{"id":1010,"date":"2021-06-23T02:33:53","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T02:33:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fueledwithfood.com\/?p=1010"},"modified":"2022-10-02T19:55:38","modified_gmt":"2022-10-02T19:55:38","slug":"how-to-freeze-cherries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fueledwithfood.com\/how-to-freeze-cherries\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Freeze Cherries in 4 Easy Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A handful of frozen cherries on a warm summer day is the perfect treat. Add them to a smoothie<\/a> or throw them in a bowl with frozen blueberries<\/a> for a low-calorie alternative to sorbet or popsicles. One cup of pitted cherries is only 77 calories! Even better, learning how to freeze cherries is easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When are Cherries in Season?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cherries, like most berries, are a summer fruit. They\u2019re typically harvested between May and August. There are even orchards that host cherry picking events during spring and summer if you want to pick your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because cherries may be on sale in the summer months, you may want to buy a surplus and freeze them for later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Freeze Cherries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can freeze cherries in a few simple steps. We recommend pitting them before you freeze them because pitting frozen cherries can be difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Wash your cherries and remove the stems<\/strong>. Pre-washing the cherries will make sure that they\u2019re ready to eat straight from the freezer. Dry the cherries thoroughly.<\/li>
  2. Pit your cherries<\/strong> using one of the methods outlined below.<\/li>
  3. (Optional) Flash freeze your cherries<\/strong>. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cherries on the baking sheet in a single layer. This should take a couple of hours. Flash freezing helps keep the cherries from freezing in a clump, but if they\u2019re dry when you place them in the freezer they won\u2019t stick together too much.<\/li>
  4. Place the cherries in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer.<\/strong> Make sure to remove as much air as possible to reduce the risk of freezer burn. Label the bag with the date that you freeze the cherries \u2013 they can keep for up to six months.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How to Pit Cherries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"pitting<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    If you don\u2019t have a cherry pitter there are two household items that you can use \u2013 a straw and a knife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Pit Cherries With a Straw<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Place the straw at the top of the cherry where the stem was. Push the straw all the way through until the pit comes out the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Pit Cherries With a Knife<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Using a paring knife or similar, slice the cherry lengthwise and pull it open. Remove the pit with your fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How Long Do Frozen Cherries Last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Frozen cherries last about six months in the freezer. If you vacuum seal your frozen cherries, they\u2019ll last years!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How to Choose Sweet Cherries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There are many different types of cherries. Sweet black cherries are one of the most common varieties, and typically have a dark burgundy hue. Rainier cherries are red and yellow. When choosing your cherries, avoid any that are wrinkled or bruised. Typically the deeper the red, the sweeter the cherry. It\u2019s important to understand what \u201cdeep red\u201d looks like for each variety, as the red in Rainier cherries will not be as dark as the red in sweet black cherries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    How Long Do Fresh Cherries Last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Cherries will last about a week in the fridge. It\u2019s best to store them with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture and help the cherries last longer. If you know you won’t eat them before they go bad, make sure to freeze them before they are overripe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"frozen<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Cherry-Friendly Recipes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You can eat the cherries straight from the freezer, defrost them on the counter or in the microwave, or bake them into treats. Here are a few ways to use frozen cherries. You may want to chop them up before putting them in baked goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n