Homemade pear compote is peeled, quartered pears tossed with lemon juice and simmered covered in water with sugar and a cinnamon stick for about 10 minutes until tender, then cooled, optionally blended, and chilled. It takes 30 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.
A childhood favorite made with natural fruit, served as dessert or as a gentle snack for someone who is unwell.
How to Make Pear Compote?
Choose the variety you like, but not overripe. Lemon juice keeps the fruit from browning, and sugar and cinnamon are optional to taste.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of pear compote contains approximately 150 kcal, 0 g of protein, 0 g of fat, 38 g of carbohydrates, 30 g of sugars, and 1 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.
Homemade Pear Compote Recipe
Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) of pears
- 200 ml (¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon) of water
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Instructions
- Wash and peel the pears completely, remove the seeds, cut into quarters, and toss gently in a bowl with the lemon juice.
- In a medium pot, combine the water, sugar, and cinnamon stick, stir to dissolve, and add the pears. Bring to a boil over high heat, lower the heat, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes or until the pears are tender.
- Taste and adjust. Let cool to room temperature. If you like, purée the fruit with a stick blender, then chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Serve as a dessert, sprinkled with a pinch of cinnamon, with a scoop of ice cream, or as an ingredient in other dishes.
Additional Tips
Store in jars
For larger batches, use clean, sterilized glass jars for proper storage.
Adjust the thickness
Use less water for a thicker compote or more for a looser one.
Not too ripe
Overripe pears fall apart and make a watery compote.
Sugar optional
Leave out the sugar and let the fruit’s sweetness shine.
| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar | Honey | 1 tbsp | Floral |
| Cinnamon | Star anise | 1 | Licorice note |
| Pears | Pears and apples | 500 g + 500 g | More body |
| Chunky | Puréed | To taste | Smooth, baby friendly |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which pears are best for compote?
Any variety you like, as long as they are not overripe, since they fall apart and the compote turns watery. Peel, seed, and quarter them.
2. Why add lemon?
To keep the peeled pears from browning; a teaspoon of lemon juice is enough, and it balances the sweetness.
3. How do I make it thicker or thinner?
Adjust the water: the recipe uses 200 ml for 1 kg of pears. For a smooth compote, blend after cooking.
4. Can I make it without sugar?
Yes, sugar and cinnamon are optional. With just 2 tablespoons for 1 kg of pears, you can omit them and taste at the end.
5. How do I store it?
Cool to room temperature and refrigerate; for larger batches use clean, sterilized jars.
What Does Compote Mean?
The word compote comes from the French compote, from the Latin componere, to put together.
Did You Know?
Pears come from temperate regions of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, where they have been grown for more than 3,000 years, and the Greeks and Romans spread them around the Mediterranean.
How to adapt this recipe to a vegan or vegetarian version?
How to adapt this recipe to a gluten-free version?
How to adapt this recipe to a keto (ketogenic) version?
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