Pear Compote: Simple + Delicious Recipe

Pear compote is simple to make and can bring any meal to the next level! Add this to your regular recipe rotation!

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?

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

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 1

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

Step 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.

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 Variations

• 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 on Instagram and 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

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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.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 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

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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