How to Make the Best Homemade Guava Paste Recipe

This recipe on how to make the best homemade guava paste is all thanks to a happy winter discovery. Earlier in the winter season we started getting these sweet green little tropical fruit in our CSA box. A quick email to our friends at Sage Mountain Farm confirmed these beauties are pineapple guavas. With a floral, citrus fragrance that’s undeniable, this fresh fruit is not only easy to grow but their unique flavor paves the way for a delicious array of tropical flair in desserts.  

I first started using these in smoothies to add a boost of Vitamin C for an immune boosting breakfast option. After receiving bag after bag of these delicious small guavas, I knew I had to find another option. Enter: pineapple guava paste. 

Quick Facts on the Fresh Guava Fruit

Fine Gardening offers a great summary of the tropical fruit that grows well in California. The pineapple guava tree can produce an abundant amount of fruit that can be used for so many delicious recipes. The pineapple guava tree is an evergreen which means its foliage remains green and functional through more than one growing season. The trees can grow to 10 or 15 feet and produce lots of fruit that can be harvested in late fall or early winter. 

From the ripe guava, these fruits make great additions to compotes, jams, or jellies. They can also be used for garnishes on cupcakes, blended in smoothies, or used in salads. The blossoms are also rich in guava nectar making them a delightful attraction to our pollinator friends like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. 

Ingredients for the Homemade Guava Paste

Making this guava paste is a definite labor of love but is certainly well worth the effort especially if you have a lot of pineapple guava to cook through. This also works for pink guava but this recipe will focus on the measurements for pineapple guava as that’s what we’ve got in our CSA box. Here’s what we’ll need: 

• Fresh Pineapple Guava: We are using about 2.5 pounds (1133 g) of these fragrant pineapple guavas to help make the pureed guava fruit that paves the way for our paste. You can also use any varieties of guavas you can find at your local farmers market or local grocery store. 
• Water: We’ll need about 4 cups of water. We’ll pour in each cup of water in order to help create the guava puree. 
• Lemon: One small lemon that is zested and juiced will help to thicken the puree to create the paste given the natural pectin. You can also use lime juice here as the flavor profile is not significantly changed in swapping between the two citrus fruits. 
• Granulated Sugar: For the best results, I’m using white sugar here to help balance the tangy taste of the slightly tart fruit.

Equipment Needed to Make the Homemade Guava Paste

Making guava paste is easy though definitely takes a bit of time making this a great weekend project. That said, the following equipment will go a long way to helping craft the our guava paste: 

• 4-quart saucepan: This is where we begin to soften the fresh guava to pave the way to pureed the cooked guava in the first step of making the paste. I love this stainless steel saucepan from Demeyere as it doesn’t have rivets inside which, as you’ll see later in the cooking process, the sticky paste won’t get caught in any rivets or small cracks in the pot. I use this sauce pan for everything including this paste. 
• High-performance blender: Our Vitamix blender is vital and is the easiest way to process the paste into a smooth texture during the second phase of cooking. A high-performance blender is most helpful though you can also use a food processor to process the puree. 
• Mesh strainer: A large strainer is great for initially washing the fruit prior to cooking and it is also helpful in straining the guava puree to remove the guava seeds before simmering the guava sauce that becomes the paste. A chinois is also an exceptional tool for this part of the process. 
• An 8 x 8 inch baking pan: This helps to set the paste so that we can cut the paste into a similar size for each guava paste piece to use in our recipes. I love this ceramic baker from Emile Henry for this step. 

How to Cook the Pineapple Guava Paste

Preparing the Pineapple Guava Paste is a multi-step process that will take some active hands on time throughout. From start to finish, we can anticipate spending about an hour and a half. 

We start by rinsing the pineapple guavas to remove any excess dirt then slice them in half. Scoop out the flesh and add it to a large bowl. Next, we add the pineapple guavas to a saucepan and cover with enough water to submerge them. Cook the pineapple guavas until tender then blend them up until smooth. 

Strain the puréed pineapple guavas to remove seeds, which you won’t want in the paste. Pour the puree back into the saucepan. Add in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and granulated sugar. Stirring constantly, cook the guava paste mixture for 40 to 45 minutes or until the guava paste holds a line drawn down the middle of the bottom of the saucepan and does not immediately pool back together.

Here is where patience will be key. You will want to keep stirring the paste constantly for about an hour. See the below video to see the progression over the course of an hour. I debated on leaving the sound on, but think it’s helpful to hear the bubbling noises that signal how close the paste is to being done. If nothing else, it’s some great guava paste ASMR.  

Cooling and Storing the Guava Paste

Once the guava paste is thickened as shown in the above video, pour it into an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper. Place the pineapple guava paste in the fridge to chill overnight. The next day, turn it out onto a parchment lined cutting board to slice into small guava bars of paste. It will be slightly sticky to work with so the parchment paper works well. Alternatively, you can use wax paper. Use a sharp knife to cut out desired portions. Wrap the portioned guava paste in wax paper or parchment paper and store in a reusable bag. You can also store them in an airtight container. The container of guava paste will keep in the fridge for up to 3 months. 

Easy Ways to Use Your Homemade Pineapple Guava Paste

Now, for the fruits of our labor! Literally and figuratively. After the time and investment to craft this delicious homemade guava paste, it’s time to enjoy it! Here are a few great ways to relish in a paste that affords a burst of tropical flavor in every dish: 

• Cook down the paste with a bit of water to make the best guava jam for scones or to spread on a muffin. This can also make a delicious cake filling! 
• Create a guava BBQ sauce from the paste to baste a whole roast chicken or roast glazed pork tenderloin for an insanely delicious dish! 
• And, of course, the classic guava pastelitos! My recipe for guava and cream cheese pastries is the perfect way to use this homemade guava paste using a sheet of puff pastry to make the most delicious guava pastries to serve alongside an energizing cup of coffee. 

With a little time and lots of care, you’ll have a delicious homemade guava paste you can enjoy during guava season!

If you make it, please let me know how it goes! You can share in the comments below or on social media! Tag me on Instagram or on my Facebook page.

Cheers to the next nourishing meal. 🧡