Skip to main content

Microwave Pear Sauce

Enjoy this easy-to-make pear sauce as a fruit snack, or as a topping for pancakes or French toast.
Bowl of chunky textured mashed pears topped with spices.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

8 medium pears, peeled, cored and cut into about 1-inch pieces (about 8 cups) 
1 teaspoon lemon juice 
½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 
½ teaspoon ground ginger (optional) 
½ teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh fruits under running water before preparing.
  3. Place pears and lemon juice in a large microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe cover.
  4. Cook on HIGH for 5 minutes. Let the dish sit for a few minutes, then remove from oven.
  5. Mash pears with a fork, potato masher or hand-held blender. If you would like a smoother sauce, return bowl to the microwave for another 3 to 5 minutes and mash again.
  6. Stir in remaining ingredients, as desired. Enjoy warm or chilled.
  7. Refrigerate leftovers to use within a week or freeze for longer storage. To freeze, place in airtight containers and label with the date. For best quality, use within 2 months.

Notes

  • Frozen and canned pears are easy to make into a sauce.
  • Try other spices such as nutmeg and cardamom.
  • You can leave the pear peels on the fruit for more fiber.
  • No microwave? You can make the recipe in a saucepan on a stovetop or in an electric skillet. Bring pears and lemon juice to a simmer over medium heat. Stir a few times while cooking until the pears have softened, about 15 to 20 minutes. Mash or blend to the thickness you like and add other ingredients, as desired.

Comments

We had a lot of pears this fall and I wasn't sure what to do with them in a short amount of time. Using the microwave to cook the pears was a perfect solution! We do prefer pears to be blended smooth so I used an immersion blender but you could easily use a regular blender. Our favorite spicing was a bit of ginger and vanilla. We enjoyed the sauce as a healthy dessert and also on pancakes. I froze some to use in muffins and quick bread. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Zucchini Stir-Fry
Small bowl with a tender zucchini and vegetable mix.

Zucchini Stir-Fry

Fast veggie stir-fry with lots of umami flavor. Ready in less than 30 minutes!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Garden Sloppy Joes
Open faced buns with a saucy meat and vegetable mix.

Garden Sloppy Joes

Healthy vegetable-packed lunch or dinner favorite!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 Sandwiches
Mix and Match Salad
Recipe Image for Mix and Match Salad - Strawberry Cucumber Salad

Mix and Match Salad

Stay hydrated with fruits and vegetables that are full of water, flavor and nutrients.
Makes:
1 or 2 servings
Quinoa with Cactus
Medium bowl of cactus and vegetables with quinoa.

Quinoa with Cactus

Canned or fresh cactus is combined with tomatoes, garlic and quinoa for a simple and satisfying side dish.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Sautéed Cauliflower Rice
Two bowls of grated cauliflower garnished with parsley.

Sautéed Cauliflower Rice

A fun alternative to rice, this cauliflower rice is a great way to add more veggies to your meals.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Vegetable Beef Soup
Bowl of soup with a tomato base, vegetables and ground meat.

Vegetable Beef Soup

This hearty soup is packed with veggies and pasta.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
12 cups