Pear Sauce
Homemade pear sauce is a delightful and nutritious treat that showcases the natural sweetness of fresh pears. This easy-to-make recipe requires just five simple ingredients—perfect for a quick snack, a topping for yogurt or oatmeal, or even a delicious addition to desserts. With its vibrant flavor and smooth texture, pear sauce is not only a comforting dish but also a versatile one.
As a Registered Dietitian with over 25 years of experience, I specialize in creating recipes that align with kidney-friendly dietary needs. Inspired by my personal experience with family members managing CKD, I strive to provide accurate, clear guidance to support kidney health through delicious recipes. This pear sauce recipe is crafted to offer a safe, satisfying option for those on a CKD diet.
This easy pear sauce is a kidney-friendly option, as it contains no added sugars or high-potassium ingredients, making it suitable for those with CKD. Pears are naturally lower in potassium compared to other fruits, and the minimal use of spices and lemon juice keeps this sauce flavorful without adding any kidney stress. This recipe is a great, adaptable addition to a CKD diet, allowing for a tasty, low-sodium, and nutritious treat.
You can enjoy this easy pear sauce as a snack, or with a meal. Some of our favorite meals are the Mother's Day Brunch for CKD Patients and our Father's Day Meal for CKD patients. It would be a great addition to any meal. You can find our other holiday meals for kidney disease on our blog.
Jump to:
Ingredients
This sugar free pear sauce comes together with just a few simple ingredients, each chosen to enhance flavor while keeping the recipe kidney-friendly and naturally sweet.
- Pears - The main ingredient, pears add natural sweetness and a smooth texture to the sauce without added sugars.
- Water - Helps soften the pears as they cook, ensuring a smooth, even sauce.
- Lemon juice - Adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness and helps preserve the color.
- Cinnamon - Provides a warm, cozy flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the pears.
- Vanilla extract - Adds depth and a mild sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the sauce.
See recipe card for quantities.
Making Pear Sauce
This recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly, requiring minimal prep time to create a smooth, delicious pear sauce perfect for CKD diets.
- Peel and core pears. Cut into cubes approximately 1 in in size
- Add all ingredients to a pot, and turn heat on high. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes until pears start to soften.
- Once pears are soft, use an immersion blender to puree the pears. If you don't have an immersion blender, use your regular blender or a potato masher.
Hint: Adjust consistency: For a thicker sauce, reduce the water slightly; for a thinner sauce, add a little more water while blending.
Substitutions
Easily substitute ingredients to make this recipe work best for your diet.
- Replace pears with apples: For a similar sauce, use apples in place of pears while keeping the same method.
- Skip cinnamon: If sensitive to spices, this sauce is still flavorful without cinnamon, with just vanilla and lemon juice.
- Alternate flavoring: For a citrus note, swap vanilla extract with a few drops of almond or lemon extract.
Variations on Pear Sauce
This unsweetened pear sauce is easy to modify for individual preferences while remaining kidney-friendly.
- Spiced flavor: Add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg for a warm, spiced twist without adding salt.
- Mixed fruit sauce: Swap half the pears with apples or berries for a unique, CKD-friendly fruit blend.
- Sweeten naturally: If you prefer extra sweetness, stir in a small amount of monk fruit or a CKD-friendly sweetener after cooking.
Storage
Here are some storage tips for your pear sauce:
- Refrigeration: Store the pear sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The lemon juice helps preserve its freshness and color.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the pear sauce in individual portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before use.
- Reheating: Enjoy the sauce cold or reheat it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warm.
Top Tip
Serving ideas: This sauce works well as a topping for oatmeal, yogurt, or even savory dishes like grilled chicken or pork.
FAQs About Making Pear Sauce
While it’s best to use fresh, unblemished pears for optimal flavor, slightly bruised pears can still be used if the bruised areas are removed before cooking.
Yes, you can use canned pears, but ensure they are packed in water or their own juice without added sugars or syrups. Rinse them thoroughly to reduce sodium content.
Yes, feel free to experiment with other spices like nutmeg or ginger to create different flavor profiles that suit your taste preferences.
Yes, you can omit lemon juice, but it helps to preserve the color and enhances the flavor. If you prefer to skip it, consider adding a little more cinnamon or vanilla for balance.
Related Dessert Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing with Unsweetened Pear Sauce
These are my favorite dishes to serve with pear sauce:
If you tried this Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
PrintPear Sauce
Enjoy this easy, kidney-friendly pear sauce made with ripe pears, lemon juice, and spices. Perfect as a snack or dessert topping!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
4 pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1 in pieces
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Peel and core pears. Cut into cubes approximately 1 in in size
2. Add all ingredients to a pot, and turn heat on high. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes until pears start to soften.
3. Once pears are soft, use an immersion blender to puree the pears. If you don't have an immersion blender, use your regular blender or a potato masher.
