55 Delicious Pear Recipes You’ll Make Again and Again (2024)

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55 Delicious Pear Recipes You’ll Make Again and Again (1)Dana MeredithUpdated: Nov. 17, 2023

    These fresh pear recipes prove that any way you slice 'em, they'll lend mellow sweetness to sweet and savory dishes alike.

    Fresh Pear Bread

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    When our tree branches are loaded with ripe and juicy fruit, I treat my family and friends to lots of easy pear recipes. I always receive raves and requests for this particular pear bread recipe because of the mix of fun ingredients.—Linda Patrick, Houston, Texas

    Slow-Cooked Gingered Pears

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    My slow cooker allows me to serve a heartwarming dessert without much effort. Topped with caramel sauce, these tender pears feature a surprise filling of nuts and brown sugar.—Catherine Mueller, St. Paul, Minnesota

    Apple-Pear Puff Pancake

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    Whenever I serve this fruity pancake, people think I slaved for hours. They’re surprised that such an attractive, scrumptious dish could be so easy. —Carol Williams, St. Joseph, Missouri

    Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

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    This quick, easy recipe really showcases pears. When I have leftover cooked chicken, I often add it to the recipe to make a main dish salad. —Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina

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    Taste of Home

    I created this twist on a Bellini when a friend gave me some Asian pears she grew in her backyard. If you like ginger and want more of a kick, try substituting ginger liqueur for the vodka. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California

    Cranberry Pear Tart

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    Taste of Home

    This homey tart looks and tastes like apple pie, except it uses pears! Each serving has half the calories of an average pie slice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Caramel and Pear Pudding

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    This is a lovely winter dessert that uses pears that are seasonally available. It’s easy to fix, and a comforting treat after any meal. I enjoy snacking on it in front of the fireplace. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

    Hazelnut Pear Cake

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    From the hazelnuts to the yummy browned butter glaze, this dessert is a little different from an everyday pound cake. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

    Homemade Pear Honey

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    Taste of Home

    Pear honey is an old recipe that’s been passed down through families. We especially like it with hot biscuits and butter. It’s also good on pound cake or even ice cream. Make sure the pears you use are very firm. —Charlotte McDaniel, Jacksonville, Alabama

    Grilled Bistro Breakfast Sandwiches with Pears

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    I used to make a classic breakfast sandwich when my kids were still at home. Now that it’s just my husband and me, I’ve jazzed it up with pear, smoked Gouda and spinach. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan

    Orange and Pear Upside-Down Cake

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    Taste of Home

    I love cooking with my cast-iron skillet, whether it's to make a main dish or dessert. This upside-down cake is a fall version of a typical summer favorite. — Linda Persall, Cullman, Alabama

    Pear Waldorf Pitas

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    Not all pear recipes are sweet! Here’s a guaranteed table brightener. Just stand back and watch these sandwiches vanish. For an eye-catching presentation, I tuck each one into a colorful folded napkin. —Roxann Parker, Dover, Delaware

    Pear Crisp

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    The musical "Waitress"

    Since he’s a livestock truck driver, my husband often starts work around 2 or 3 a.m. A piece of this crisp will keep him going till breakfast. And our two boys—ages 10 and 7—love to have it for dessert and in their school lunches. —Joanne Korevaar, Burgessville, Ontario

    Taste-of-Fall Salad

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    Taste of Home

    My parents stayed with me at a friend’s beautiful ranch for the holidays and I made them this great salad. It turned into every night’s first course. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana

    Pear ‘n’ Fennel Pork

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    Taste of Home

    Fresh fennel has a large bulbous base and pale green stems with wispy foliage. Often mislabeled as sweet anise, it has a sweeter and more delicate flavor than anise. This aromatic matches well with pear. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Pear Upside-Down Cake

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    Using a packaged cake mix speeds up the preparation time of this tasty pear and pecan upside-down cake. This moist cake is pretty to look at and luscious, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Taste of Home

    While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy yet elegant dessert that's perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, Alabama

    Saucy Spiced Pears

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    We serve these tangy, saucy pears over angel food cake, pound cake or with a little yogurt or vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle with a favorite topping. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida

    Apple Pear Cake

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    When my sister Catherine made her apple cake for me, I knew I needed the recipe. When I made it, I added some pears from the trees on our acreage. The resulting apple pear cake is so moist and tastes so good. Now every time I make it, people want my recipe. —Mary Ann Lees, Centreville, Alabama

    Deconstructed Pear Pork Chops

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    You’ll be tempted to eat this main dish right out of the pan but try to resist. These chops are sure to wow guests at the dinner table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Butterscotch Pears

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    Taste of Home

    This grand finale simmers during dinner and impresses as soon as you bring it to the table. Serve as is, or with vanilla ice cream and a slice of pound cake. Leftover pear nectar is heavenly when added to sparkling wine or simply poured over ice. —Theresa Kreyche, Tustin, California

    Almond Pear Tart

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    Taste of Home

    I had never seen a "pie without a pan" until my daughter brought back this wonderful pear almond tart recipe from a Rotary Club exchange program in Belgium. It's still a family favorite after all these years. —Sherry LaMay, Capitan, New Mexico

    Bacon Pear Salad with Parmesan Dressing

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    Taste of Home

    This simple salad is an elegant side dish for any menu. With a blend of fresh pears and warm, comforting flavors, it’s perfect for special meals. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia

    Pear Cake with Sour Cream Topping

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    Taste of Home

    This is a great way to combine bread and fruit for an all-in-one breakfast. The cake is very tasty and the unique topping is simply delicious.

    Cranberry-Pear Apple Crisp

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    With its crunchy golden topping and flavorful blend of tart cranberries and sweet apples and pears, this dessert makes a refreshing finish to heavy winter meals. It’s one of my favorite pear recipes to make during the fall. —Lois Gelzer, Standish, Maine

    Glazed Pear Shortcakes

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    Taste of Home

    Family and friends will savor every last crumb of this lickety-split dessert. The pound cake absorbs the apricot flavor and the warm sweetness of the pears. Special enough to serve company—and cute, too! —Fran Thomas, St. James City, Florida

    Pear Tart

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    My sister-in-law brought this pretty pastry to dinner one night, and we all went back for seconds. It is truly scrumptious and it’s quickly become one of my favorite pear recipes. —Kathryn Rogers, Suisun City, California

    Mushroom Pear Melts

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    I really like mushrooms with cheese. Add pears, broil away, and you have got a scrumptious open-faced sandwich. Serve with a salad and fruity tea. —Marla Hyatt, St. Paul, Minnesota

    Cherry Pear Pie

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    Two of my family's favorite fruits appear in this splendid pie with a nutty streusel topping. I like to serve slices with cherry-vanilla frozen yogurt.—Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

    Toffee-Pear Crisp Bread Pudding

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    My son loves pear crisp, but one night I was making bread pudding. He asked if I could make both. I compromised by combining two desserts into this one dish. It's absolutely fantastic! —Kurt Wait, Redwood City, California

    Roasted Parsnip and Pear Soup

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    Although pears and parsnips may seem like an odd combination, the pears bring out the natural sweetness of the parsnips in this winter soup. Don't skip the topping; it's the best part! —Sara Petrie, Grassie, Ontario

    Gorgonzola-Pear Mesclun Salad

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    This pretty salad is a tasty way to get your greens. To change it up, swap apples for pears and pecans for walnuts. —Joylyn Trickel, Helendale, California

    Spiced Pear Jam

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    The musical "Waitress"

    A neighbor of mine passed along this spiced pear jam recipe. I've given many jars of this jam as gifts. We enjoy it on toast with ham and eggs or on hot rolls with meat. —Karen Bockelman, Portland, Oregon

    Ginger-Lime Pear Cobbler

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    Taste of Home

    We have a huge pear tree in our yard, which is why I came up with this recipe. The tart lime, sweet pears and tangy ginger are a winning combination. —Heather Naas, Lompoc, California

    Caramelized Pears

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    Taste of Home

    After picking an abundant crop of pears, I was looking for new ways to enjoy them. A friend suggested warming them with butter and brown sugar. This tasty recipe was the result! We like them with vanilla bean ice cream, but plain vanilla or cinnamon are also quite delicious! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

    Vanilla Pear Berry Jam

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    Taste of Home

    This is the first jam that I came up with on my own—and I love the flavor combo!—Rachel Creech, Marion, Indiana

    Pear Pandowdy

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    Taste of Home

    I pulled out this pear recipe one night when my husband was craving something sweet, and it was a big hit with both of us. It’s a superb last-minute dessert that almost melts in your mouth. Plus, who doesn’t love a fun treat called a pandowdy? —Jennifer Class, Kirkland, Washington.

    Autumn Pear Bread

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    Taste of Home

    Pears give these little loaves delicious flavor and help keep them nice and moist. They make lovely gifts to share, too. —Mary Lynn Wilson, Linden, Texas

    Caramel Apple-Pear Crisp

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    Taste of Home

    This crisp is packed with a combination of healthy pears and apples, and just the right amount of tasty walnuts in the topping. You'll love it! —Amanda Pettit, Logan, Ohio

    Pear Bundt Cake

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    Taste of Home

    Next time you make cake from a mix, try my easy and delicious recipe. The pears and syrup add sweet flavor and prevent the cake from drying out. It’s one of the easiest pear recipes I’ve made! —Veronica Ross, Columbia Heights, Minnesota

    Pear Harvest Salad

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    We came up with this delicious salad trying to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving. We think you’ll love it, too! —Nancy Prewitt, Beaverton, Oregon

    Fresh Pear Ginger Crisp

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    Gingersnaps lend crunch to my heartwarming cool-weather classic, featuring the season's juiciest fruit—pears.—Linda Robertson, Cozad, Nebraska

    Honeyed Pears in Puff Pastry

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    A honey of a salute to late-summer pear season, this cozy dessert looks both elegant and decadent. Wrapped in puff pastry, the pears resemble little beehives. —Heather Baird, Knoxville, Tennessee

    Rustic Pear Tart

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    I saw a recipe for this rustic tart in a cookbook and wanted to try my own version of it. I changed the spices and chose my own fruits. It is a perfect dessert for fall. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

    Spiced Tea Poached Pears

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    Pears are among my favorite fall fruits. This lovely dessert makes them especially spectacular. Easy elegance at its best—and that’s important around the holidays. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

    Pear Upside-Down Cake

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    Using a packaged cake mix speeds up the preparation time of this tasty fall cake. Topped with pecans and golden pears, this moist cake is pretty to look at and luscious, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Roquefort Pear Salad

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    Taste of Home

    Guests at a barbecue we hosted one summer brought this cool, refreshing salad. Now it’s a mainstay at many of our gatherings year-round. The mingling of zesty tastes and textures instantly wakes up the taste buds. —Sherry Duval, Baltimore, Maryland

    Orange Pear Jam

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    Taste of Home

    Full of fruity flavor, this delightful jam is a great toast topper. I came up with this recipe when a neighbor gave me an armload of pears. Everyone really likes it. —Delores Ward, Decatur, Indiana

    Poached Pears with Vanilla Sauce

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    Taste of Home

    This dessert is a great ending to a special-occasion meal. Whole pears are lightly spiced and chilled, then served with a heavenly custard sauce.—Al Latimer, Bentonville, Arizona

    Home-for-Christmas Fruit Bake

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    Pop this special dish in the oven and mouths will water in anticipation— the cinnamony aroma is tantalizing! The fruit comes out tender and slightly tart, while the pecan halves add a delightful crunch. —Bonnie Baumgardner, Sylva, North Carolina

    Originally Published: August 07, 2017

    55 Delicious Pear Recipes You’ll Make Again and Again (51)

    Dana Meredith

    Dana is an editor and writer who shares her passion for travel, food and the beauty of American landscapes. When she's not wielding her red pen, she can be found tending her flower gardens, remodeling her house, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry or dancing to "Uptown Funk."

    55 Delicious Pear Recipes You’ll Make Again and Again (2024)

    FAQs

    Can I freeze fresh pears? ›

    If planning to use pears uncooked, freeze using juice or water method. Freezing pears using dry packing or in sugar is the best method for pies or other cooked dishes. If planning to use pears in a sweetened jam, jelly, fruit butter, or sauce, try freezing using the juice or water method, but choose unsweetened juice.

    How do you use a lot of pears? ›

    While dessert is probably your first thought (which does make sense, especially because the possibilities for using this fruit in sweet applications are endless), pears are also fabulous in salads and soups, on sandwiches, as warm appetizers and savory snacks, and as an element in your entrée.

    What flavors enhance pears? ›

    Pear: Pairs well with almond, apple, caramel, chestnut, chocolate, cinnamon, citrus, clove, ginger, hazelnut, nutmeg, pecan, raspberry, rosemary, vanilla, and walnut. It mixes best with brandy, port, crème de cassis, Grand Marnier, kirsch, rum, whiskey, and dry red white, and sparkling wines.

    What to do with pears after picking? ›

    What can I do with surplus pears? Jam, chutney, wine and more!
    1. Grate. Pears don't properly ripen until they have been picked. ...
    2. Freeze. Like most fruits, pears are happy to spend a while in the freezer. ...
    3. Jam. ...
    4. Chutney. ...
    5. Booze.

    Can you freeze pears in Ziploc bags? ›

    Yes, you can freeze fruit directly in a Ziploc bag. Just make sure you draw as much air out of the bag to avoid any funky flavors from the freezer. To do this, just put the fruit in the bag and zip it almost to the end.

    What is the best method for freezing pears? ›

    Salt-Water Method: This involves putting sliced pears in a bowl of salt water before freezing. The salt water eliminates the need for a discoloration agent (like lemon juice or a citric acid compound like Fruit Fresh), and the pears maintain their structural integrity during freezing and thawing.

    Do pears detox your body? ›

    Regular, adequate bowel movements are crucial for the daily removal of toxins through bile and stools. Pears have high water content — this helps keep stools soft and flushes the digestive system of toxins.

    Is it OK to eat 2 pears a day? ›

    Eating two pears every day meets your fruit needs as outlined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. What could be sweeter? But Doesn't Fruit Contain Sugar? Sometimes people think that since fruit naturally contains sugar, eating fruit is not appropriate for managing diabetes.

    Do pears last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›

    Just-picked or purchased pears should be ripened at room temperature. On the counter is fine, but keep unripened pears out of the 'fridge. Once ripe, you can store pears in the refrigerator. The cold temperatures will slow the ripening process and they'll keep for 3 to 5 days.

    What is the most delicious pear? ›

    Bartlett (or Williams) Pear: This is the perfect choice when you want a really, really juicy pear. Both red and green Bartletts are also among the sweetest pears you'll find. Bosc Pear: These pears are wonderfully crisp, with a delicate sweet flavor that resembles the stereotypical pear taste perfectly.

    Which pear is the healthiest? ›

    Pears — particularly red varieties — may help decrease diabetes risk. One large older study in over 200,000 people found that eating five or more weekly servings of anthocyanin-rich fruits like red pears was associated with a 23% lower risk of type 2 diabetes ( 34 ).

    What color pear is the sweetest? ›

    Comice. Comice pears were originally cultivated in France. They're known as the sweetest pear variety, and are often the variety shipped in gift boxes. Because of this, they're sometimes given the nickname “the Christmas pear.” Comice pears have light green skin with a blush of pinkish red.

    What month do you pick pears? ›

    It takes a bit of practice and subjective judgment, but you want to harvest the pears while the flesh is still nice and firm, but when the fruit comes away from the branch easily if you twist or turn it to different angles. This generally occurs for us from late August to late September, so start checking those fruits.

    Should pears be peeled before cooking? ›

    Pears can be left unpeeled for eating fresh, but be sure to peel them before cooking. Although the peel is edible, some fruits may have tough skins with a slightly bitter flavor that is accentuated when cooked. Prevent premature browning by dipping cut pears in water mixed with a little lemon juice or vinegar.

    How long will pears last in the refrigerator? ›

    If your pears are about the amount of ripeness you like, storing them in the fridge will keep them that way for three to five days. The refrigerator significantly slows the ripening process but doesn't stop it altogether.

    Can fresh pears be sliced and frozen? ›

    Peel, halve, and core pears, then cut into slices or wedges. Line a cookie sheet or sheet pan with parchment paper, then top that prepared sheet with the sliced pears. Place the sheet and pears in the freezer and allow to freeze solid.

    How long do fresh pears last in freezer? ›

    Once pears are fully frozen, move them to a freezer-safe plastic storage container or zip-top bag. Label and date your pears, and use them within one year.

    How do you preserve fresh pears? ›

    Pears can be preserved by canning, freezing, or drying. They also star in specialty jams, butters, relishes and chutneys! The natural sweetness of dried pears makes them a tasty high energy snack. Although canning is preferred, full-flavored pears that are crisp and firm can be frozen.

    How long do frozen pears last in the freezer? ›

    Frozen fruit will remain safe indefinitely as long as they stay solidly frozen. They will lose quality if they aren't well protected.

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