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red wine poached pears with the syrup drizzled on top of a pear on a dessert plate

Red Wine Poached Pears

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5 from 1 review

These red wine poached pears are one of those quietly elegant desserts that look impressive but are surprisingly simple to make. Pears are gently simmered in red wine with warm spices until tender, taking on a deep color and rich flavor that feels perfect for entertaining—or for a cozy night in.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • One 750ml bottle of red wine
  • 6 tablespoons of sugar (every 1/2 cup of wine, 1 tablespoon of sugar)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Optional: 2-star anise, one 2-inch piece orange peel
  • 6 firm medium pears, peeled, stem intact
  • Ice cream or Greek yogurt for serving

Instructions

  1. Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact if desired. Trim the bottoms slightly so they can stand upright if serving that way.
  2. Combine, in a medium saucepan the red wine, water, sweetener, cinnamon sticks, star anise (if using), and citrus peel (if using).
  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  4. Carefully add the pears, holding them by the stem, and lower them into the wine mixture one at a time. Reduce heat to low.
  5. Simmer for 20–30 minutes, turning the pears occasionally, until they are tender when pierced with a knife.
  6. Remove the pears using a slotted spoon from the saucepan and set aside.
  7. Continue simmering the poaching liquid uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until slightly reduced and syrupy.
  8. Spoon the reduced liquid over the pears before serving.
  9. Serve warm or chilled over ice cream, with a dollop of Greek yogurt, or as is!
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