Do you love the taste of pears? If you do, then you’re going to love this easy pear chutney recipe. This is a great way to preserve pears and enjoy their delicious flavour all year round. Or if you’re looking for a way to use up extra pears, or want to make a delicious, tangy condiment to have on hand, then this is the recipe for you. This chutney is perfect for serving with chicken or pork dishes, or you can simply use it as your everyday condiment to bring something special to even simple snacks.
A few good reasons to make a pear chutney
Unlike the more well-known pear preserves, which are often just pears cooked in sugar syrup, pear chutney is a spiced pear preserve that often includes other fruits and vegetables like apples, onions, and raisins – with a more complex flavour profile plus texture too. You can enjoy pear chutney as a side dish or condiment, or use it as an ingredient in other recipes like marinades or toppings for pork chops or chicken. Best of all, it is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Homemade pear chutney is more flavorful than shop-bought versions. When you make your own pear chutney, you can control the level of sweetness, spice, and acidity to suit your taste. Shop-bought pear chutneys are often overly sweet or artificially flavoured, but with homemade pear chutney, you can create a perfectly balanced batch every time.
You can customize this chutney to include some of your favourite ingredients. Love the flavour of ginger? Add a little extra to your pear chutney recipe. Prefer a crunchier texture? Stir in some chopped nuts before serving. The possibilities are endless when you make it at home.
This chutney makes a great gift! If you’re looking for a unique homemade food gift, pear chutney is always welcome. Be sure to include some suggestions on how to enjoy it too.
How to make pear chutney
There are many different recipes for pear chutney, but the basic ingredients usually include pears, sugar, vinegar, spices, and some dried fruit. The pears and a couple of apples are first peeled and then diced into roughly even small pieces. The sugar is added to the pears and stirred to dissolve. Vinegar and spices are then added to the mix. Then add in the dried fruits raisins and get cooking – up to a boil and then a medium slow simmer.
The chutney is simmered over low heat until it is thick and glossy. The finished chutney can be stored in sterilized jars and will keep for several months. So, this chutney recipe is not difficult to make, but it does require a bit of patience and time. However, the results are well worth the effort!
TIPS for Making Pear Chutney
- Always use firm ripe pears for the best results. In contrast to pear jam preserves, when under-ripe pears can be preferred to support reaching a set consistency and limit the mixture from becoming mush too soon, here you want the top flavour to stand alongside the other strong flavouring so that the pear taste can be the star.
- Make sure you have a large preserving pan to mix everything in, as the chutney can bubble up while cooking and for ease of stirring.
- Let the chutney mature before eating it as this will allow the flavours to blend and mellow making for a much more enjoyable experience.
Flavour options for this chutney
1. Try a vanilla pod or some vanilla extract for an aromatic softening note.
2. Get more exotic with spices and 2-3 star anise or 4 crushed cardamom pods for distinctive flavouring. Or turn up the heat with your favourite hot fresh chilli.
3. Stir in some chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts ( around 40g) for texture and nuttiness.
4. Select some other dried fruits such as a handful of dried cranberries or chopped apricots for fruity goodness and texture.
5. Add some lemon juice +/- the zest for a fresher taste to balance the sweetness.
6. Stir in some chopped fresh rosemary or thyme for herby deliciousness.
Some way you may use this pear preserve
- Serve as a condiment with roasted meats or poultry.
- Serve with or part of grilled cheese sandwiches or panini.
- Mix with yoghurt to serve as a dip for chips or crackers.
- Use as a glaze for pork or ham. Or stir through steamed vegetables, pasta or rice to elevate them.
- Stir into softened cream cheese for a delicious spread.
Autumn is the perfect time to make homemade pear chutney. If you’re looking for something special to take your dish to the next level, look no further than this pear chutney recipe. This dish only takes a few hours to prepare and can be enjoyed all season long. Pears are a versatile fruit that can be used in sweet or savoury dishes, so don’t hesitate to experiment with personalising this recipe. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this delicious chutney today.
Pear Chutney Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen scales
- Chopping board and knife
- Vegetable peeler
- Large saucepan
- Long-handled spoon for stirring
- Ladle
- Jam Funnel
- Clean, sterilised glass jars with sealable lids
Ingredients
- 1 kg pears
- 400 g red onions or shallots
- 2 medium cooking apples
- 1 clove garlic
- 550 ml apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 400 g brown sugar
- 40 g raisins/sultanas (or a bit of both!)
- 40 g currants
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ⅓ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 pinches ground cloves
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Wash, drain, peel and core the pears and the apples. Chop them into roughly equal-sized chunks, so that they can cook evenly.
- Peel and dice the onions. Peel and chop up the garlic clove.
- In a large saucepan, combine the pears, apples, onion, garlic, vinegar, brown sugar, raisins, currants, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, salt and chilli flakes. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat. Then, reduce the heat and simmer steadily while the fruit softens and the mixture thickens. This can take between 1-2 hours. Stir regularly to prevent burning.
- Once you can draw the spoon through the chutney along the bottom of the pan and leave a clear trail, it is done.
- Take off the heat and let it stand for 1-2 minutes. Using the ladle and jam funnel, fill your clean sterile jars with the chutney. Then wipe the rims and jars, and seal them with lids. Set aside to cool at room temperature, overnight.
- The next day, label and store in a cool, dark place.
- Leave the chutney to mature and for the flavours to mellow for 4 weeks (or longer) to enjoy it at its best. Use the chutney within 6-9 months. ( You can also freeze this chutney where it can last for up to 12 months.)Refrigerate once opened.
Notes
TIPS for Making Pear Chutney
- Always use firm ripe pears for the best results. In contrast to pear jam preserves, when under-ripe pears can be preferred to support reaching a set consistency and limit the mixture from becoming mush too soon, here you want the top flavour to stand alongside the other strong flavouring so that the pear taste can be the star.
- Make sure you have a large preserving pan to mix everything in, as the chutney can bubble up while cooking and for ease of stirring.
- Let the chutney mature before eating it as this will allow the flavours to blend and mellow making for a much more enjoyable taste experience.
Flavour options for this chutney
1. Try a vanilla pod or some vanilla extract for an aromatic softening note. 2. Get more exotic with spices and 2-3 star anise or 4 crushed cardamom pods for distinctive flavouring. Or turn up the heat with your favourite hot fresh chilli. 3. Stir in some chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts ( around 40g) for texture and nuttiness. 4. Select some other dried fruits such as a handful of dried cranberries or chopped apricots for fruity goodness and texture. 5. Add some lemon juice +/- the zest for a fresher taste to balance the sweetness. 6. Stir in some chopped fresh rosemary or thyme for herby deliciousness.Some way you could use this pear preserve
- Serve as a condiment with roasted meats or poultry.
- Serve with or part of grilled cheese sandwiches or panini.
- Mix with yoghurt to serve as a dip for chips or crackers.
- Use as a glaze for pork or ham. Or stir through steamed vegetables, pasta or rice to elevate them.
- Stir into softened cream cheese for a delicious spread.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.