Poached pears in red wine, your next favorite dessert

Close-up of four red wine poached pears in a black bowl, covered in glossy sauce. The rich, vibrant hue cascades over the smooth pears from above, accentuating their elegant texture as they're nestled closely together.

About this recipe

These Red Wine Poached Pears are the perfect choice. With minimal effort, you’ll create a dish that tastes like it came from a fine dining restaurant. This dessert is versatile enough for a romantic dinner or a festive holiday table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortlessly Elegant: The vibrant red hue and glossy syrup make it an instant showstopper.
Minimal Ingredients: You likely already have everything in your pantry or fridge!
Customizable: Adjust the spices or pair with your favorite toppings like mascarpone or caramel sauce.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for entertaining, as you can prepare it in advance and serve it at room temperature.

Five ripe green pears are placed on a beige cloth. Behind them, an open cookbook with a blurred image of a dessert is visible, creating a soft, focused effect on the pears in the foreground. The scene whispers of a calm kitchen atmosphere ready for crafting red wine poached pears.

Ingredients for the poached pears

Pears, Bosc, or Anjou work well
Red wine
Sugar
Orange peel
Cinnamon
Peppercorns
Anis star

How to Make Red Wine Poached pears step-by-step

Peel the Pears
Carefully peel the pears, leaving the stems intact for a beautiful presentation. Trim the bottom slightly so they can stand upright if needed.

Poach the pears:
Once the wine mixture is boiling, carefully add the pears. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes, turning the pears occasionally so they cook evenly. The pears should be tender but still hold their shape.

Tips for Perfect Red Wine Poached Pears

Choose the right pears: Opt for firm varieties that won’t fall apart during cooking.
Spice it up: Feel free to experiment with spices—cloves, cardamom, or even vanilla pods add delightful complexity.
Serve with style: For a creamy contrast, pair your pears with a dollop of mascarpone, Greek yogurt, or vanilla ice cream.

FAQs

Can I make poached pears ahead of time?
Yes! Poached pears can be stored in their syrup in the fridge for up to 3 days. In fact, they taste even better after absorbing the flavors overnight.

What type of wine should I use?
Choose a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Shiraz. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but make sure it’s something you’d enjoy drinking.

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A black bowl contains four glossy red wine poached pears. They are elegantly arranged on a beige cloth with a cookbook peeking beneath. In the background, stacked gray plates with silver cutlery rest atop a light-colored surface, completing the refined setting.

Poached Pears in Red Wine

Alejandra Graf

This recipe is a celebration of simplicity and elegance. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or indulging in a little self-care, these Red Wine Poached Pears will elevate any occasion. Try them tonight and let me know how they turn out!

4.50 de 2 votos

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Total Time 50

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings pears

Calories 303 kcal

Equipment

1 small pot

Ingredients

4 firm pears like Bosc or Anjou
2 cups red wine Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon work beautifully
½ cup sugar adjust to taste
Peel of 1 orange use a vegetable peeler for large strips
1 cinnamon stick
6-10 black peppercorns
½ star anise

Instructions

Prepare the syrup:

In a medium saucepan, combine the red wine, sugar, orange peel, cinnamon, peppercorns, and star anise. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.

Prep the pears:

Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact for a beautiful presentation. Trim the bottoms slightly so they can stand upright if desired.

Poach the pears:

Once the wine mixture is boiling, carefully add the pears. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes, turning the pears occasionally so they cook evenly. The pears should be tender but still hold their shape.

Reduce the syrup:

Remove the pears from the pan and set them aside to cool slightly. Increase the heat to medium-high and let the wine mixture simmer until it reduces to a thick, glossy syrup.

Serve:

Place each pear on a plate or in a dessert bowl, drizzle generously with the spiced red wine syrup, and serve warm or at room temperature. For an extra touch, add whipped cream, mascarpone, or vanilla ice cream on the side.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 303kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 1gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.05gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 367mgFiber: 6gSugar: 43gVitamin A: 51IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg

Keyword pears

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Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.

My friend Pilar, who runs the blog En mi cocina hoy, created this beautiful book with her friends from Chile. It is filled with gorgeous pictures and delicious recipes.

I chose to share this recipe because it’s elegant enough for the holiday season, yet incredibly easy to make. You simply combine a few ingredients and then can completely forget about it while it cooks. I’m confident you will enjoy it as much as we do!

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