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)

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Two tightly wrapped cabbage rolls covered in tomato sauce with a parsley garnish.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

This variation of an old and much-loved recipe can be changed in many ways depending on the ingredients you have on hand.
Prepare:
30 to 45 minutes
Cook:
1 hour
Makes:
12 rolls
Tabouli Bulgur Wheat Salad
Bowl of vegetables with bulgur and dressing.

Tabouli Bulgur Wheat Salad

Tasty make-ahead salad with hearty whole grains, fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing.
Prepare:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
West African Peanut Soup
Bowl of creamy soup with a tomato and peanut base with vegetables and chicken.

West African Peanut Soup

A quick-to-make soup recipe with warm curry spices, chicken breast and a hint of red pepper.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Quinoa Salad
Bowl of quinoa with a colorful vegetable mix.

Quinoa Salad

Quick and healthy quinoa salad made with fresh vegetables and a tangy garlic dressing.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Tropical Carrot Salad
Bowl of shredded carrots with pineapples and raisins in a yogurt dressing.

Tropical Carrot Salad

Sweet and savory salad with crunchy carrots, sweet raisins and a creamy dressing.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Ginger Almond Asparagus
Sauteed asparagus slices with slivered almonds in a small bowl.

Ginger Almond Asparagus

A healthy vegetable side dish that combines sauteed asparagus with crunchy almonds.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 Cups