  • Cinnamon stick – Infuses the dish with warm, cozy spice that complements the pears.
  • Lemons – Brighten the flavor, balance the sweetness, and help prevent the pears from browning.

Tools you’ll need

Before starting the recipe, you’ll want to have all your kitchen essentials ready. I recommend having the following items:

  • Cutting board and knife
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Medium to large pot
  • Measuring cups/spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Ladle or slotted spoon

Ways To Customize

Here are some easy ways to customize this stewed pears:

  • Use different spices – Try adding star anise, cloves, nutmeg, or ground ginger for a different warm spice profile.
  • Swap the sweetener – Use honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar instead of brown sugar for a slightly different flavor.
  • Add vanilla – A splash of vanilla extract at the end of cooking adds extra depth and a cozy aroma.
  • Include dried fruit – Toss in raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates while cooking for added texture and sweetness.
  • Use different citrus – Try orange juice or zest in place of lemon for a more mellow, citrusy twist.
  • Serve it your way – Enjoy warm or chilled, and pair with yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, or even a scoop of ice cream.

How To Make It

A hand squeezes a lemon into a glass bowl of water. Nearby are two cinnamon sticks, a bowl of brown sugar, and two green apples on a white surface.

Create a lemon water bath by squeezing the juice of 2 lemons into a bowl with 1 cup of water.

A person slices a pear on a wooden cutting board, with more pear slices, a bowl of water, and a small bowl of brown sugar nearby.

Quarter, peel, and core the pears, placing the slices in the lemon water as you go to keep them from browning.

A hand stirs a dark liquid in a white pot with a wooden spoon; a cinnamon stick is visible in the liquid.

In a pot, combine ½ cup of brown sugar with 1 cup of water and a cinnamon stick. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

A white saucepan filled with pear slices soaking in a dark liquid, possibly for poaching or cooking.

Carefully add the pears to the pot, along with the juice of 1 lemon (straining out any seeds). Add enough water to cover the pears.

Sliced apples simmering in a saucepan with bubbling liquid, viewed from above.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes until the pears are tender.

A close-up of a spoon holding a slice of cooked pear above a bowl containing more pear slices in syrup.

Check the pears by gently piercing them with the tip of a small knife. They are ready when the knife glides through easily.

Use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the pears from the liquid and place them into a bowl.

Broth is being poured through a mesh strainer containing cooked potato wedges over a white surface.

Strain the syrup and pour it over the pears.

A white bowl filled with stewed pear slices in syrup, garnished with a cinnamon stick, sits on a wooden board with whole pears and lemon slices in the background.

Let the pears cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled. For the best flavor, serve the next day after chilling.

Note

Keep the heat low and simmer gently—this helps the pears cook evenly without falling apart, so they stay tender but still hold their shape.

Oval dish filled with cooked pear slices in syrup, garnished with a cinnamon stick, placed on a wooden board next to fresh pears, lemon halves, and more cinnamon sticks.

Storage

To store stewed pears, let them cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container along with their cooking liquid. Keep them in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days. The liquid helps keep the pears moist and flavorful as they sit.

If you’d like to reheat them, simply warm the pears and some of the syrup in a small saucepan over low heat until heated through. You can also microwave them in short intervals, stirring gently in between to ensure even heating. They’re also delicious served cold or at room temperature, especially over yogurt or oatmeal.

Helpful Hints

Pro tip: Ripe, Firm, Softened!

Use pears that are ripe but still firm—they’ll soften beautifully during cooking without turning to mush.

Here are more helpful hints for making this recipe:

  • Choose Bartlett or Anjou pears for the best balance of sweetness and texture.
  • Don’t skip the acid (like lemon juice); it keeps the pears from browning and adds brightness.
  • Stir gently while cooking to avoid breaking the pears apart.
  • Taste the syrup as it simmers and adjust the sweetness or spice to your liking.
  • Let the stewed pears sit for a bit after cooking—the flavors deepen as they rest.
A white bowl filled with poached pear slices in syrup, garnished with a cinnamon stick, sits on a wooden board next to fresh pears and a halved lemon.

Serving Suggestions

Stewed pears make a delicious topping for Brioche French Toast, adding a warm, spiced sweetness that pairs perfectly with the rich, buttery bread. The syrup seeps into each slice, giving it an extra layer of flavor without overwhelming the dish. It’s an easy upgrade that turns a simple breakfast into something special.

They also work surprisingly well with a savory dish like Smoked Salmon Frittata. The natural sweetness and gentle spice of the pears contrast beautifully with the smoky, salty notes of the eggs and salmon. It’s a great way to offer both flavor profiles on a brunch menu without much extra effort.

Whether you’re going sweet, savory, or a little of both, stewed pears can easily round out your meal. Try pairing them with bold breakfast dishes like French toast or frittata for a cozy and satisfying combination.

FAQs

Firm, ripe varieties like Bartlett, Anjou, or Bosc are ideal because they hold their shape well while softening during cooking.

Yes, they store well in the fridge for up to 5 days and can be served cold, at room temperature, or gently reheated before serving.

You can do either, but peeling the pears gives a smoother texture and allows the flavors to soak in more fully.

Recipe

A white bowl filled with poached pear slices in syrup, garnished with a cinnamon stick. Whole pears and sliced lemons are in the background.

Stewed Pears

These easy stewed pears are tender, spiced, and sweet—perfect over oatmeal, yogurt, or ice cream for a cozy breakfast or simple dessert.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 112 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 ripe pears
  • 1 cup of water plus enough water to submerge the pears in the pot
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 lemons plus 1 lemon

Instructions
 

  • Create a lemon water bath by squeezing the juice of 2 lemons into a bowl with 1 cup of water. Quarter, peel, and core the pears, placing the slices in the lemon water as you go to keep them from browning.
  • In a pot, combine ½ cup of brown sugar with 1 cup of water and a cinnamon stick. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
  • Carefully add the pears to the pot, along with the juice of 1 lemon (straining out any seeds). Add enough water to cover the pears. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes until the pears are tender.
  • Check the pears by gently piercing them with the tip of a small knife. They are ready when the knife glides through easily.
  • Use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the pears from the liquid and place them into a bowl.
  • Strain the syrup and pour it over the pears.
  • Let the pears cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled. For the best flavor, serve the next day after chilling.

Notes

  • Begin with ripe pears, as they’re softer and easier to stew.
  • Sweeten to your liking with honey, agave syrup, sugar, or maple syrup.
  • For added flavor, toss in a couple of cinnamon sticks—its spice complements the pears’ natural sweetness.

Nutrition

Calories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 161mgFiber: 4gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 0.5mg
Keyword pears
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