Homemade Pear Sauce with Lemon
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Homemade pear sauce is soft, naturally sweet, and easy to make with fresh pears. This pear sauce recipe uses a little lemon juice to add brightness and balance the sweetness without needing much sugar. It’s a simple fruit sauce that works well with both breakfast dishes and desserts.
Serve it warm or cold over yogurt, pancakes, oatmeal, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
See more fruit recipes in my Fruit category, including homemade applesauce.
How to Make Pear Sauce with Lemon
Pear sauce is softer and naturally sweeter than applesauce, so it needs less sugar and less cooking time. Pears also release more juice as they cook, which means very little added water is needed.
Peel, core, and chop the pears. Place them in a pot and cook on low heat. The pears will release their own juice as they soften.
Add lemon juice near the end of cooking. Mash or blend to desired smoothness. You can make it chunky or smooth depending on preference. For a very smooth pear sauce, use an immersion blender.
You can leave out the sugar for a naturally sweet, baby-friendly pear sauce. For a slightly warmer flavor, stir in a small splash of vanilla after cooking.
Continue below for the full recipe with ingredients and step-by-step instructions.
Why Is My Pear Sauce Watery?
Pear sauce can turn watery because pears release a lot of natural juice as they cook. If extra water is added, the sauce may become too thin. Simmer the sauce uncovered to allow excess liquid to evaporate, or cook it a few minutes longer until it thickens. Only add a small amount of water if the pears start to stick.
Pear Sauce with Lemon
Delicious homemade pear sauce with lemon. Naturally sweet, easy, and great on breakfast foods or desserts.
Fits vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free diets. Paleo if no extra sugar added.
Ingredients
- 6 small pears, peeled, cored, chopped (about 2 ¾ - 3 cups chopped)
- 2-3 tbsp water (only if needed)
- 2-3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional, add after cooking)
Instructions
- Put chopped pears in a pot.
- Cook on medium-low heat until they begin to release juice. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook 15-20 minutes until very soft. Stir often. If the pears start sticking, add 1-2 tbsp water.
- Add sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in lemon juice.
- Mash or blend to the desired texture.
- Add vanilla extract if using.
Notes
Store leftover pear sauce in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool fully before freezing. Thaw in the fridge and stir well before serving. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 106Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 6gSugar: 17gProtein: 1g
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated. These figures should be considered estimates.
