Slow Cooker Poached Pears in Wine
These poached pears make an elegant dessert for a special dinner or holiday meal. The recipe is perfect for Valentine’s day.
If you want an effortless dessert that looks restaurant-worthy, these slow cooker poached pears are just the thing. The pears slowly simmer in a mix of orange juice, red wine, and a touch of brown sugar, soaking up all the cozy, spiced flavors as they become perfectly tender.
This is the kind of dish that feels elegant but couldn’t be simpler to make. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, hosting a holiday dinner, or just want something special to end a meal, these poached pears always impress. Serve them chilled, drizzled with the reduced wine sauce, and add a dollop of whipped cream or a side of biscotti for a beautiful finish.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Elegant but easy. The slow cooker does the work for a stunning, fuss-free dessert.
Beautiful presentation. Whole poached pears look impressive on the plate, especially with their jewel-toned sauce.
Make-ahead friendly. The pears can be prepared in advance and served chilled—perfect for entertaining.
Ingredient Notes
- Bosc or Anjou pears: Both varieties hold their shape well when poached. Choose firm, just-ripe pears.
- Light brown sugar: Adds caramel notes and gentle sweetness.
- Orange juice: Gives brightness and balances the richness of the wine.
- Red wine: Merlot, Cabernet, or another dry red adds color and depth.
- Cinnamon stick: Infuses warm, subtle spice without overpowering.
Steps to Make Slow Cooker Poached Pears in Wine
- Arrange whole pears upright in the slow cooker.
- Mix brown sugar, orange juice, and red wine in a small bowl.
- Break cinnamon stick in half and add to the slow cooker.
- Pour juice mixture over the pears.
- Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours (or high for 2 hours), until pears are just tender.
- Uncover and let pears cool, basting with juices.
- Remove pears and reduce juices in a saucepan until thickened and concentrated.
- Pour reduced sauce over pears and refrigerate until chilled.
Tips for Success
- Use pears that are ripe but still firm for best texture after poaching.
- Rotate or baste the pears occasionally so they color evenly in the wine sauce.
- Let the poaching liquid reduce until syrupy for a more flavorful sauce.
- For added flavor, include a strip of orange peel or a few whole cloves with the cinnamon stick.
- Serve pears chilled for the best flavor and presentation.
Recipe Variations
- Spiced version: Add whole cloves, star anise, or a piece of fresh ginger to the poaching liquid.
- White wine pears: Use white wine instead of red for a lighter flavor and color.
- Pear halves: Peel, halve, and core the pears before poaching for easier serving.
- Cranberry juice: Replace part of the orange juice with cranberry juice for a tart twist.
- Vanilla addition: Split a vanilla bean and add to the slow cooker for fragrant, floral notes.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve pears with softly whipped cream or mascarpone.
- Pair with crisp biscotti, butter cookies, or shortbread.
- Add a sprinkle of toasted chopped nuts for crunch.
- Drizzle extra syrup over vanilla ice cream or pound cake.
- Garnish with fresh orange zest for a pop of color.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store poached pears and sauce in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Pears can be served chilled straight from the fridge.
Freeze: For best texture, freezing is not recommended, as the pears can become mushy once thawed.
Leftovers: Slice leftover pears and spoon over oatmeal, pancakes, or yogurt for a special breakfast treat.
Slow Cooker Poached Pears in Wine
Ingredients
- 6 pears, Bosc or Anjou (unpeeled)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup red wine, such as Merlot or Cabernet
- 1 cinnamon stick, about 3 inches in length
Instructions
- Arrange the pears upright in the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, juice, and wine. Break the cinnamon stick into 2 pieces and place in the slow cooker. Pour the juice mixture over the pears.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4 hours, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a skewer or tip of a knife. Alternatively, cook the pears on HIGH for about 2 hours.
- Uncover the slow cooker and let the pears cool, basting frequently. Arrange the pears on a serving dish. Put the juices in a saucepan and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, until reduced and flavors are more concentrated. Pour the juices over the pears.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour, or until thoroughly chilled.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
