The Best Way to Buy and Store Fresh Cherries
Updated: Mar. 09, 2023
Make your fresh cherries last longer by following our professional purchasing and storage tips.
When it comes to juicy and mouthwatering summer fruits, there’s only one that can be the cherry on top! You guessed it—cherries are in the spotlight during their whole growing season, which is generally May through August. If you’re clamoring to make a cherry pie or put up some cherry jam, keep reading: We’re going to share our Test Kitchen’s top tips for picking and storing this sweet summer fruit.
How to Choose Cherries
The first step to nabbing the best bag is deciding which kind you’re looking for, since not all cherries are created equal.
If you’re planning on eating them raw, you’re looking for “sweet” cherries. (Their “sour” or “tart” counterparts are more suited for pie filling—or used to make dried fruit.) You’ll find both types at your local grocery store or farm stand:
Sweet: Bing, Skeena, Lapin, Sweetheart and Rainier
Sour: Montmorency is your best bet for sour
To pick the best bunch, look at the cherry’s stem and skin. Much like the nub of an avocado, the stem of the cherry indicates its freshness. Green, unbroken stems are perfect, and you’ll want to avoid anything that looks brittle and brown. If the stem is already rotted, chances are, so is the fruit underneath. No stem? Never fear… you can gauge the quality of the fruit by looking at the cherry itself. The ideal fruit is shiny and plump; wrinkles and discoloration usually mean they’re older. You should look for colors that range from bright red to maroon—unless, of course, you’re buying Rainiers, which are yellow even when ripe!
Here are 10 delightful facts about this cute little fruit.
How to Store Cherries
Once you’ve selected your cherries, it’s important to rush them into a fridge as soon as you can. Cherries are a pretty sensitive fruit—they lose their juicy taste in room temperature environments. They also absorb water when rinsed, so hold off on washing ’em until right before you’re about to eat or bake. Store unwashed cherries between layers of paper towels, but if that’s too much work, focus on keeping them dry and cold at a minimum.
Stored correctly, cherries will last for around a week in the fridge. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing the fruits in airtight plastic bags. By the time you’re ready to use them in your favorite fresh cherry recipes, they’ll still be juicy and delicious!
Cherry and Chocolate Ice Cream Pie
We took cherry pie to a whole new level as a frozen treat. With a luscious layer of chocolate fudge inside, this is one impressive pie. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
Michigan Cherry Japanese-Style Cheesecake
Michigan is known for its amazing cherries, especially the tart ones, so we have plenty of opportunities to find new ways to try and use them. They became my muse for this recipe—a twist on the traditional American cheesecake recipe. I decided to make use of the extraordinary texture and unique taste found in a Japanese-style cheesecake, which is light and melts in your mouth. —Laura Kurella, Wellston, Michigan
Spiced Cherry Chutney
This fruity chutney gets deep flavor from ginger, cardamom, allspice and balsamic vinegar. It tastes amazing on grilled chicken or pork. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Summer Buzz Fruit Salad
For picnics, cookouts and showers, we make a sweet salad of watermelon, cherries, blueberries and microgreens. No matter where I take it, it always delivers on the wow factor. —Kaliska Russell, Talkeetna, Alaska
Black Forest Panettone Pudding
My chocolate-cherry bread pudding uses Panettone, the holiday bread people often receive but aren't sure how to use. I make a glorious sauce for it using ice cream. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Cherry Bounce
Smooth and with the fragrant flavor of sweet cherries, this homemade cherry bounce recipe makes a wonderful holiday gift. For an additional treat, the drained cherries are delicious over vanilla ice cream. —Matt Warren, Mequon, Wisconsin
Over-the-Top Cherry Jam
We live in Door County, an area known for its wonderful tart cherries. This beautiful, sweet jam makes lovely gifts. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Cherry Waldorf Salad
We combine apples with tart cherries and dried cranberries to give an autumn twist to classic Waldorf salad. —Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California
Juicy Cherry Pie
Cherry season is in the heart of summer. For this pie, choose fresh tart cherries that are bright in color, shiny and plump. They also should feel relatively firm when pressed lightly. —Karen Berner, New Canaan, Connecticut
Cherry Cheese Blintzes
These elegant blintzes can be served as an attractive dessert or a brunch entree. The bright cherry sauce gives them a delightful flavor. I sometimes substitute other fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries or peaches. —Jessica Vantrease, Anderson, Alaska
Cherry Cola Cake
Cherry cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice cream. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina
Cherry Barbecue Sauce
You can use fresh or frozen cherries to make this flavorful barbecue sauce. It tastes phenomenal on ribs and chicken! —Ilene Harrington, Nipomo, California
Michigan Cherry Pie
This tart Michigan cherry pie is delicious with the streusel topping but even better crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan
Northwest Cherry Salsa
We have five cherry trees—and I like to use every bit of fruit that doesn't get eaten right off of them. We enjoy salsa on a variety of dishes, especially this turkey. —Margaret Slocum, Ridgefield, Washington
Rhubarb-Cherry Chutney
I love surprising recipes like this chutney with rhubarb, apple and cherries. Try it with cream cheese and crackers or as a condiment for grilled chicken. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Cherry Pudding Cake
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this dessert is a hit whenever I make it to share at a potluck. My family insists I make an extra batch to leave at home. A neighbor shared the recipe over 30 years ago. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Cherry-Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I came up with this amazing recipe when I had a load of cherries on hand. My family polished them off fast, and asked for more. Luckily I had enough fruit to make them again the next day! —Melissa Barlow, Fruit Heights, Utah
Chicken with Cherry Wine Sauce
My dad's a chef, so I learned to cook at an early age. This saucy chicken was the first dish I made by myself. —Ben Diaz, Azusa, California
Chocolate-Cherry Ice Cream Cake
O say can you see this amazing dessert at your next gathering? I make it ahead of time and keep it in the freezer, wrapped in foil, for a week or so before serving.—Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia. If you enjoyed this cake, then you have got to try this cherry ice cream.
Chunky Cherry & Peach Preserves
Out of all the jams I make, this is my grandmother’s favorite. She anxiously waits for late June to come because she knows I’ll put up as many batches as I can while peaches and cherries are at their peak. —Amy Seiger, McLoud, Oklahoma
Roasted Peanut Relish
It seems I'm always making this zesty salsa packed with peanuts and fruit. And I've passed on the recipe too many times to count. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Cherry-Almond Streusel Tart
Brimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It's elegant, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario
Cool Summertime Oatmeal
Start this breakfast the night before so you can get a few extra z's in the morning. My husband adds coconut to his, and I stir in dried fruit. —June Thomas, Chesterton, Indiana
Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce
Enjoy the rich flavor of this pork chop dish. The spice rub also works well on lamb or beef. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Almond Tea Bread
My aunt brought her tea bread recipe with her from Scotland, and enjoying a fresh-baked loaf has become a family tradition during the holidays. Each slice is loaded with red cherries. —Kathleen Showers, Briggsdale, Colorado
Berry Cherry Pie
A neighbor shared this pie with me years ago, and now it has a big fan club. I'm always looking for new treats to bake for my family, but this is one I turn to again and again, especially in summer. —Wanda Van Voorhis, Plain City, Ohio
Berry-Cherry Peach Sauce
Fresh peaches and berries shine in this pretty, refreshing sauce. It’s terrific on ice cream, but also adds a sweet and tangy touch to pancakes, waffles or French toast at brunch. —Sandra Gould, Verndale, Minnesota
Almond Cherry Cobbler
This bubbling cherry cobbler is one of my favorite dishes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. —Melissa Wagner, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Black Forest Icebox Cookies
These rich chocolate wafers are the perfect complement to the creamy filling's sweet-tart tones. Chill for up to four hours; any longer and the wafers get too soft to pick up with your hands. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
County Fair Cherry Pie
This cherry pie is so easy! I'm a teacher and a Navy wife, so simplicity and quickness are both mealtime musts at our house. —Claudia Youmans, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Homemade Christmas Jam
A few years ago, I hit upon the idea of presenting family and friends with baskets of homemade jam as gifts. With cherries, cinnamon and cloves, this smells and tastes like Christmas! —Marilyn Reineman, Stockton, California
