Easy And Effective Ways To Keep Cut Pears Fresh And Avoid Browning

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Food and Entertaining
• Food Preparation
• Food Preservation Techniques

Easy and Effective Ways to Keep Cut Pears Fresh and Avoid Browning Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 How do you keep cut pears from turning brown? 2 Can you slice pears ahead of time? 3 How do you store cut pears in the fridge? 4 Can you freeze fresh cut pears? 5 How do you keep pears from browning while canning? 6 How do you use Ball Fruit-Fresh Produce Protector on pears? 7 When are pears ripe? 8 How do you store pears for the winter? 9 What can you do with too ripe pears? 10 How can you tell when a pear has gone bad? + Show 7 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles Expert Interview References Co-authored by Sasha Reyes and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: January 27, 2025 References

Download Article X

This article was co-authored by Sasha Reyes and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 59,559 times.

Pears are a great snack on their own and a sweet treat to add to any recipe. However, they have a tendency to turn brown super quickly, often changing color minutes after you slice them open. Whether you’re freezing, canning, or refrigerating your cut pears, there are a few different things you can do to keep them fresh to preserve the best texture and flavor.

Steps

Question 1 of 10:

How do you keep cut pears from turning brown?

Download Article

1. Dip the slices in a mixture of 50% water and 50% lemon juice. The acidity from the lemon juice stops the fruit from oxidising, leading to less browning over time.[1] Plus, it will keep them tasty, too![2]
   • You can use fresh lemon juice or store-bought lemon juice.
   • Your pears will probably keep their color for about 8 hours. After that, they may start to turn slightly brown.
Advertisement

Question 2 of 10:

Can you slice pears ahead of time?

Download Article

1. Yes, if you store them in the fridge or the freezer. If you’re keeping them at room temperature, you can only cut them 1 day ahead of time. Pears taste best when they’re fresh, though, so try to eat them quickly.[3]
   • If you’re packing pear slices for lunch, try putting them in with an ice pack to keep them fresh.

Question 3 of 10:

How do you store cut pears in the fridge?

Download Article

1. 1 Wrap the slices individually using plastic wrap. You can also use tinfoil or a plastic bag. Make sure your package is airtight to stop the slices from browning over time.[4]
   • You can also put your pear slices into a plastic container with a lid.
2. 2 Eat the pears within 3 to 4 days. After that, pears start to lose their texture and flavor. They’ll also start to brown, even if you used lemon juice on them.[5]
   • If the pear slices look brown, soft, and squishy, they may have gone bad.
   EXPERT TIP

   Sasha Reyes

   Executive Chef Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management. Sasha Reyes Executive Chef

   Stop pears from browning with a lemon water bath. Prevent fresh-cut pears from enzymatic browning by briefly dipping the slices in equal parts cold water and lemon juice. The acidity from the lemon inhibits oxidation that causes unattractive discoloration.

Advertisement

Question 4 of 10:

Can you freeze fresh cut pears?

Download Article

1. 1 Yes, if you pack them in syrup. Peel, halve, and core the pears, then soak them in a 1:1 ratio of lemon juice and water. Mix 1 2/3 cups (158 g) of granulated sugar with 4 cups (950 mL) of water in a large saucepan, then heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Pour your pear slices and syrup mixture into canning jars, leaving 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) of room at the top of the jar.
   • The syrup will help maintain the color and the texture of the pears. It will make them taste slightly sweeter, so they’ll be good for pies and other baked goods.
   • Since you’re freezing your pears, you don’t have to boil and seal your canning jars like you would in traditional canning.
2. 2 Eat the pears within 10 to 12 months. Write a label on your canning jars so you can remember when you put them in the freezer. After about a year, the pears will start to lose their flavor and texture.[6]
   • Make sure your freezer stays at or below 0 °F (−18 °C) so your pears stay good to eat.
   • Frozen pears will never go bad, but they probably won’t taste great after more than a year in the freezer.
Advertisement

Question 5 of 10:

How do you keep pears from browning while canning?

Download Article

1. 1 Add ascorbic acid to your canning syrup. For every 1 quart (32 USoz) of cold syrup you’re using, add in 1500 mg (1/2 tsp) of ascorbic acid. You can find ascorbic acid at most grocery stores in the canning section.
   • Ascorbic acid is the best ingredient to use for long-term canning. Lemon juice and citric acid are fine too, but they aren’t as good as ascorbic acid.
   • If you can’t find ascorbic acid, use Vitamin C pills instead. Crush up the pills and mix them in with the syrup at the same ratio as you would with ascorbic acid.
2. 2 Mix lemon juice or citric acid with water if you don’t have ascorbic acid. For every 1 quart (32 USoz) of water, add in 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of lemon juice or citric acid. Dip your pear slices into the water mixture for 1 to 2 minutes before you can them.
   • Drain your pear slices, but don’t rinse them. That way, they’ll keep some of the acidity in the can so they don’t turn brown.
Advertisement

Question 6 of 10:

How do you use Ball Fruit-Fresh Produce Protector on pears?

Download Article

1. 1 Sprinkle 1/2 tsp (2.8 g) on 1 cup (128 g) of pears. If you’ve sliced your pears already, you can sprinkle a little bit of the produce protector on to keep them from browning. The product will help keep your pears fresher for up to 8 hours.
   • The ingredients in Ball Fruit-Fresh Produce Protector are Dextrose, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Citric Acid, and Silicon Dioxide.
2. 2 Mix 2 tsp (8.4 g) with 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of water for 4 cups (512 g) of pears. If you have a lot of pear slices, mix your Produce Protector with water. Put your pear slices in a bowl with the mixture, then let them soak for 1 to 2 minutes.
   • You can use Produce Protector before freezing, refrigerating, or canning.
3. 3 Add 1 tsp (4 g) to every 1  c (240 mL) of liquid when canning. To stop your pears from turning brown while in storage, skip soaking them in citric acid and just add some Produce Protector to the mix. It won’t add any flavor, and it will help your pears maintain their color until you’re ready to eat them.
Advertisement

Question 7 of 10:

When are pears ripe?

Download Article

1. 1 If the neck of the pear is squishy, it’s probably ripe. Hold a pear in your hand and apply gentle pressure on the base of the stem with your thumb. If your thumb makes an indent, the pear is ready![7]
   • If your pear isn’t ripe, put it in a paper bag and leave it on your counter for 1 to 2 days to speed up the ripening process.
2. 2 Most pears are ready to harvest in October. However, this can vary from type to type. Some pears can be picked as early as August, while others need to stay on the tree until November or December.[8]
   • It also depends on the weather. If it’s warmer out, the pears will be ready sooner; if it’s colder, they might need a few more weeks.
Advertisement

Question 8 of 10:

How do you store pears for the winter?

Download Article

1. 1 Stack whole pears into crates or wooden boxes. Try to find a container that will allow air in instead of keeping it out. Put the pears in the container in a single layer, trying not to let them touch each other.[9]
   • Only store blemish-free, medium-sized fruits. Anything else could ripen too quickly or go bad.
   • If you've already sliced your pears, freeze them or they won't last more than a few days
2. 2 Keep the pears between 37 and 45 °F (3 and 7 °C). You can put your pears in your cellar or in your garage. Make sure the air isn’t super humid, and watch out for pests and insects that might eat your fruit.[10]
   • Pears are more tolerant to cold temperatures than other fruits, so you can keep them in the salad drawer of your fridge if you need to.
3. 3 Store the pears for 2 weeks to 3 months. The timeline varies greatly depending on where you’re keeping your pears and how fast they ripen. Fruit can get ripe super quickly, so check on your pears every day to make sure they haven’t gone bad.[11]
   • To check if a pear is ripe, press gently on the stem end. If it’s slightly soft, then it’s ready to eat.
Advertisement

Question 9 of 10:

What can you do with too ripe pears?

Download Article

1. Put them into a baked good. Overripe pears work well in muffins, crumbles, coffee cake, and even bread. The overripe texture won’t matter once it’s baked, and the sweet flavor of a too ripe pear goes well in a dessert.[12]
   • You can also use overripe pears to make fruit leather or ice pops.

Question 10 of 10:

How can you tell when a pear has gone bad?

Download Article

1. If there are bruises or blemishes on the skin, it might be bad. Test the pear by cutting it open and checking the center. If the flesh is brown and squishy, you probably shouldn't eat it.[13]
   • If you can pierce the skin of the pear with your nail, it’s a good sign that the pear is overripe.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question How do I store unripe pears? Sasha Reyes Executive Chef Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management. Sasha Reyes Executive Chef Expert Answer Unripe pears can be stored at room temperature, but once they ripen, it's recommended to refrigerate them, extending their shelf life by an additional five to 12 days. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

• Pears taste the best when they’re fresh. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How toStore Pears How toRipen Pears How to Tell if a Peach is Ripe and Ready to Eat How toFreeze Persimmon How toEat a Pear How toFreeze Apples How toDry Fruit in the Oven 3 Delicious Ways to Store Cut Pineapple How toCut Pears How toSteam Pears How to Stop Bananas from Turning Brown Too Quickly How toCore a Pear How toKeep Fruit from Turning Brown How toKeep a Cut Apple from Turning Brown Advertisement

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Sasha Reyes.

References

1. ↑ Sasha Reyes. Executive Chef. Expert Interview
2. ↑ https://usapears.org/pear-ripening-and-handling/
3. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17933
4. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17933
5. ↑ https://www.eatbydate.com/fruits/fresh/pears/
6. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17933
7. ↑ https://usapears.org/pear-ripening-and-handling/
8. ↑ https://www.theorchardproject.org.uk/guides_and_advice/when-should-you-pick-apples-pears/
9. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=595

More References (4)

10. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=595
11. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=595
12. ↑ https://foodsguy.com/what-to-do-with-overripe-pears/
13. ↑ https://www.eatbydate.com/fruits/fresh/pears/

About This Article

Co-authored by: Sasha Reyes Executive Chef This article was co-authored by Sasha Reyes and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management. This article has been viewed 59,559 times. 4 votes - 75% Co-authors: 6 Updated: January 27, 2025 Views: 59,559 Categories: Food Preservation Techniques In other languages Portuguese Japanese

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 59,559 times.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Sasha Reyes Executive Chef 4 votes - 75% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 6 Updated: January 27, 2025 Views: 59,559

Quizzes & Games

What Fruit Am I QuizTake QuizWhat's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Bake QuizTake QuizWhat Age Is My Brain QuizTake QuizIce Cream Personality TestTake QuizAm I a Picky Eater QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toStore PearsHow toRipen PearsHow to Tell if a Peach is Ripe and Ready to EatHow toFreeze Persimmon

Featured Articles

How toMake a Paper AirplaneHow toLearn Morse CodeHow toFold an Origami Star (Shuriken)How to Fold and Use a Paper Fortune Teller

Trending Articles

What Female Body Shape Are You? How to Identify YoursWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Pokémon Am I QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouFinish the Lyrics Quiz

Featured Articles

What Animal Am I QuizAm I Gay QuizHow Well Do I Know My Best Friend QuizAm I an Alpha, Beta, or Omega Quiz

Featured Articles

160+ Good Roasts to Burn Your Friends & Family MembersHow to Play the Snaps Guessing Game140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your PlayThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz LinesVirtual Truth or Dare Questions to Keep Things Interesting180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any Argument

Watch Articles

How toEat GuavaHow to Get Yellow Stains Out of White ShoesLeft Eye Twitching for Females: What Astrology Says About Eye Twitching50 First Date Conversation Starters to Spark a ConnectionHow to Make a Mask Out of Paper (for Kids or Adults)How to Put Jibbitz on Crocs

Trending Articles

Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?How to Read Face Moles: Lucky and Unlucky PlacementsWhat JJK Character Am I QuizFade Hairstyle Types for Men: A Complete GuideRecessed Maxilla (Upper Jawbone): Symptoms & TreatmentCan Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?

Quizzes & Games

How Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizCan We Guess Your Birthday QuizTake QuizMemory TestTake QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Type of Hands Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhich Niche AI TikTok Fruit Am I QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Food and Entertaining
• Food Preparation
• Food Preservation Techniques

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --551