Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (2024)

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Pear compote is simple to make and can bring any meal to the next level! Add this to your regular recipe rotation!Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (1)

Have some ripe pears you need to use? This pear compote is a simple and delicious way to use pears when they’re in season. It’s so versatile and can be a part of your dinner or dessert!

What is a Compote?Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (2)

A compote is a fruit dish that can be served as either a side, topping, or dessert. It typically consists of whole or cut up fruit, sugar or sweetener, water or juice(depending on the fruit used), and spices.

The main difference between compote and jam is spreadability. Compote can be blended or left with a chunkier texture, but it’s typically not spreadable like jam. While compotes are typically sweetened, they often use much less sweetener than a jam would.\

Recipe Ingredients–What You Need

Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (3)

This easy recipe is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find.

5 ripe pears

Pears are a good source of dietary fiber, which is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. They’re also a good source of vitamins C and K, as well as copper and potassium. Using ripe pears in this recipe will result in a sweeter compote that cooks more quickly and doesn’t need any water. If your fresh pears aren’t ripe, allow them to ripen on your counter for a few days before making this recipe.

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

Brown sugar is often used to sweeten fruit compote recipes, but I opted to sweeten this without any refined sugar. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that’s lower on the glycemic index than regular sugar, meaning it won’t cause your blood sugar levels to spike quite as quickly. (It’s still sugar, of course, and should be eaten in moderation.) It’s also a good source of antioxidants and minerals like zinc and manganese.

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that’s rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels. It also gives a warm, distinctive flavor to this pear compote recipe.

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Ginger is another spice with anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also been shown to be helpful in alleviating nausea and indigestion. The warming addition of ginger pairs perfectly with pear and I love the flavor it adds to this recipe!

1/4 teaspoon salt

Salt brings out the flavor of the pears.

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Nutmeg adds more warm, spicy flavor to the compote. If you don’t have fresh nutmeg, use a dash of ground nutmeg.

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps boost the immune system. It also adds a bright, fresh flavor to this compote recipe.

1 teaspoon lemon zest

Lemon zest is a good source of flavonoids, which are antioxidants that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. The zest also adds to the citrus flavor of this recipe.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla extract is a good source of vanillin, which is an antioxidant that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. It also gives a lovely flavor to this recipe.

Recipe Instructions: How to Make Pear Compote

Step 1Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (4)

Use a pairing knife to peel and cut your pear into small cubes.

Step 2Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (5)

Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low heat and allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the pears have softened and the liquid reduces and thickens to a syrup.Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (6)

Cooking time will vary based on how ripe your pears are to begin with.

Step 3

Allow your pear compote to cool and then transfer it to an airtight container. Serve warm or at room temperature. The compote can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. See notes below for all the different ways you can use this delicious pear compote!

Recipe VariationsPear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (7)

  • I love the chunky texture, but if you prefer a smoother compote, you can use an immersion blender to blend it, or transfer it to a regular blender or food processor and pulse it until it’s your desired texture.
  • For an apple-pear compote recipe, combine equal parts diced pears with diced apples and keep the rest of the recipe the same.
  • For a more intense vanilla flavor, use vanilla bean paste in place of the pure vanilla extract.

How to Use Pear Compote

There are endless uses for your delicious compote. Here are some ideas to get you started!

  • For an easy dessert, serve it on top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • This pear compote is great with breakfast! Serve it on top of waffles, French toast, or these Healthy Pancakes!
  • Pear compote is the perfect accompaniment for a number of dinner proteins. Serve it with pork chops, a mild white fish, or these Baked Bone-In Chicken Breasts.

If you make this pear compote recipe or any of my other healthy recipes,please let me know! I’d love to see a photo–share it onInstagramand I’ll feature you. Please leave a comment and star rating below. It really helps other readers know which recipes are tried and true!

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Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (8)

Pear Compote

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4.8 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Maryea Flaherty of Happy Healthy Mama
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

Pear Compote is a simple side dish or topping that is made with fresh, ripe pears and warming spices.

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 5 ripe pears
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Use a pairing knife to peel and cut your pear into small cubes.
  2. Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low heat and allow to simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the pears have softened and the liquid reduces and thickens to a syrup. Cooking time will vary based on how ripe your pears are to begin with.
  3. Allow your pear compote to cool and then transfer it to an airtight container.

Notes

Serve warm or at room temperature. The compote can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: recipes
  • Method: stove top
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
  • Calories: 88
  • Sugar: 16.6 grams
  • Fat: 0.1 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 0 grams
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 grams
  • Trans Fat: 0 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 22 grams
  • Fiber: 2.9 grams
  • Protein: 0.4 grams
Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a compote prepared by using this method? ›

The recipe or methodology hasn't changed much over the centuries… a compote is simply cooked fruit preserved in a sugar syrup. Compote can be made from fresh or dried fruit, left whole or cut into chunks (although more commonly the latter), and cooked in a sugar syrup with or without spices.

How do you use compote? ›

Compote is fresh, saucy and sweet, and ready in as little as 15 minutes. You can make compote ahead of time and warm it up or throw it onto the stove after dinner. Serve it on ice cream for dessert, yogurt or toast the next morning, or anything else that could use some fruity flavor. You really can't go wrong.

How long does it take for compote to thicken? ›

Combine fruit, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Optional: Add cornstarch mixture to saucepan. Continue to boil until the berries break down and the compote has thickened to desired consistency, or about 2 to 3 minutes.

What makes a good pear? ›

Though light bruising is fine, dark spots or punctures are not. Avoid any pears with large dark or mushy spots and tears in the flesh. He says those are the common indicators of a bad pear, and they mean that the fruit will decay faster than normal. To find a good pear, you'll need to get a little touchy-feely.

How to make compote thicker? ›

If you would like your compote to be thicker , you can add a thickening agent such as cornstarch (make sure to mix it well in water before adding to the compote) or pectin. Simply simmering the fruit for longer with sugar also helps to boil off the extra juice.

How long does homemade compote last? ›

Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To keep compotes for longer, freeze, in batches, in plastic containers so you can defrost only as much as you need. Spices Oriental flavours such as star anise, ginger and cardamom are fantastic for fruit with a rich flavour, such as plums and berries.

What do you put in a compote dish? ›

Compotes are all-purpose serving dishes. These usually footed bowls -- with or without lids or covers -- held special desserts, fruits, candies or sauces, jellies and other foods. Blown or pressed glass compotes provided a culinary presentation method suitable to 19th-century middle-class households.

Should compote be served warm or cold? ›

Compotes are delicious served all by themselves as a dessert at the end of a meal. They are usually served warm but are sometimes chilled.

What is a vintage compote? ›

Antique glassware that features a bowl-shaped container on a pedestal with/or without a lid.

Is fruit compote good for you? ›

Incorporating compote into your diet can aid in maintaining optimal digestive function. Sustained Energy Release: The natural sugars present in the fruits used to prepare seven-fruit compote provide a sustained source of energy, making it an ideal addition to your breakfast or snack routine.

How to thicken fruit compote without cornstarch? ›

5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes
  1. All-Purpose Flour. Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. ...
  2. Arrowroot Powder. If you happen to have this starch on hand, you're in luck: It has the same thickening power as cornstarch, and it creates a beautiful, shiny sauce. ...
  3. Potato Starch. ...
  4. Rice Flour. ...
  5. Tapioca Starch.
Jun 23, 2023

What is the difference between jam and compote? ›

Jam is made from crushed or chopped fruit and sugar, and has a chunky texture. Jelly is made from fruit juice and sugar, and has a smooth, translucent texture. Compote is made from whole or large pieces of fruit that are cooked in a syrup made from sugar and water. It has a thicker texture than jelly.

What is the tastiest 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.

Why does my pear taste bad? ›

Bitter rot on apple and pear fruit is caused by the pathogenic fungi in the Colletrotrichum genus, specifically those species in the C. acutatum and C. gleosporioides species complexes. Bitter rot occurs only on fruit and can penetrate unbroken fruit skin.

What pear is the best tasting? ›

Comice pears are perhaps the best pears for eating raw. They have a great fruity aroma and flavor, as well as a slightly finer, less grainy texture than other pear varieties. They are almost a cross between a Bosc pear and an Asian pear. Comice pears are slightly more rounded and apple-shaped than other pears.

What is compote made of? ›

Compote (or compôte) is French for “mixture.” It is basically a sweet, chunky fruit sauce made with whole or chopped fresh or frozen fruit and sugar. The fruit and sugar are typically cooked on the stovetop for a brief time until the fruit has softened and collapsed into a delicious fruit sauce.

What is compote style? ›

Compote is a style of floral design that allows for a loose and asymmetrical gathering of fresh flowers, which results in a whimsical and romantic feel that is perfect for decorating a wedding or any special occasion.

What is compote in food? ›

Compote or compôte (French for stewed fruit) is a dessert originating from medieval Europe, made of whole or pieces of fruit in sugar syrup. Whole fruits are cooked in water with sugar and spices.

Which of the following is a cooking method used to prepare fruits? ›

Fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits can be simmered or stewed. As with any moist heat cooking method, simmering softens and tenderizes fruits. The liquid used can be water, wine or the juices naturally found in the fruits. Sugar, honey and spices may be added as desired.

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