Easy Pear Butter is the best way to kickoff the fall season (not to mention canning it and gifting it for others)! Smother it over your toast, biscuit, or English muffin for the ultimate comfort food! Pears are abundant this time of year and similar to apple butter, this pear butter is one delicious twist to a fall fruit preserve-type spread. My simple and healthy pear butter recipe is naturally dairy free, gluten free, and vegetarian. If you’re looking for a vegan option, sub agave for honey.
My easy and simple pear butter recipe contains pears, honey (for vegan, use agave), fresh lemon juice, ground cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg, and is done in just under one hour. The quality and unsurpassed flavors that this pear butter provides makes it one of the best fall snacks and I can assure you, we’ll be spreading this mouthwatering pear butter on EVERYTHING! From quick breakfasts to fruit desserts, we love dipping apple and pear slices in this pear-meets-cinnamon butter which is so insanely delicious!
How do I use pear butter?
Pear butter tastes delicious spread over toast, English muffins, or over biscuits. You could even top a peanut butter sandwich with it as it closely resembles a pear preserve. Topping pear butter over a warm bowl of oatmeal makes one cozy breakfast.
Ingredients in Easy Pear Butter
Pears. Any type of pears can be used although they need to be ripe. Three pounds of pears is about 6 pears.
Honey. Honey helps bind the ingredients as well as acts as a natural sweetener.
Lemon. Freshly squeezed lemon juice tastes so much fresher than pre-bottled lemon juice and adds a citrusy taste, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor.
Cinnamon. Cinnamon provides spice, flavor, and nutrition.
Salt. Salt adds seasoning and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Nutmeg. A pinch of ground nutmeg goes a long way and offers a nutty flavor that balances well with the cinnamon.
How to make the best pear butter
STEP 1: Add the pears, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
STEP 2: Reduce the heat to low-medium heat. Cover with a lid, leaving a small opening. Let simmer for 45 minutes, stirring every couple minutes so the fruit doesn’t burn on the bottom. Once it has thickened and reduced, remove from heat and pour into a food processor or blender. Pulse or blend until smooth. If you like, you can blend chunky or smooth although I recommend over-mixing as the mixture can become too thin and pureed. If you prefer, you can skip the food processing and blending if you wish to have large chunks of pears.
STEP 3: Pour the mixture into canning jars such as Mason jars (or other canning jars) or store in an airtight lidded container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
STEP 4: If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
Benefits of pears
Pears are nutrient rich, providing folate, vitamin A, and niacin. Healthline’s post reports that pears are a rich source of important minerals such as copper and potassium. Copper plays a role in immunity, cholesterol metabolism, and nerve function where potassium helps with cardiovascular function and muscle contractions. Pears are packed with polyphenol antioxidants which protect against free radicals which naturally occur from living every day life. The skin of the pear boosts up to 6 times more polyphenols than the flesh so be sure to eat the skin.
Should I refrigerate pear butter?
Yes, pear butter should be refrigerated and will stay up to 3 weeks in the fridge. If you can the pear butter, you can leave unopened jars in the pantry but as soon as you open the jar, chill it in the fridge for up to three weeks.
Do I leave the skins on or peel them?
I leave the pear skin intact, but if you wish to peel the pears, feel free!
What kind of pears should I use?
We love Bartlett pears best, but softer pears including Anjou, Comice, or Concord will work as long as they’re ripe.
Health benefits of lemon
Make sure to use fresh lemon juice and avoid using pre-bottled lemon juice as the quality and taste will suffer with pre-bottled lemon juice. Lemons may support heart health, control weight, and help with digestive health. According to Healthline’s article, lemons are packed with vitamin C, fiber, and numerous beneficial plant compounds.
The fiber and plant compounds in lemons can significantly reduce some heart disease risk factors as well as reduce cholesterol levels. Lemons have been known to aid in weight loss as the soluble pectin fiber in them expands in your stomach, helping you feel fuller. Lemons may prevent kidney stones, protect against anemia, and reduce your cancer risk.
Recommended items to make this recipe
- Medium saucepan. This is a great medium saucepan with a lid.
- Food processor. This is a fantastic food processor.
- Rubber spatula. These are my favorite rubber spatulas!
- Mason jars. I love these Mason jars for canning my pear butter.
More recipes you’ll love!
Sizzler Cheese Toast Copycat Recipe
Homemade Strawberry Nutri-Grain Bars
Homemade Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups
Egg and Veggie Breakfast Muffins
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this easy pear butter, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this recipe and always do my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your recipe photos!
Easy Pear Butter Recipe
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
- Mason jars or canning jars, optional
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pears cored and diced; can leave skin on or peel
- 3 tbsp honey for vegan, sub agave
- ½ medium lemon, juiced
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt I use pink salt for everything; feel free to use that or table salt
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Add the pears, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low-medium heat. Cover with a lid, leaving a small opening. Let simmer for 45 minutes, stirring every couple minutes to prevent the fruit from burning on the bottom. Once it has thickened and reduced, remove from heat and pour into a food processor or blender. Pulse or blend until smooth. If you like, you can blend chunky or smooth although I recommend over-mixing as the mixture can become too thin and pureed. If you prefer, you can skip the food processing and blending if you wish to have large chunks of pears.
- Pour the mixture into canning jars such as Mason jars or store in an airtight lidded container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
- If you make this, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
Notes
- If your mixture is too thin, you can pour it into a strainer to drain out the excess liquid. To thicken the mixture, you can also pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and simmer until it reduces and thickens to desired consistency.
- Store extra pear butter in a canning jar or Mason in your refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition (per serving)
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Elise’s Kitchen Favorites
My first attempt at pear butter and this recipe was great. I love that it uses honey instead of sugar. I pureed the pears before cooking but that was just my preference.
I’m so happy you liked it! We love it with honey 🙂