Name: Cider Poached Pears
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 ripe Green Anjou pears*; 2 cups apple cider; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

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Cider poached pears are naturally gluten free and vegan. This simple poached pear recipe takes just 6 ingredients and 25 minutes to make.

Originally published 10/29/14. Updated with new tips and photos 10/12/18.

It's pear season! In addition to apples, pumpkins, and cranberries, pears are also in season right now.

I love pears in my salad (especially when there’s also bleu cheese or goat cheese!). They’re also really good for breakfast with yogurt or as a healthier dessert option – like these cider poached pears.

Not only are these poaches pears healthy, but they’re also an easy and delicious fall dessert. Plus, they make your house smell amazing as they cook.

Poached pears look super fancy, but they couldn't be much simpler to make.

You can use a variety of liquids to poach pears. Wine is traditionally used, but, really, you can use lots of different liquids (like coconut milk!).

I used apple cider and “warm” spices because I wanted to stick with fall flavors for this dish.

How to pick a ripe pear

So, when you’re picking out your pears, how do you tell if a pear is ripe? It's actually really easy - just apply gentle pressure to the narrow "neck" of the pear with your thumb.

If it yields to pressure, it's ripe. However, you can also poach under-ripe pears, which is what I did.

I’m a big texture person. I like my fruit borderline under-ripe. Also, when they're a little under-ripe they hold up well to poaching.

I also like my pears to be almost tender-crisp, so I started off with pears that were under-ripe.
And these cider poached pears were fantastic! The pears soak up the spices and cider, and the cider cooks down to make a delicious syrup.

How to serve poached pears

In addition to serving poaches pears with yogurt for breakfast, these pears would also be good with pancakes, waffles, or crepes. I suggest spooning the syrup over the pears when you serve them.

If you’ve tried this cider poached pear recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes! You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

Cider Poached Pears

Pears poached in spiced cider

5 from 1 vote

Print Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: servings

Calories: 159kcal

Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

Ingredients

Instructions

Peel pears, and slice in half lengthwise.
Leave the stems but remove the core.
In a large, shallow skillet, bring apple cider and spices just to boil over medium heat.
Add pears.
Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer pears until tender, about 20-25 minutes. I flip my pears over half way through.
Serve pears warm with cider spooned over the top.

Notes

*Check out the section above the recipe for tips on choosing ripe pears.
**Nutrition values are estimates.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!

Comments

christine g. Culverwell

June 27, 2019 at 4:37 pm

Would the pears poached in cider still contain alcohol after cooking?
I'm on medication that doesn't allow alcohol. A lovely recipe otherwise.

- Kate
  
  June 27, 2019 at 8:35 pm
  
  Hi! The cider is just regular apple cider; it isn't a hard cider. So, there won't be any alcohol in the dish. Hope that helps! =)
  
Lisa

November 29, 2018 at 11:51 am

Poached pear recipe

- Kate
  
  November 29, 2018 at 1:55 pm
  
  Hi! Did you find the recipe ok?
  
Linda

October 22, 2018 at 9:49 am

Lovely dessert! This was very easy to make, and it made my house smell wonderful as it cooked. I'll make this again as it is a healthy dessert.

- Kate
  
  October 22, 2018 at 2:00 pm
  
  Thank you so much! And thank you for leaving a comment. =)
  
Suzanne

October 08, 2016 at 8:18 am

Hi can you confirm how much cider you put in. This looks amazing

- Kate
  
  October 08, 2016 at 10:48 am
  
  Sure! I used 2 cups of apple cider. Thanks! =)
  
Melanie

November 22, 2015 at 5:43 pm

When did you add in the spices. Or did i miss read?

- Kate
  
  November 22, 2015 at 7:21 pm
  
  No, I left that out. You add them in step #3. Thanks for catching that! =)
  
ellie elliott

January 14, 2015 at 1:28 pm

These look amazing! Thank you for sharing! I cannot wait to try!

- Kate
  
  January 14, 2015 at 3:42 pm
  
  Thank you! Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
  
Kimi

January 12, 2015 at 3:31 am

delicious!!!

- Kate
  
  January 13, 2015 at 1:36 pm
  
  Thank you!
  
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel

October 30, 2014 at 1:22 pm

Yum, these look delicious!! Cider is such a great idea for poaching! Love how easy poaching pears is :)

- Kate
  
  October 31, 2014 at 11:47 am
  
  Thanks so much! By the way, your blog name is really cute!
  
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh

October 29, 2014 at 7:02 am

Poached pears are such an easy dessert with so many flavor choices! I love it! Perfect for the fall.

- Kate
  
  October 29, 2014 at 1:46 pm
  
  They are! I think they're my new favorite healthy dessert. =)