Red Wine Poached Pears Recipe

Poached pears in red wine
Carlo A/Moment/Getty Images
  • 30 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins,
  • Cook: 20 mins
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ratings (13)

By Stacy Slinkard

Updated 10/03/17

This sweet and savory red wine poached pear recipe plays double duty as the perfect dessert option for cold winter nights or as an elegant brunch dish. The recipe maximizes the pear's natural sweetness, combining it with a fruit-forward red wine and highlighting both with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla. A truly decadent treat!

What You'll Need

  • 4-6 Peeled, Cored and Sliced Pears (recommend Bosc or Anjou)
  • 1 1/2 cups of red wine (recommend Zinfandel, Shiraz or Merlot)
  • 3/4 cups of granulated sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice (can also add lemon zest if desired)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 teaspoons of cinnamon

How to Make It

  1. Combine all ingredients, except pears, and bring to a boil.
  2. Once the wine mixture is boiling, turn heat down to a simmer and add the pears.
  3. Simmer pears for 10 to 12 minutes, turn pears over and simmer for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are tender and are easily poked through with a fork.
  4. Remove pears and let them cool.
  5. Boil wine sauce until the liquid has been reduced by half.
  6. Pour sauce over pears and serve with either mascarpone, crème fraiche or Devonshire cream.
    Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
    Calories 286
    Total Fat 0 g
    Saturated Fat 0 g
    Unsaturated Fat 0 g
    Cholesterol 0 mg
    Sodium 6 mg
    Carbohydrates 63 g
    Dietary Fiber 8 g
    Protein 1 g
    (The nutrition information on our recipes is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. Individual results may vary.)