- Yes, you can freeze cherries with no problem, pitted or not!
- They keep for 10 to 12 months in the freezer at -18 °C
- The key trick: freeze them spread out on a tray first before bagging them
- Perfect for cooking: smoothies, compotes, jams, clafoutis 😋
- Texture changes after thawing — great for cooking, less for eating raw
- Vitamins are well preserved, with only a moderate loss of vitamin C
You're back from a great picking session with kilos of cherries and you're wondering how to enjoy them all year long? Good news: freezing cherries is simple, fast, and it works really well! We'll walk you through every step in this guide.
Why freeze your cherries? 🍒
Cherry season is short! A few weeks in June-July and it's already over. Freezing cherries is THE solution to enjoy them in the middle of December. And honestly, it's almost too easy.
First, a reassuring point: vitamins and nutrients are very well preserved by freezing. Your cherries will keep most of their benefits — vitamin C, antioxidants, potassium. No waste!
And let's be honest: after a big picking session at the orchard, you sometimes end up with 5 or 6 kilos of cherries on your hands. Impossible to eat everything in three days! Rather than watching them spoil, we freeze them. It's that simple. If you want to know more about the fruit itself, have a look at our complete guide to cherries.
Freezing cherries step by step 🧊
Here's the method that gives the best results. Follow the guide!
Step 1: Wash and dry thoroughly. Rinse your cherries under cold water, remove any damaged ones, then dry them carefully with a clean cloth. This matters: leftover water creates frost and ruins the texture.
Step 2: Pit them or not? Both options work! If you're planning to use them for baking or smoothies, pit them now — you'll thank yourself later. If it's for jams or compotes where you'll cook them a long time, you can keep them whole. Cherries with pits keep their shape slightly better, but they're less practical to use.
🍒 The time-saving tip: our free cherry pitter on site!
Pitting 5 kg of cherries by hand? Count on a good hour, red-stained fingers and a kitchen to clean 😅 At our orchard in Fernelmont, we provide our cherry pitter/crusher for free right after picking. In just a few minutes, your cherries turn into a smooth fruit purée — pits separated, full pulp preserved. Perfect for freezing in small portions and pulling out directly for your clafoutis, smoothies or jams all winter long. Just remember to bring your bottles or airtight containers 🫙
Step 3: Spread them on a tray. This is THE secret for frozen cherries that don't stick together! Cover a baking tray with parchment paper and spread your cherries in a single layer, without them touching.
Step 4: Into the freezer! Slide the tray into the freezer for 2 to 3 hours. The cherries should be hard individually.
Step 5: Bag and label. Transfer your cherries into freezer bags. Squeeze the air out before sealing — that prevents frost. Stick a label with the date on it. We always forget when we froze what, admit it!
💡 Our tip: make small 200 to 300 g portions per bag. That's the ideal amount for a clafoutis or a smoothie. That way, no need to thaw the whole stock for one dessert!
How long can you keep frozen cherries? ⏰
Your cherries in the freezer keep easily for 10 to 12 months at -18 °C. Basically, from one season to the next! You pick in July, you enjoy them until the following spring.
How do you know if they're no longer good? A few telltale signs:
- A thick layer of frost on the fruit (sign of a broken cold chain)
- A strange smell when thawing
- A completely mushy, discoloured texture
When in doubt, bin them. But if you followed our steps properly, it won't happen 😉
How to thaw cherries? 🔄
Several options depending on what you want to do with them:
In the fridge (6-8 h): the gentle method. Take your bag out the night before and let it thaw quietly in the fridge. Let's be honest: the texture won't be the same as a fresh cherry anymore — they'll be softer and have lost some juice. That's the nature of freezing! But for a tart, yoghurt or topping, it's still very good.
Directly into cooking: for compotes, jams or clafoutis, pour your still-frozen cherries directly into the pan or dish. No need to wait! Just add 2-3 minutes of extra cooking time. It's our favourite method, zero hassle.
⚠️ What NOT to do: thaw cherries at room temperature. They'll soften too quickly, lose all their juice on the counter and end up as mush. And above all, never refreeze cherries that have already thawed — it's an official recommendation from the French Ministry of Agriculture.
What to do with frozen cherries? 😋
This is where it gets fun! Your frozen cherries are super versatile:
- Smoothies: pour them straight into the blender, still frozen. They replace the ice cubes as a bonus! 🥤
- Compotes and jams: in direct cooking, no difference from fresh cherries.
- Clafoutis and cakes: a cherry clafoutis in the middle of winter, now that's the good life.
- Coulis: blend, strain, add a bit of sugar. Perfect on a panna cotta or yoghurt!
We've got plenty of ideas for you in our article 5 easy recipes with your cherries. Have a look, you'll love them!
Frequently asked questions ❓
Should cherries be pitted before freezing?
It's not required, but it's recommended if you plan to use them in baking or smoothies. With the pit, they keep their shape better — but it's less practical when it's time to cook.
Do frozen cherries lose their vitamins?
Very little! Freezing preserves the vast majority of nutrients. The loss of vitamin C is minimal, and antioxidants remain largely intact. It's much better than letting cherries spoil in the fridge.
Can you refreeze thawed cherries?
No, avoid it! Once thawed, cherries should be eaten within 24-48 h. Refreezing alters the texture and can raise food safety issues. Hence the point of small portions 😉
Can you freeze cherries with the pit?
Absolutely! It's even quicker to prepare. Just remember to note it on the bag label to avoid any nasty surprise in the kitchen.
Ready to stock up on cherries? 🍒
Now that you know everything about storing cherries in the freezer, all that's left is to come fill your baskets! At our orchard in Fernelmont, we grow bigarreau cherries, mainly the Regina variety — a firm-fleshed cherry that freezes particularly well. We even have visitors who come back every year specifically to stock up for the freezer and enjoy them all winter 🍒
Check our FAQ for practical info or take a tour in our gallery for a preview of the orchard.
Come pick your cherries in Fernelmont! 🍒
You pick, we weigh, you pay by the kilo. Simple!
Discover self-picking