No need to wait until the peach season to have sweet and delicious peaches. Read this tutorial on how to preserve your peaches to have them throughout the year.
I have ordered peaches from the Peach Truck for the past two years. If you have never heard of the Peach Truck, I highly recommend that you look them up. Every summer, the Peach Truck does a tour throughout the country, delivering some of the sweetest and juiciest to people. When I heard about this company, I immediately jumped on it and vowed to order peaches every summer.
Peaches are one of my favorite fruits. Unfortunately, I live in Ohio, where fresh peaches aren’t grown. We are at the mercy of resources like the Peach Truck to get some of the best peaches. So, when you get your bushel of peaches, no matter the source, here is a simple way to preserve your peaches.
Equipment used for freezing peaches:
This process of freezing peaches does require a few dishes. Here is what you will need:
- Large pot for boiling water
- 2-3 large bowls
- Pairing knife
- Slotted mesh spoon
- Freezer-safe Ziploc plastic bag
Step 1: How to remove the skin from peaches
To remove the skin from peaches, begin by filling a large pot of water and bringing it to a low simmer. Be sure that you do not bring the water to a full boil. While the water is coming to Steam and at a slight boil, fill a large bowl of ice water (i.e., half ice and half water).
Once the water is ready, use a mesh-slotted spoon and lower peaches in slightly boiling water one at a time. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Leave the peaches in the water for about 1- 1 ½ minutes. Next, use the slotted spoon to remove the peaches from the hot water and place them in the cold water to stop the cooking process. Finally, leave the peaches in the ice bath for about 2-3 minutes.
Take the peach from the cold water and begin to peel the skin using a paring knife from the peaches. It should be relatively loose and easy to remove. Once the skin from the peaches has been removed, place it in a separate large empty bowl.
Step 2: Slice and freeze peaches
Now that you have peeled your peaches, slice the peaches as desired and remove the pit. Take the sliced peaches and place them in another bowl. Once you have cut the peaches, add some lemon juice to the peach slices and toss.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the peach slices on the baking sheet in rows, leaving about a ¼ inch of space between each slice. Once the baking sheet is full, place it in the freezer, uncovered, for about 1 hour – 1 ½ hour. Once the peaches are frozen, you will notice the peaches are still a little soft. Remove the peaches from the baking sheet and place them in a large freezer bag. Label the bag and leave it in the freezer.
That’s it!
Recipes to use frozen peaches
The advantage you have of freezing your peaches is being able to make some of your favorite peach recipes all year long. Using fresh frozen peaches in recipes such as smoothies, peach jam, overnight oats, cobblers, peach crisp, and ice cream ensures you enjoy your favorite peach recipes each time! Here is a collection of some peach recipes on my blog that you would love:
- Homemade Peach Cobbler
- Non-Dairy Peach Ice Cream with Coconut Milk
- Honey Drizzled Peaches Recipe
- Bourbon and Peach Preserves
- Homemade Peach Pie
- Peach and Strawberry Shortcake Cake
Commonly Asked Questions
If you can remove a good amount of moisture from the peaches, you can preserve these peaches for at least a year.
Of course, you can if you like the skin. But if you plan on using the peaches for dishes like cobblers and pies, removing the skin from single sliced peaches may be difficult.
No. Adding the lemon juice helps prevent that process from happening, and when you put them in the freezer, it also prevents the peaches from turning brown.
How to Freeze Fresh Peaches
- Total Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes (including freeze time)
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
Freezing peaches is one of the easiest ways to store them. Learn how to freeze peaches and enjoy them year-round.
Ingredients
- 12 medium ripe peaches
- 2 tbsp. Lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a slight boil. Next, create an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water.
- Place the peaches in the pot of hot water, no more than 3-4 at a time. Leave in the water for 1-2 minutes. Long enough for the skin on the peaches to loosen. Use a mesh slotted spoon, remove each peach from the water, and place it in the iced water to let cool.
- With a pairing knife, remove the skin from the peaches. You should be able to remove the skin with your fingers. Set the peeled peaches in another separate bowl. Toss in the lemon juice.
- Slice the peaches longwise. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the sliced peaches in the freezer uncovered for about 1-2 hours.
- Finally, remove the peaches from the freezer and place them in a freezer-safe plastic bag.
- Freeze up to 1 year.
- Prep Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
- Category: How To Recipes
- Method: Freeze
- Cuisine: American
Thanks for sharing. I live where peaches grow and we enjoy them all summer, but then we miss them over the winter. Freezing is a great way to enjoy peaches all year round.
Thanks for all those helpful tips! Our Palisade peaches are in season, and I always buy a ton, so this will come in very handy.
Love this! I have a peach tree in my backyard that is overflowing and I know I can’t eat them all right away. I wasn’t sure what the best way to freeze them was and now I do, thank you!
Briliant! I always buy peaches by the crate in summer, and this will be a lifesaver to be able to freeze them instead of just making preserves 😉
We usually buy fresh peaches in bulk since so many are grown hear us and the prices are hard to refuse! This tutorial on how to freeze peaches has been so handy – definitely making the summer bounty last a lot longer!
I always buy an abundance of peaches every year. I love to freeze them – just like you said, so they can be enjoyed throughout the year! Thanks for the share!
We have a peach tree and this year it’s produced more peaches than we can cope with. Am in the middle of freezing them as you suggest. So happy I came across this post!
This is so easy, and I am so excited to make this for my peaches.
Thank you for sharing this with us!
So super helpful!! I always go to the farmers market and load up on peaches in the summer and I feel like half of them go to waste because I cant eat or cook with them fast enough. I had no idea you could freeze fresh peaches! The frozen ones at the store just dont taste great…not like when I use your method. Great info in here. Thanks for posting this!
Peaches are one of my favorite fruits to enjoy during the summer and I love how this recipe gives me the opportunity to freeze them and enjoy anytime of the year.