Quick & Cozy Mary Berry Pear Chutney Recipe for Fall Evenings

Tangy and rich, pear chutney transforms ordinary meals into culinary adventures with its complex flavor profile.

Sweet pears mingle beautifully with warm spices, creating a condiment that dances between savory and sweet dimensions.

Traditional British kitchens have long celebrated this versatile preserve as a staple accompaniment.

Homemade chutney represents more than just a spread – it’s a connection to generations of cooking wisdom.

Balanced ingredients merge seamlessly, producing a condiment that complements cheese platters, sandwiches, and roasted meats with elegant sophistication.

Each carefully crafted batch brings subtle nuances that store-bought versions cannot replicate.

Seasonal fruits and carefully selected spices elevate this recipe from simple preservation to gourmet craftsmanship: dive into a world of flavor excitement.

Why Mary Berry’s Pear Chutney Beats the Ordinary

• Savor Sweet-Spicy Complexity: This chutney delivers an incredible flavor explosion by blending sweet pears with zingy vinegar, warming spices, and a subtle heat from chile, creating a balanced taste profile that dances across your palate.
• Transform Simple Ingredients into Gourmet Preserve: With just basic pantry items and minimal cooking skills, you can craft an impressive condiment that elevates sandwiches, cheeses, and grilled meats, making you feel like a professional chef without hours of complicated preparation.
• Enjoy Flexible Storage Options: The recipe's genius lies in its adaptability – you can refrigerate for quick use, freeze for future enjoyment, or can for long-term preservation, giving you maximum convenience and reducing food waste while maintaining delicious quality.
• Experience Stress-Free Cooking Method: The straightforward stovetop technique requires only occasional stirring and allows ingredients to meld naturally, making this chutney almost foolproof for home cooks of any experience level who want a sophisticated yet easy-to-make condiment.

Must-Have Ingredients for Mary Berry Pear Chutney

• Pears: Sweet and firm fruit that provides the main body and texture of the chutney.
• Raisins: Adds natural sweetness and chewy texture to the chutney.
• Lemon: Brings bright acidity and helps balance the overall flavor.

• Ginger: Provides warm, spicy undertone that complements the pears.
• Garlic: Adds depth and savory complexity to the chutney.
• Chile: Introduces a subtle heat and exciting flavor dimension.
• Coriander, Allspice, Cloves, Pepper: Blend of warm spices that create a rich, complex flavor profile.

• Brown Sugar: Adds rich sweetness and helps create a thick, glossy texture.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides tanginess and helps preserve the chutney.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all the other flavors in the chutney.

How to Prepare Mary Berry Pear Chutney

Step 1: Combine and Heat Ingredients

Toss all ingredients into a large pot and place over medium heat. Stir everything together until the ingredients are well mixed and start to bubble gently.

Step 2: Simmer and Transform

Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Watch as the pears soften and break down, creating a rich, fragrant mixture. This process takes about 30 minutes.

Step 3: Thicken the Chutney

If the mixture looks too watery, increase heat to high and continue cooking. The liquid will gradually evaporate, creating a thick, jammy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4: Cool and Store

• Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks
• Freeze for 3 months
• Can using proper canning methods for longer preservation

Pointers for a Fabulous Pear Chutney

• Capture Peak Flavor: Harvest pears at their prime ripeness to unlock maximum natural sweetness and depth in your chutney.
• Prevent Pot Damage: Select a wooden spoon to gently stir, protecting your cooking vessel from scratches during the simmering process.
• Control Texture Masterfully: Monitor liquid reduction closely, stirring intermittently to develop a luscious, thick consistency without burning.
• Maximize Preservation: Distribute cooled chutney into small containers, extending its vibrant taste for half a year in the freezer.
• Elevate Serving Potential: Transform ordinary meals by pairing this chutney with roasted meats, artisan cheeses, or gourmet sandwiches.

Storing Mary Berry Pear Chutney

• Cool Down First: Let the pear chutney reach room temperature completely before storing. Trapping heat inside the container creates moisture, which can lead to spoilage and mold growth.
• Seal Tightly: Use glass jars with airtight lids to prevent air and bacteria from contaminating your chutney. Mason jars work perfectly, creating a vacuum seal that preserves freshness and flavor.
• Refrigerate Strategically: Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf away from the door. This consistent temperature zone helps maintain the chutney's quality and extends its shelf life up to 3 weeks.

Ways to Tweak Mary Berry Pear Chutney

• Spiced Apple Companion: Swap pears with crisp apples, maintaining the same aromatic spices for a classic chutney variation that pairs wonderfully with roasted meats.
• Tropical Mango Fusion: Replace pears with ripe mangoes, adding a splash of orange zest and reducing chile for a sweeter, more tropical-inspired condiment perfect for grilled dishes.
• Autumn Harvest Blend: Incorporate diced butternut squash alongside pears, introducing warm cinnamon and nutmeg to create a rich, seasonal chutney that captures fall's essence.
• Savory Tomato Transformation: Trade pears for firm, green tomatoes, increasing garlic and reducing sugar for a tangy, robust condiment ideal for sandwiches and cheese platters.

A Note on Mary Berry Pear Chutney

Mary Berry’s Pear Chutney emerges as culinary magic, blending sweet and tangy notes into one remarkable condiment.

Complex flavor profiles dance across palates with each spoonful of this extraordinary preserve.

Spices mingle harmoniously, creating depth beyond simple fruit combinations.

Seasonal pears transform into a luxurious spread perfect for cheese boards or gifting to passionate home cooks.

Winter gatherings sparkle with this homemade delicacy that connects traditional British preserving techniques with contemporary taste expectations.

Adventurous souls: savor this recipe, share its delightful secrets on social media, and inspire fellow chutney enthusiasts to explore Mary Berry’s delectable creation!

Mary Berry Pear Chutney Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mary Berry’s Pear Chutney brings European elegance to homemade preserves with its perfect balance of sweet pears and tangy spices. Home cooks discover a delightful condiment that pairs wonderfully with cheeses, cold meats, and rustic breads you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) fresh pears, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 1 ¼ cups (250 grams) light brown sugar
• 1 ½ cups (225 grams) raisins

Aromatic Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 grams) peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger
• 1 small lemon, seeded and finely chopped or slivered
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 small hot chile pepper, finely chopped

Spices and Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
• Pinch ground cloves

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Instructions

1. Combine diced pears, rich brown sugar, tangy apple cider vinegar, sweet raisins, zesty lemon juice, warm ginger, pungent garlic, spicy chile, mineral salt, aromatic allspice, sharp black pepper, earthy coriander, and fragrant cloves in a generously sized heavy-bottomed saucepan.
2. Ignite the stovetop to medium heat, stirring the vibrant mixture continuously to prevent scorching and ensure even flavor distribution.
3. Elevate the temperature until the contents reach a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld and transform.
4. Maintain a low heat, periodically stirring the chutney to prevent sticking and promote uniform cooking, watching as the pears gradually soften and break down into a luscious, textured consistency.
5. Monitor the liquid content carefully; if the mixture appears excessively watery after approximately 25 to 35 minutes, incrementally increase the heat to high, stirring constantly to encourage liquid reduction and intensify the flavors.
6. Once the chutney reaches a thick, jam-like texture with pears nearly disintegrated, remove from heat and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
7. Transfer the cooled chutney into sterilized airtight glass containers, ensuring a tight seal to preserve freshness and flavor intensity.
8. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, freeze for 3 months, or process in a water bath for shelf-stable preservation lasting up to 1 year.

Notes

• Develops deeper, more complex flavors when allowed to rest for 24-48 hours before serving.
• Freezes exceptionally well, maintaining vibrant taste and texture for several months.
• Stores beautifully in sealed jars for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
• Provides a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavor profiles.
• Perfect for gifting to food-loving friends during holiday seasons.
• Creates a wonderful homemade gift when packaged in decorative glass jars.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg