Enjoy Northwest Cherries All Year Long!

Wouldn’t it be nice if cherry season lasted all year long? If you plan ahead and freeze cherries during the cherry season, you can enjoy cherries any time of year! Freezing cherries is easy and frozen cherries are just as flavorful and nutritious as fresh ones.

Freezing cherries during the cherry season is an economical choice too! Cherries are at their most affordable during cherry season. You’ll come out ahead by freezing them yourself.

Red Sweet, Rainer, and Orondo Ruby cherries all freeze well. Once they hit your grocery store, enjoy some fresh and freeze the rest!

How To Freeze Cherries

Freezing cherries is easy! First, de-stem and wash the cherries. Be careful to drain them well. It’s easier to pit a fresh cherry now than a frozen cherry later so go ahead and pit all your cherries too. Next, lay them out flat on a sheet pan. Place the sheet pan in the freezer until they harden. This typically takes about an hour. This step prevents the cherries from freezing together in one large clump. Once the cherries have hardened, remove the cherries from the sheet pan and place them in a zip-top bag. Remove all the excess air from the bag, seal tightly, and place in the freeze for later use.

Cherries can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. That’s an entire year to enjoy northwest cherries!