Learn how to make Pear Preserves to enjoy all year long with a fresh pear flavor that is captured at the peak of the season. Yum!
The Best Pear Preserves
Fall is all about preserving. Preserving food that you can enjoy all year long, picked at the peak of perfection--just when it tastes the freshest.
Pear preserves are perfect for slathering on toast or the perfect biscuits or maybe even one of these reader-favorite cruffins. We also love it with yogurt, added as a substitute in our Apple Cheesecake Parfait, or served up with our favorite pork chop recipe.
Pear Preserves are easy to make and even easier to eat. So, be sure to add this recipe to your list of favorite fall foods to preserve.
That's the thing about harvesting time. We get to see the fruits of our labor lined in rows in the pantry, and we get to taste the fresh flavors of our work every time we make a recipe that includes one of the delicious jars of food we've put up.
How to Make Pear Preserves - Step by Step
With simple instructions like these, it's a wonder you haven't made Pear Preserves before. This recipe will make approximately five half pint jars of pear preserves. (I use these jars.)
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2½ cups water
- 6 medium cored, pared, hard, ripe pears, cut in halves or quarters (about 2 lbs)
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1 thinly sliced lemon
Combine 1½ cups sugar and water over medium-high heat and cook rapidly for 2 minutes. Add the pears and boil them gently for 15 minutes.
Next, add the remaining sugar and the lemon, and keep stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cook rapidly until the fruit is clear, which will take about 25 minutes. Cover the pear preserves and let them stand for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
Reheat the pears and syrup to boiling and add them to sterilized jars, leaving about ¼ inch headspace. Wipe the rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel, and close them up with two-piece metal canning lids.
Process the canned preserves in a Boiling Water Canner for 5 minutes for elevations under 1000 feet and 10 minutes for up to 6,000 feet and 15 minutes if over 6,000 feet.
More Tasty Ideas
If you love these pear preserves, check out these other tasty canning recipes:
- Homemade Crushed Tomatoes (for canning!)
- How to Can Tomatoes
- Best Applesauce Recipe for Canning
- Easy Canned Lemons
Recipe
Pear Preserves Recipe
Equipment
- 5 half pint sized mason jars with lids
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine 1½ cups sugar and water over medium-high heat and cook rapidly for 2 minutes. Add pears and boil gently for 15 minutes. Add remaining sugar and lemon stirring until sugar dissolves. Cook rapidly until fruit is clear, about 25 minutes. Cover and let stand 12 to 24 hours in refrigerator.
- Reheat the pears and syrup to boiling and add to sterilized jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel; adjust two-piece metal canning lids. Process in a Boiling Water Canner. Makes about 5 half-pint jars
Nutrition
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
Sammie says
I honestly never knew you could preserve pears. I've made plenty of jams & chutneys over the years and I adore pears, we even have a tempremental pear tree in the garden. Fantastic recipe. Pinned to be made.
Ann Cromer says
Looks terrific! Love your blog. I included you in my blog round-up last week!
Jana says
Do you peal the lemon?
Jessica McCoy says
Yes, peel and slice the lemon.
Donna says
Hi Jessica
I have this cooking on the stove as I write. I have a question. Do I remove the lemon skeletons before I put this in jars.
It smells wonderful here!
Jessica McCoy says
Yes, I'd remove them.
Jo says
Jo. Do you cool some before refrigeration.
Heather Cox says
Yes, to room temperature. Since they’re sealed from canning, they don’t have to be refrigerated until opening, which is handy for giving to friends & family.
Pauline Anderson says
My five jars are ready just wish I had more pears the recipe is great!