Home » Recipes » Fruits and other goodies » Easy Grilled pears recipe

Easy Grilled pears recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Grilled pears are a versatile treat that can serve as an easy barbecue side dish, a delicious dessert, or a healthy snack loaded with flavor that everyone loves.

During the barbecue party at our house, I was responsible for the side dish but needed to figure out what to prepare. As someone who enjoys seasonal food, I decided to serve grilled pears, which was the perfect match. The pears were sweet, tender, and full of flavor, making them an attractive choice for those seeking a tasty and wholesome treat.

Roasting pears is a great option to make less-than-perfect pears taste better. Grilling helps to soften the fruits and make them more tender, which helps if they are underripe or not as juicy as desired.

delicious grilled fruits

Ingredients for Grilled Pears:

Pears: Any pear will work as long as they are firm to the touch and don’t have bruises or cuts. Slightly underripe and large ones retain shape and flavor when baked or cooked. Leave out those overly soft and ripe as they tend to turn mushy. Rather use them to make pear butter. You also use apples for a similar result.

Honey is an essential ingredient when it comes to grilling fruits. In addition to sweetening them, it adds caramelized flavor and a crispy, golden-brown exterior that is visually appealing and delicious. Honey also acts as a natural glaze when grilling pears, helping seal the fruit’s natural juices and flavors while adding a shiny, glossy finish.

sunflower or canola oil, or another neutral-flavored oil

What to Serve with Grilled Pears

Dark or Brown Rum (optional) – It has a sweet and slightly smoky flavor that can complement the natural sweetness of the pears and adds a depth of flavor. The alcohol in the rum also helps to tenderize the fruit and adds a slight caramelization to the grilled pears, creating a more flavorful and appealing.

balsamic vinegar to drizzle when serving. Alternatively, you can also use this fermented cherry vinegar for additional flavors.

Check the recipe card at the end of the post for the quantities.

How to Make Grilled Pears

cleaning pears

First Step: Prepare the Pears.

Wash and dry the pears. Cut the pears in half and remove the core and seeds (use a round metal spoon or melon baller). Brush the pear halves with oil on both sides. I used this pastry brush to spread it evenly. It helps to prevent them from sticking to the hot grill and helps them brown nicely.

other fruit recipes

Second Step: Make the Glaze.

In a small bowl, mix the rum and honey until well combined.

Roasted Pears Honey

Third Step: Grill the Pears from both sides.

Make sure the bbq grill grate is clean and well-oiled. Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. (400°F, 200°C). Once the grill is hot, place the pears on the grill cut side down. Brush the top side of the pears with the rum glaze. Grill for 15 minutes or until the pears are slightly charred and caramelized on the bottom. Flip the pears over and brush the other side with the rum glaze. Grill for another 7-10 minutes or until the pears are tender and the grill marks appear.

It’s just as tasty when prepared on a grill pan as cooked on the grill. 

How to roast pears?

Fourth Step: Serve.

Remove the pears from the grill and place them on a serving platter. 

grilled pear slices
Pear slices

How to serve baked pears?

Serving the grilled pears hot or warm as a side dish and drizzle the remaining rum glaze or balsamic vinegar over them. They pair perfectly with grilled pork or sausages.

grilled pears make a delicious dessert. Cool them slightly and serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or frozen yogurt. This will prevent the frozen topping from melting too quickly.

Serve the roasted pears on a bed of fresh green salad on individual plates. Top each plate with a sprinkle of goat cheese and chopped walnuts, and drizzle with your finest balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

how to serve grilled pears
Pear halves

Substitutions and variations of grilled pear recipe

Instead of halving the pears, you can cut them pears into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices (not too thin as they will get mushy). Brush the pear slices with a little bit of oil on both sides and the rum glaze. Grill them for about 2 minutes on each side or until the slices are slightly charred and caramelized. I like to serve them on crostini with goat cheese and roasted walnut and drizzles with balsamic vinegar.

Easy, Delicious Grilled Pears
Crastini with grilled pears

Use bourbon, brandy, or even red wine if you don’t have rum. Each type of alcohol will give the pears a slightly different flavor.

If you don’t have honey, you could use maple syrup, peach syrup, hot honey sauce or brown sugar instead. Each sweetener will give the glaze a slightly different flavor and consistency.

use butter instead of oil and make the apple-cinnamon mixture in a saucepan. Place butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan and brush them with this mixture while grilling. 

You could add a pinch of spice such as cinnamon, cardamom, garam masala, nutmeg, or ginger to the glaze for some extra flavor. Before serving, sprinkle some cinnamon or nutmeg on the roasted pears.

Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds would be a delicious addition to this recipe. Sprinkle them on top of the grilled pears just before serving.

Crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese would pair nicely with the sweetness of the pears. I used it on these grilled apricot cheese bites. Sprinkle some on the pears just before serving

honey grilled pears

FAQ

What type of pear is best for a grilling recipe?

When grilling pears, it’s best to use firm and slightly underripe pears. This will ensure that the pears hold their shape during grilling and don’t become too mushy.
Some varieties of pears that work well for grilling include:
Bosc pears are firm and have a slightly sweet flavor, which makes them perfect for grilling.
Anjou pears are softer than Bosc pears but firm enough to hold their shape during grilling.
Red pears have a tart flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the honey and rum glaze

Are grilled pears healthy?

Grilled pears can be a healthy addition to your diet as they are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. However, adding honey and rum glaze can increase the sugar content of the dish, so it’s best to consume them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Roasted pears served as a dessert can be a healthier option than traditional desserts, as pears are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Additionally, serving them with a small amount of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or frozen yogurt can be a lighter and less calorie option than many other desserts. 
 

ROASTED PEARS
Yield: 4

Easy Grilled pears recipe

how to grill pears

Grilled pears are a versatile treat that can serve as an easy barbecue side dish, a delicious dessert, or a healthy snack loaded with flavor that everyone loves.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 4 days
Total Time 4 days 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 ripe pears (1 pear per person)
  • 3 tablespoons rum
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons oil (neutral oil such as canola or sunflower)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the pears. Cut the pears in half and remove the core and seeds (use a round metal spoon or melon baller). Brush the pear halves with oil on both sides. I used this pastry brush to spread it evenly. It helps to prevent them from sticking to the hot grill and helps them brown nicely.
  2. n a small bowl, mix the rum and honey until well combined.
  3. Make sure the bbq grill grate is clean and well-oiled. Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. (400°F, 200°C). Once the grill is hot, place the pears on the grill cut side down. Brush the top side of the pears with the rum glaze. Grill for 15 minutes or until the pears are slightly charred and caramelized on the bottom. Flip the pears over and brush the other side with the rum glaze. Grill for another 7-10 minutes or until the pears are tender and the grill marks appear. It's just as tasty when prepared on a grill pan as cooked on the grill. 
  4. Remove the pears from the grill and place them on a serving platter.

Notes

Tips on serving:

Serving the grilled pears hot or warm as a side dish and drizzle the remaining rum glaze or balsamic vinegar over them. They pair perfectly with grilled pork or sausages.

grilled pears make a delicious dessert. Cool them slightly and serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or frozen yogurt. This will prevent the frozen topping from melting too quickly.

Serve the roasted pears on a bed of fresh green salad on individual plates. Top each plate with a sprinkle of goat cheese and chopped walnuts, and drizzle with your finest balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 6gSugar: 30gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Vladka Merva on March 3rd, 2023

3 Comments on “Easy Grilled pears recipe”

  1. These have such a beautiful caramelized flavor! I will be making these pears again for sure. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  2. Served these grilled pears alongside our favorite chicken barbecue and it turned out great! Dinner was fun because it perfectly compliments the barbecue. Even the kids enjoyed it!

    Reply
  3. These grilled pears were such a pleasant surprise! They have the best natural sweetness and smoky flavor.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe