Cider poached pears are naturally gluten free and vegan. This simple poached pear recipe takes just 6 ingredients and 25 minutes to make.
It’s pear season! Pears are fantastic in salad (especially when there’s also bleu cheese or goat cheese!). They’re also really good for breakfast with yogurt or as a lighter dessert option – like these cider poached pears.
These poaches pears are an easy and delicious fall dessert. Plus, they make your house smell amazing as they cook.
Poached pears look super fancy, but they are so simple to make. I use apple cider and “warm” spices because I wanted to stick with fall flavors for this dish. The pears soak up the spices and cider, and the cider cooks down to make a delicious syrup.
“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.” – Linda
How to make cider poached pears
Here you’ll find instructions and step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.
Step 1: Peel pears, and slice in half lengthwise. Leave the stems but remove the core.
Step 2: In a large, shallow skillet, bring apple cider and spices just to boil over medium heat.
Step 3: Add pears. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer pears until tender, about 20-25 minutes. I flip my pears over half way through.
Step 4: Serve pears warm with cider spooned over the top.
Recipe Tips!
- How to pick a ripe pear: It’s actually really easy to pick a ripe pear – 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.
- Serving suggestions: In addition to serving poaches pears with yogurt for breakfast, these pears would also be good with pancakes, waffles, or crepes. For dessert, serve the pears with sweetened homemade whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. I suggest spooning the syrup over the pears when you serve them.
Storage
Store any leftover poached pears in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pears will keep for 2-3 days when properly stored in the fridge.
More fall dessert recipes!
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Cider Poached Pears
Ingredients
- 4 ripe Green Anjou pears
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Peel pears, and slice in half lengthwise.4 ripe Green Anjou pears
- Leave the stems but remove the core.
- In a large, shallow skillet, bring apple cider and spices just to boil over medium heat.2 cups apple cider, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 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
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Originally published 10/29/14.
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Comments & Reviews
Isabel Orr says
Can these pears be put in jars for longer keeping? If so, how long would they keep? Thanks
Kate Dean says
Hi! I haven’t canned these pears to say for certain. I have done just enough canning to know that I’m not an expert when it comes to what it safe or not (I follow existing recipes, and that’s it). So, unfortunately, I wouldn’t feel comfortable advising you on that.
Mary Speck says
Easy and tastes great
Kate says
Thanks!
Mary o callaghan says
I’ve two trees of pears not ripe though tried this will do again smell alone was wonderful will have them for dinner 😊
Kate says
Thank you! How wonderful that you have pear trees! We have a couple of young fruit trees, and I look forward to the day when we’ll get fruit from them.
christine g. Culverwell says
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 says
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 says
Poached pear recipe
Kate says
Hi! Did you find the recipe ok?
Linda says
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 says
Thank you so much! And thank you for leaving a comment. =)
Suzanne says
Hi can you confirm how much cider you put in. This looks amazing
Kate says
Sure! I used 2 cups of apple cider. Thanks! =)
Melanie says
When did you add in the spices. Or did i miss read?
Kate says
No, I left that out. You add them in step #3. Thanks for catching that! =)
ellie elliott says
These look amazing! Thank you for sharing! I cannot wait to try!
Kate says
Thank you! Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
Kimi says
delicious!!!
Kate says
Thank you!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Yum, these look delicious!! Cider is such a great idea for poaching! Love how easy poaching pears is :)
Kate says
Thanks so much! By the way, your blog name is really cute!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
Poached pears are such an easy dessert with so many flavor choices! I love it! Perfect for the fall.
Kate says
They are! I think they’re my new favorite healthy dessert. =)