How to Freeze Any Type Of Fresh Fruit
Updated: May 15, 2023
Learn how to freeze strawberries, peaches and more.
There’s nothing better than a peach picked right in the thick of summer or a crisp apple right from the tree in the fall. But what about the off-season when farm-fresh fruit is difficult to find? Our Test Kitchen experts have an easy solution: Stock up on your favorites and freeze. Not sure if the fruit can be frozen? Check out our guide here.
Freezing fruit allows you to preserve as much of that fresh, flavorful taste as possible without any additives. If you’re looking to save fruit for later, follow these some simple steps if you want the best taste and texture.
How to Freeze Fresh Fruit
Step 1: Business as Usual
Before freezing, prep your fruit as you normally would before serving–that means giving all your goodies a rinse first. Then hull strawberries, remove stems from grapes, chop pineapple, pit cherries, and so on. Bananas, however, can be frozen whole in the peel and sliced after defrosting (and they work perfectly in banana bread recipes).
Test Kitchen tip: If you plan on freezing sliced apples, peaches, nectarines or similar fruits, you can dip them in a wash of lemon juice and water—that’s three tablespoons of juice to every quart of water—to help prevent discoloration. If you don’t mind these fruits browning slightly, feel free to skip this step.
Step 2: Freeze It
Place your fruit on a parchment or wax paper-lined pan and freeze. Avoid overcrowding so the fruits can freeze quickly without sticking together. Having your fruit frozen in individual pieces will make it easier to measure and defrost for future recipes, such as our favorite summer fruit pies.
Step 3: Get Packing
Once your fruit is frozen, you can remove it from the pan and store in zip-top freezer bags. Be sure to label and date your fruit. Frozen fruit such as this is best used within three months.
With a freezer full of fresh fruits, you’re ready to make tasty favorites any time of year. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of strawberries this season.
Here's how to use up your favorite summer fruits.
Tequila-Lime Fruit SaladLooking for a fast, colorful side to round out any meal? This refreshing fruit salad is pure perfection! —Angela Howland, Haynesville, Maine
Pineapple-Rhubarb JamRhubarb, pineapple and strawberry make an awesome jam that brings back memories of living on a farm and growing my own rhubarb. —Debbi Barate, Seward, Pennsylvania
Honey-Pecan Kiwi SaladThis dish won second place in a summer salad recipe feature published in our local newspaper. But it takes first place with my family, always happy to try my new creations. —Marla Arbet, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Irresistible Grilled Shrimp with Fruit SalsaThese skewers are super lean and scrumptious—especially when dipped in the fresh fruit salsa. We rave about the salsa's sweet heat and the shrimp's party-pretty look. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Red, White and Blue Frozen LemonadeThis patriotic drink is as pretty as it is delicious. With cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that is perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Grilled Peaches 'n' BerriesWith only five ingredients, this delightful dessert is so easy to prepare. Just halve peaches and sprinkle with fresh blueberries and a brown sugar mixture. Because they're grilled in foil, there are no messy dishes to wash. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Strawberry Watermelon SlushWe like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana
Aunt Frances' LemonadeMy sister and I spent a week each summer with our Aunt Frances, who always had this thirst-quenching lemonade in a stoneware crock in her refrigerator. It makes a refreshing drink after a hot day of running around. —Debbie Reinhart, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania
Summer Dessert PizzaMy family enjoys this dessert pizza recipe anytime of the year, but it's especially refreshing during the hot months. You can use whatever fruits are in season. —Ida Ruth Wenger, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Iced Raspberry TeaFrozen raspberries lend fruity flavor and lovely color to this pretty iced tea that's good throughout the year. The recipe calls for just a few common ingredients and offers make-ahead convenience. —Lois McGrady, Hillsville, Virginia
Watermelon and Spinach SaladSummer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii
Georgia Peach Ice CreamMy state is well known for growing amazing peaches. This ice cream has been a family favorite for more than 50 years! —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia
Originally Published: August 29, 2018
