Red Wine Poached Pears Recipe
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Poached pears is my go-to dessert when I want to impress without the stress. Poached in red wine, honey, citrus, and warm spices, it’s a simple yet elegant dessert you can enjoy on holidays, special dinners, or a cozy night in. All you need are a few simple ingredients and 45 minutes to make this treat!
Mango cheesecake has always been my favorite dessert to make for entertaining, until I tasted poached pears in red wine. Such a surprise when I tried this treat for the first time at the opening of a friend’s restaurant. I was skeptical, but one bite was all I needed to know why it had a place on her menu.
The pears turn tender, with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. And even though they have soaked up the deep flavors of the wine and the warmth of spices, they’re never overly rich or heavy. We love this for special celebrations, or even date night at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 10-minute prep
- Simple ingredients
- Warm, cozy flavors
- Serve warm or cold: Serve warm with the spiced poaching syrup, or make ahead and serve chilled with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Customizable: Easily switch up the wine or spices to match your taste or what you have on hand.
- Make-ahead friendly: They taste even better after chilling the syrup, so you can prep them hours in advance.
How to Make Poached Pears
You’ll need just 6 simple ingredients and about 45 minutes to make these red wine poached pears. The pears gently simmer in a spiced red wine syrup until tender, taking on rich flavor and a stunning jewel-toned color.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Pears: Bosc pears are the go-to choice for poaching because they hold their shape beautifully even after simmering in hot liquid. Plus, their sweet yet subtly spicy flavor pairs perfectly with red wine and warm spices.
- Red wine: Use Merlot, Shiraz, or Sauvignon.
- Orange juice: Freshly-squeezed is best, but bottled works in a pinch.
- Honey
- Cloves
- Cinnamon sticks
Step-By-Step Instructions
To make this delicious poached pear dessert, just make the poaching liquid, submerge the pears in it, simmer, and cool. You can reduce the leftover poaching liquid into a syrup for drizzling before serving.
Step 1: Make the poaching liquid
In a medium saucepan, combine red wine, orange juice, honey, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Stir to mix well.
Step 2: Add the pears
Place the peeled pears in the pot, making sure they are mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 3: Simmer until tender
Reduce the heat to medium and simmer the pears for 35 to 45 minutes, turning them gently every 5 to 10 minutes for even flavor and color.
Step 4: Let the flavors settle
Once the pears are tender and richly infused, remove the pan from heat and let them cool slightly in the poaching liquid.
Step 5: Serve with syrup
Spoon some of the spiced wine syrup over the top and serve.
Substitutions
It shouldn’t be hard to find the ingredients for this red wine poached pears recipe, but if you prefer to use alternatives, try these easy swaps!
- Pears: Can’t find Bosc pears? Try Anjou pears which stay juicy and tender, or Bartlett pears which soften more quickly. Just adjust cooking time to avoid over-poaching.
- Red wine: Use pomegranate juice for a non-alcoholic dish.
- Orange juice: Substitute with apple cider or cranberry juice.
- Honey: Swap with maple syrup or brown sugar.
- Cinnamon sticks: Use star anise or cardamom pods instead.
Expert Tips
- Choose a wine you’d drink: The flavor of the poaching liquid is concentrated, so use a red wine you love. Avoid anything too sweet.
- Keep pears upright: If they float on their sides, gently rotate them every few minutes so the color and flavor coat evenly.
- Brighten the dish: Toss in a strip of orange or lemon peel for an extra layer of brightness in the syrup.
- Pair with texture: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, mascarpone, or a scoop of ice cream to contrast the soft pears with something creamy.
- Keep leftover syrup: Don’t toss it! Spoon it over yogurt, pancakes, or even use it as a base for a festive cocktail.
- Make it ahead: These pears actually taste better the next day, as the flavors deepen while resting in the poaching liquid.
How to Store This Recipe
Let the pears cool completely in the poaching liquid, then transfer them (still in the liquid) to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, and the flavors only get deeper as they sit.
If you want to serve them warm again, gently reheat the pears and syrup together on the stove over low heat until just warmed through. Avoid boiling so they don’t over-soften.
What to Serve with Poached Pears
Poached pears are elegant on their own, but they really shine when paired with the right accompaniments. As mentioned above, they go well with whipped cream, mascarpone, crème fraîche, or a scoop of ice cream for a creamy contrast. If you want a bit of crunch, candied nuts, biscotti, or crisp shortbread cookies make a perfect pairing.
On the savory side, sliced poached pears elevate a cheese board; try them with blue cheese, brie, or aged cheddar for a sweet-salty balance. They’re also delicious served alongside roasted meats like pork or duck, where their natural sweetness complements the richness of the dish. For drinks, go with dessert wine, a bold red, or even spiced chai or espresso.
More Fruity Desserts To Try
- Fruit salad with Cool Whip
- White chocolate mousse with raspberries
- Peach cobbler
- Puff pastry apple hand pies
- No-bake apricot tart
Poached Pears In Red Wine
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine red wine, orange juice, honey, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Stir to mix well.
- Place the peeled pears in the pot, making sure they are mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium and simmer the pears for 35 to 45 minutes, turning them gently every 5 to 10 minutes for even flavor and color.
- Once the pears are tender and richly infused, remove the pan from heat and let them cool slightly in the poaching liquid.
- Spoon some of the spiced wine syrup over the top and serve.
Notes
- Use a red wine you enjoy but skip anything too sweet.
- If the pears tip on their sides, gently turn them every few minutes for even color and flavor.
- Add a strip of orange or lemon peel to brighten the syrup.
- Pair with whipped cream, mascarpone, or ice cream for a creamy contrast.
- Save the syrup; it’s great on yogurt, pancakes, or even as a cocktail base.
- The pears taste even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
