11 Best Asian Pear Substitutes

Asian pears are a delicious, versatile fruit that you can use in many different ways. They’re especially great salads but can also be used in desserts and baked goods. And now you can find them at your local grocery store.

In this post, we present 11 of the best Asian Pear substitutes. These are easy to find, tasty, and very affordable.

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11 Best Asian Pear Substitutes

Here’s the list of the 11 best Asian pear substitutes.

1. Anjou Pear

If you can’t find Asian pears, try substituting Anjou pears. Anjou pears are a French variety of pear that has been grown in Europe since the 10th century. They’re sweet and juicy with a smooth texture, making them ideal for fresh eating or canning. They’re also great in salads or desserts!

2. Soda

If you’re a fan of Bosc pears, try the hybrid that’s their offspring. Like its parents, it’s sweet and juicy, making it an excellent choice for eating fresh. It also works well when poached or baked. For those who love Comice but want something different, try Soda!

3. Pineapple

Pineapple is a tropical fruit that can be used as an Asian pear substitute. Pacific pineapple is sweeter than the Hawaiian variety, but both have plenty of Vitamin C to help keep your immune system strong. Pineapple also has manganese and copper, making it a good source of antioxidants.

Pineapple also boasts dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure by keeping your digestive tract running smoothly. It’s best to eat fresh pineapples within three or four days after they’re picked; otherwise, they start to lose their flavor and texture.

Pineapples are a great choice if you want something with a little more sweetness than an apple or pear but still want the health benefits of eating fruit!

4. Bosc Pear

Bosc pears are a sweet, juicy variety that is available year-round. They’re similar to Asian pears in appearance and texture, so they make an excellent substitute for them if you can’t get your hands on the real deal. Like Asian pears, Boscs contain lots of fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium—a nutrient many people don’t get enough of.

5. Kiwi

Kiwis are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a good substitute for Asian pears. Like Asian pears, they are crunchy and juicy. The texture is similar enough that you won’t notice the difference when serving your favorite recipes with kiwi instead of Asian pear. It’s a great alternative to Asian pears since it contains more fiber (3 grams per fruit versus 0 grams per fruit). It also packs a load of vitamin C into each serving: 3 milligrams versus 4 milligrams per serving!

6. A.1. Classic Marinade

Anjou Pear, Bosc Pear, Comice Pear, Korean Pear, Nashi Pear, Pineapple, and Soda are all excellent substitutes for Asian pears in this recipe. You can also use Sugar Pears, but they have a much sweeter taste which may not fit into many dishes.

Forelle Pears are not great substitutes because they’re too challenging and bitter tasting

7. Fuji Apple

If you’re looking to swap Asian pears for apples in your recipes, try using a Fuji apple. These sweet, juicy, and crisp fruits are often used in salads, desserts, and for snacking—and they’re available year-round!

8. Forelle Pear

Forelle pears, another European variety, are a cross between the Comice and Bosc pears. They’re smaller than Comice but larger than Bosc pears, with a slightly higher acid content than the former. The flesh is sweet and crisp, and the skin is smooth and thin. If you prefer your fruit to be tangier, this might be an excellent substitute for Asian pears in recipes like vinaigrettes or marinades.

9. Bartlett Pear

The most popular pear variety in the US, Bartlett pears are harvested in the fall and are available year-round. They’re sweet and juicy, great for eating out of hand—or straight from a tree!

Bartlett pears are one of the easiest Asian pears to find at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. If you can’t get your hands on an Asian pear, try these instead:

10. Taylor’s Gold Pear

As a sweet pear, Taylor’s Gold is easy to find in grocery stores. The ripening process of this variety is also very similar to Asian pears, so it will be ready for cutting and eating at around the same time as other varieties.

You can store this variety at room temperature for up to 10 days after you cut it open—though we recommend storing it in the refrigerator if you have a chance since cold temperatures will extend its shelf life. It’s also worth noting that these pears are good candidates for keeping fresh because they don’t bruise easily.

One of Taylor’s Gold’s most significant benefits is how easy it is to cut into slices! This makes them perfect if you’re looking for an alternative that requires little prep work before cooking or baking (and even when not cooking or baking).

11. Comice Pear

Comice pears, also known as Comice apples or Anjou pears, are large with golden orange skin. They have sweet flesh that is juicy and tastes similar to Asian pears. You can use Comice pears interchangeably in recipes that call for Asian pears.

However, they are not as firm as their Asian counterparts, so if you’re using them in a recipe where you need the fruit to retain its shape (like when baking or poaching), they may not work well.

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Best Asian Pear Substitutes – FAQs

What Is the Difference Between an Asian Pear and a Regular Pear?

The main difference between an Asian pear and a regular pear is their shape. Asian pears are rounder and more like apples, while regular pears are more elongated. Additionally, Asian pears tend to be a little sweeter and less acidic than regular pears.

Is a Korean Pear and an Asian Pear the Same?

A Korean pear is not an Asian pear but is similar in shape and size. The thin skin of a Korean pear makes it more similar to an apple than an Asian pear, which has thicker skin. It’s also sweeter than a regular apple and doesn’t have any seeds inside.

What Is a Good Substitute for Pears?

A good substitute for pears would be apples. They are both fruits and have a similar taste.

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Conclusion

Here, you will find all the answers to these questions and more. We’ll explain what an Asian pear is, how it tastes when you can use it in place of a regular pear (and vice versa), and what other fruits could substitute it in recipes. With this guide, you’ll be able to make any dish confidently, knowing that your substitutions won’t affect the flavor too much!