Simple Pear Chutney with Cider

Simple Pear Chutney with Cider is a sweet and fruity chutney with the tang of apple cider. This easy recipe is an ideal way to preserve seasonal pears and makes a great addition to many dishes.

Why should I make Simple Pear Chutney with Cider?

Pears are often overlooked in favour of the ubiquitous apple! I was recently given a gift of a jar of commercially produced pear chutney. It was very good and I realised that I didn’t have a pear chutney in my repertoire. So I decided to develop an easy recipe and share it with my readers.

If you have a pear tree then you are bound to have an excess of smaller pears and these are perfect for chutney. Even if you don’t have a tree, and I don’t, then pears are one of those fruits that are economical to buy when they are in season at the end of the summer and into autumn. Simple Pear Chutney with Cider is a little less usual from many other chutneys and makes a great gift.

What is chutney?

Chutney is a flavourful condiment originating from South Asia, traditionally made by blending fruits, vegetables, and aromatic spices with vinegar, sugar, and sometimes chillies. The result is a tangy, sweet, or spicy relish that can be served with dishes ranging from curries to sandwiches.

What ingredients do I need to make the Pear Chutney?

The ingredients for this recipe are easily available and you may already have many of them in your larder or fridge. Here is what you need:

• Sugar
• Vinegar
• Cider
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Onion
• Cayenne Pepper
• Pears
• Sultanas

Scroll to the end of this article to find the full recipe and all quantities of ingredients, with step-by-step photo instructions.

What kind of pears should I use in Simple Pear Chutney with Cider?

You can use any dessert or cooking pears. I have made the chutney with both Conference pears and Comice Pears. I use 10 pears for this recipe, these are standard sized pears, if you have smaller pears then increase the number you use.

Should the pears be ripe?

The pears should still be firm but not rock hard. One of the challenges with pears is that they seem to go from too hard to eat to too soft in a very short space of time! You can get away with making the chutney with firmer pears, but soft pears will just disintegrate and you won’t get nice little pieces of fruit in the chutney.

What kind of sugar should I use to make the chutney?

I use white granulated sugar for this chutney recipe. I prefer this as pears have a delicate flavour and white sugar provides sweetness but doesn’t add any flavour. It is possible to use light soft brown sugar but this will add a caramel flavour to the preserve.

What kind of vinegar should I use?

Cider vinegar is the obvious choice for this chutney. I use standard filtered cider vinegar and mostly choose the supermarket own brand. You can use what is often called apple cider vinegar which may be unfiltered with a sediment. However, there is no need to buy an expensive unfiltered brand of vinegar to make chutney

What is cider?

Cider is a drink made from pressed apple. In the UK the apple juice is fermented to produce an alcoholic drink. However, in the US cider often means unfilted, non-alcoholic apple juice. The alcoholic version is called hard cider.

What kind of cider do I need for this recipe?

I use alcoholic cider in this Simple Pear Chutney, there is something about the particular tangy flavour of cider that works well with the fruit. It is a subtle flavour but really lifts the pears. Ideally I would use Perry which is pear cider, but it is more difficult to find so I use apple cider which is readily available.

What can I substitute for cider?

If you prefer not to add alcohol to the chutney then you can substitute good quality fresh apple juice.

What kind of ginger should I use in Simple Pear Chutney?

There are two different types of ginger used for this chutney.

• Ground ginger is also sometimes called ginger powder. It is dried ginger root that has been finely milled and is often used in baking.
• Fresh root ginger is the raw, knobbly stem of the ginger plant. it is spicy and juicy with pale-yellow, fibrous flesh. It is often used in stir-fries, curries and marinades.

What is cayenne pepper?

Cayenne pepper is made from a hot red chilli which is dried and ground to a powder, you don’t need much to add just a little hint of warmth.

What can I substitute for cayenne pepper?

If you don’t have cayenne pepper you can substitute regular chilli powder. This isn’t a hot spicy chutney, so if you don’t like chilli spices you can leave it out altogether and the chutney will still be good.

What are sultanas?

Sultanas are sometimes known as golden raisins. Sultanas are a type of dried fruit that come from seedless green grapes, most commonly the Thompson Seedless variety. They have a sweet flavour, light golden colour, and soft texture.

How should I store Simple Pear Chutney with Cider?

Store the chutney in sterilised glass jam jars with lids. Keep the jars of chutney in a cool dark place, and once opened keep the jar in the fridge.

How soon can I eat the chutney?

You can eat this chutney within a week of making it. However, it will improve in flavour if you keep it for 4-6 weeks before opening. It will continue to mature and will keep unopened in sterilised jars for up to a year. Once it has been opened, I recommend that you keep the jar in the fridge.

How do I sterilise glass jars?

Find out why you should sterilise your jars and about the different methods you can use to sterilise them in this article.

Vegetarian

Simple Pear Chutney contains no animal derived ingredients and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Gluten Free

This recipe is gluten-free, making it a suitable option for individuals avoiding gluten in their diet. As always you should check every ingredient to ensure that it meets your dietary requirements.

For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.

How should I serve Simple Pear Chutney?

Serve the chutney at room temperature for the best flavour. You can serve it straight from the jar, but it’s nice to present it in a small bowl or ramekin with a spoon for easy serving.

Simple Pear Chutney with Cider pairs beautifully with Stilton and with soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert. I like to add a few slices of fresh pear to my cheeseboard alongside the chutney and crackers.

The perfect partner for roast pork

Simple Pear Chutney with Cider is a great alternative to apple sauce when serving roast pork. The sweet fruity flavour and the tang of the cider makes a great flavour combination.

This chutney is also good with roast chicken and turkey, or use it as an alternative to mango chutney to serve with your curry.