No-sugar pear butter recipe – Stovetop & Instant Pot

Below, I show you 2 methods how to make sweet pear butter with no added sugar in the instant pot and stovetop method.

Not only this natural pear butter make a healthier sweet spread, it’s also can be a nutritious substitute for refined sugar in many recipes, both savory and sweet. I mentioned below how you can use this no-sugar pear butter.

Why you will love this pear butter recipe

• No-added sweetener, just the ripe pears
• Simple, with minimal ingredients
• Delicious with rich natural pear flavor
• It contains natural fiber from the pears & the skin
• Lower in carbs

This pear butter recipe only requires 2 basic ingredients. I also include some spice variations for a subtle kick. The spices are optional, but they do add a great flavor and have some anti-inflammatory benefits.

Pear butter vs pear sauce

Although it’s called pear butter, there’s no dairy butter involved. Pear butter simply means pureed pears that have been slow-cooked for hours until they reach a thick and buttery texture.

Pear sauce, on the other hand, is thinner and cooks way faster, about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

So, pear butter is a concentrated version of pear sauce, which has been cooked longer in low heat to create that rich and condensed flavor.

💡 Make this pear butter in bulk, especially when it’s pear season, as they’re easily accessible and cheap. Can it in small jars so you can open a new one every month. Maybe give some to your favorite neighbor!

How you can use pear butter

• Substitute for store-bought jam to eat with toast, pancake, waffle

• Substitute for white refined sugar & artificial flavoring in baking.

• Substitute for oil in baking.

• Sweetening sauce, salad dressing.

• Sweetening agent in marinating meat

• Sweet dipping sauce in your charcuterie cheese plater

Pear butter ingredients (main)

1. Pear
2. Water

Additional ingredients

1. Freshly squeezed lemon juice – I added lemon juice when I made it in bulk to add more acid so it kept longer.
2. Spice (Optional) – Cinnamon, clove, cardamom, ginger (My favorite pair is cinnamon and clove)

Equipment and tools

• Medium pot
• Instant Pot – I’m using Instant Pot Duo
• Immersion blender or regular blender. If you have neither, use a potato masher. This method is not the best for a buttery texture, but it makes the mixture chunky and textured.

The ideal total time to cook pear butter

Depending on the method you choose below, you will need at least 4 hours (total time) to make a sweet concentrated pear butter.

Cooking at a slow simmer for at least 3 hours gives the pears time to develop a more condensed flavor, which also results in a sweeter taste.

If you prefer a short cook, simply skip the simmering process. This way, you’ll get pear sauce instead. It will take just 30 minutes in total with the instant pot and about 40 minutes on the stovetop.

But expect a milder taste, less sweet, and thinner in texture.

How to make this no-sugar pear butter (step by step)

Whether you are cooking with the Instant Pot or stovetop method, making pear butter involves 4 main steps. 1-prep the pears, 2-cook the pear to soften, 3-blend the softened pears into purée, and 4-slow-simmer the purée.

Step 1- Prepping the pear

The first step in making pear butter is washing the pears. Once dried, cut them in halves or wedges so you can easily trim the center part with the stem with a knife.

(I like to keep the skin because of the fiber content) Once the core and stems are removed, cut them into smaller chunks.

Step 2- Cook the pear to soften

This depends on 2 different methods below

Instant pot method

Toss the cut pears and 1/2 cup of water into the pot. Turn the valve on ‘sealing‘ and set the instant pot on high pressure for 15 minutes.

Once the pressure cooker beeps, wait until the timer reaches L0:00 before you turn the valve to ‘venting’. Make sure the steam is fully released (you will hear a soft click sound) before you open the lid.

Step 3-Blend or mash the pears into purée

In the same pot, blend the pear with an immersion blender. (If you are using a regular blender, you might want to leave it under a fan for 30 minutes to cool before blending.)

If you have neither, mash it with a fork or potato masher.

Step 4-Slow-simmer the purée.

Set the instant pot on ‘Sauté‘ and press the Sauté button until the heat bar is on ‘Less’ to ensure it is on the lowest setting. Set the timer to the maximum, which is 30 minutes.

Once the timer is done, stir with a spatula and set for another 30 minutes. Repeat this process 6-8 times to reach the thick buttery texture. This will take 3-4 hours.

✏️ Tips: For the first 1-2 hours, I keep the lid half open to shield the splashes while allowing some steam to escape. After that, you can remove the lid to let it dry. Stir every 30 minutes once the timer beeps to avoid burning.

Traditional Method – Stovetop

Fill a pot with the cut pears and water, cover it with a lid, and cook until the pear is soft and over medium to low heat. This will take about 30 to 45 minutes.

You can tell that it’s soft enough to puree when you mash it with a fork, it smashes effortlessly.

Step 3- Blend or mash the pears into purée

Blend the pear with an immersion blender or a regular blender. If you are using a regular blender, leave it under a fan for 30 minutes to cool before blending.

If you don’t have a blender, mash the pear with a fork or potato masher until smooth.

Step 4-Slow-simmer the purée.

Add lemon juice in and simmer over low heat for 3-4 hours until the purée thickens and slowly turns a darker brown color.

Once cooked, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove. Let it cool for about 30 minutes before transferring it to a jar.

✏️ Tips: For the first 1-2 hours, I keep the lid half open to shield the splashes while allowing some steam to escape. After that, you can remove the lid to let it dry. Stir occasionally or every 30 minutes to avoid burning.

Adding spices

I like to add the seasoning closer to the end, about an hour before I turn off the heat, for a subtle flavor. If you prefer a richer spice flavor, add it when you’re starting to simmer.

Spice variation

For an extra flavor, try adding spice to it. Among the common spices in pear butter are cardamom, clove, ginger, cinnamon, all spices, and orange peel or orange zest.

I like to add two pods of cardamom, it reminds me of my mother’s homemade jam. Another way I like to spice them is by adding one whole clove and half a cinnamon stick.

FAQ

How long does pear butter last?

In the refrigerator, they can last up to 3 weeks. Freezing them will extend their lifespan up to 1 year, given that you do a proper canning.

Best pear to use in making pear butter

The rule of thumb when picking the best pear to make pear butter are:

• Soft texture

• Juicy when they are ripe

• Have a natural sweet and deep pear flavor

Like the ones I listed below, this pear will break easily when cooked, and make a silky smooth texture with a strong pear flavor.

• Bartlett

• Bosch

• Comice

I use Bartlett pear in this recipe because of the sweetness, rich in flavor, and it’s easily accessible where I live. Feel free to experiment with any pear type, including Asian pear.

Why my pear butter is not thickened?

If the pear butter is still watery, you might need to simmer it on low heat for longer. Depending on the type of pear and its ripeness, it might take longer to break down into a smooth texture.

🥣 Did you try this recipe? Let me know your thoughts in the comment below.