Homemade Guava Paste (Made with 4 Ingredients)

This guava paste is perfectly smooth and oh so flavorful! It's honestly a treat with its tropical sweet fruit flavor, and the best part is you only need 4 ingredients to make it!

Why You'll Love This Guava Paste Recipe

• This guava paste is beyond simple to make! This guava paste recipe comes together beautifully using only four ingredients and a little time. Very little technical skill is involved, so it's practically foolproof!
• You can use this guava paste in many dishes. You can make guava empanadas, guava paste glazed pork chops, or, of course, just eat it alone.
• This guava paste needs to chill overnight, which makes it the perfect dish to make ahead of time! Plus, it keeps so well in the fridge, so it's a total win-win!

Ingredients

• Guava- frozen, this tropical fruit tastes like a cross between a strawberry and a pear!
• Lemon- the juice and zest from the lemon adds a welcome and delicious zing to the paste.
• Sugar- to add sweetness, white sugar is best in this recipe. It really balances out the fruits.
• Water- helps to dissolve the sugar and bind the ingredients together.

How to make guava paste

Step 1: Fill a large pot with water and add the frozen guavas. Bring the water to a boil and simmer the guavas for 30-40 minutes, stirring frequently. The guavas should be fork-tender when finished.

Step 2: Transfer the tender guavas to a blender that can process hot liquids and blend them up. Once smooth, strain the mixture through a sieve, discarding the seeds. 

Step 3: Transfer the guava puree back to the same pot. Then, add the lemon juice and zest. Now, bring the mixture to a boil and add the sugar once it's boiling.

Step 4: Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, for about 35-40 minutes. When finished, the puree should hold a line drawn in the bottom of the pot with your spoon, like in the picture below.

Step 5: Transfer the guava mixture to a parchment-lined pan. Then let it cool overnight in the fridge so it can get that amazing consistency.

Step 6: Store the guava paste wrapped in parchment paper in an airtight container in the fridge, or serve after chilling alongside cubed cheddar and Brie cheese. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• I love using frozen guavas because they are easy to find in my local grocery store. If you have access to fresh guava, feel free to use those instead!
• Be sure to stir the guava mixture constantly so it doesn't scorch on the bottom of your pan.
• A heavy-bottomed pan will help to reduce the possibility of scorching your paste as it cooks.
• It's important to cook your paste until you see a very clean and clear line in your mixture. This will ensure that the paste will set correctly as it chills.
• I love letting my paste chill in a mini loaf pan! It makes cutting it into cubes or slices so simple.

How to store leftover Guava paste

You can keep any leftover guava paste in the fridge for up to 4 days. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and place them in the fridge until you can enjoy them.

 For easy eating, you can freeze leftover guava paste in small slices or cubes. Wrap these pieces individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe bag. The guava paste will last for a few months when stored this way. To defrost any frozen guava paste, place it in the refrigerator overnight. By morning, it will be ready to use!

Guava Paste Recipe FAQS

What is guava paste?

Guava paste is a delicious, jelly-like substance made from guava, sugar, and sometimes pectin. It is most popular in Latin American cuisine and can be found in thick slabs, or thinner jam like consistencies.

Can I use white guava to make this guava paste?

Absolutely! White or pink guava is perfect for this recipe. The best option is the one that is most easily available to you.

How can I use guava paste?

My favorite way to use guava paste is served alongside my favorite charcuterie board ingredients like cheese, crackers, and nuts. You can also use it to fill turnovers or empanadas. It pairs really well with cream cheese in my empanada dough.