Learning how to freeze fresh peaches preserves that juicy summer peach for later use in just a few simple steps!
I love peaches that are so fresh that you can hardly contain all the juices that flow from them when you peel away that fuzzy skin. The smell of them just begs you to make something glorious with them – like Peach Cobbler, Peach Ice Cream or Grilled Peaches to name a few.
The other day, I visited our local farmer’s market and as soon as I walked in, the smell of the peaches was like a heady perfume. I couldn’t help myself and before I knew it, we were loading three heavy half bushel baskets into the back of my car. After I’d made the required cobbler, ice cream and grilled peaches, I knew I needed to get busy preserving as much of that freshness as I could before they began to spoil.
Some of the peaches became peach jelly, others preserves and still more were dehydrated, but by in large I decided to freeze most of the fresh peaches so that I could use them in even more recipes and dishes throughout the fall and winter.
I remember Mama and my Grandmother doing the same each summer and by Thanksgiving, we were all so thankful that they’d taken the time to freeze peaches we’d promise to help them more the next year! Since I’m a few wrinkles older than I was way back then, the tables have turned a little bit and now Mama is helping me.
I know that come Thanksgiving, we’ll all be glad I loaded up the back of the car with those baskets of peaches. That, and we’ll wish I’d gotten just a few more.
Here’s the step by step I use for how to freeze peaches.
You’ll want to make sure that you select fresh, juicy, ripe and delicious peaches. Then, just peel them, being sure to also remove any places that may have been bruised if there are any. (Excuse the claw! Ha!)
Using a sharp knife, just slice into your peach stopping a bit before the pit to make sure you don’t damage your knife. Then, using the knife, just remove the peach slice from the rest of the peach.
And then plop it onto a baking sheet. I like to use the parchment paper so that the peaches don’t stick to the baking sheet when you flash freeze them. Repeat until you’ve filled up the pan.
Next, cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and pop it into the freezer for at least 15 minutes or so to allow the peaches to flash freeze.
Once they’ve frozen, remove them from the baking sheet and place into freezer safe bags or vacuum seal.
Some people recommend using Fruit Fresh sprinkled on the peaches to help preserve their bright coloring once they’ve thaw for use.
Frozen peaches should keep well in the freezer for up to 12 months if stored properly.
And in other news, I’m drying out the pits to try my hand at planting a few of these seeds to see if they germinate. Any peach tree growers out there? If so, any advice is welcome.
Pretty please.
Robyn xo
We have a small peach orchard in western Colorado. One of our favorite ways to eat frozen peaches is to semi-thaw them, pour cream over them, and maybe a little sugar. As the peaches thaw and mix with the cream and sugar, you will have a yummy fresh peach ice cream. We do this in individual servings so everyone can control the amount of cream and sugar. Whipping cream is great but, half-and-half works just as well…….ENJOY!
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How lucky you are, Donna! I love your ideas with the semi-thawed peaches. Sounds delicious.
Do you need to use fruit-fresh when sealing your peaches?
Frankie, I don’t use Fruit Fresh but you can use if you prefer.
Please if you throw your pits out to watch the dogs don’t get them. They are poisonous to them.
Thanks for sharing that Gina!
I’ve read that the process is to dry the pit out for a few days and then crack it open to reveal the seed. Plant in good seed starter and take care as you would any other new plant then transplant. Let me know if it works! ?
Hi Robyn,
How did your peach pit planting go? I wanted to tell you if it didn’t work to pay attention to the compost pile next spring if you have one. Throw some or all of the pits in your compost – a girlfriend of mine did this and found a “volunteer” tree the following year. She transplanted it and it bore her a huge harvest a few years later! Depending where you live and what kind of peaches they are (how cold hardy) this may work for you.
What a neat idea, Fran! Next weekend is the weekend I’d planned to make my peach jam so I’ll definitely give it a try. My little trees were doing fairly well and then they just fizzled in this heat. I think I planted them a little too soon and should have kept them in the garden shed/ nursery for just a little bit longer before transplanting to the yard. I’ve never been one with a ton of patience and this time it got me! 🙂 Love your friends idea though. I’m definitely trying it!
Annamarie is correct. Peach pits do not produce a true peach tree. They have to be grafted onto a parent tree. Best to buy peach trees at the nursery and leave the growing to the experts!
Robyn,
I have two peach trees in the back yard. We lost all the peaches from the smaller tree to wood chucks but we got a lot from the larger tree that’s closer to the house. I made an Ultimate Crumb Peach Pie from some of the peaches we grew. I posted it on my blog recently and I have photos with some of the whole peaches in them.
As for growing peaches from a pit, I’ve heard that the tree grown from a pit won’t have fruit true to the peach it came from but I’m not sure it’s true so maybe the nurseries are saying that to sell more trees. We bought our trees at the nursery. They’re semi-dwarf and self pollinating. Good luck with your trees.
Annamaria
There is nothing better in the dead of winter than bringing a little bit of summer with the taste of fresh peaches. Thanks for the reminder! I need to see if I can still find peaches in my area to freeze.
I would love to purchase a machine that seals food in bags….can you recommend one…brand or any info would be helpful…so many on the market and I would like a good one. I love freezing fresh veggies and fruits.
Thank you.
Hi Freda,
I know what you mean. I love to freeze fruits and vegetables and even use mine to repackage meats from the grocery store for freezing so that they last longer. I could go on and on about how much I love my vacuum sealer! I just recently bought a new one as an upgrade from my ancient one I’d had forever and a zillion years! It is by Food Saver.
Thanks Robyn, I love peaches and as we are coming into summer here in Australia this is a great tip. I have been preserving them in jars for years and love the smell when I open a jar of apricots or peaches mid winter. I have 2 jars left and feel peaches and ice cream might been in our stars tonight.
Kate