Basic instructions for
How to Freeze Fruit from the Garden
(alphabetical list by fruit)
Freezing fruit is the best way of storing your produce long-term while retaining the vitamin and nutritional content. Freeze fruit as soon after harvest as possible for best vitamin content and consistency.
Freezing fruit can also be very economical. Pick up extra when it is cheapest (in season), and then freeze the fruit to enjoy the rest of the year.
Note: the methods for freezing fruit mentioned here (dry pack) don't involve sweetening them or storing in a syrup. This gives you the most flexibility in how to use the fruit later.
How to freeze fruit: General Guidelines
- To avoid bruising, wash only a small quantity of fruit at once.
- For fruits that discolor quickly, work with only small batches.
- Fruits often have a better texture if frozen in a syrup. However, we prefer to freeze them without when possible. (You can always add sugar later.)
- For the best quality when freezing fruit, it is best to freeze them quickly (at zero degrees).
- Keep a freezer thermometer in your freezer.
- Use quality freezer containers to help prevent freezer-burn.
- Only use ripe (but firm) unblemished fruit
- Remove as much air as possible from the container before freezing fruit.
- When labeling, record the item being frozen and the date. This will help you use the oldest items first.
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) or Citric acid in a water solution can help prevent fruit discoloration. If this is a concern, soak fruit in citrus juices like lemon or pineapple juice or ascorbic acid tablets/powder solution (from the grocery store).
Generally speaking, use 1 tbsp of lemon juice per quart of water. However, note that citric acid can affect the flavor, particularly of mild fruits. In these cases, using ascorbic acid is a better choice. - Taste isn't affected by discoloration, only the appearance.
- When using the dry-pack method for freezing fruit, promptly package the frozen fruit to avoid freezer burn.
------------------
How to Freeze Fruit (alphabetical)
How to freeze fruit: Apples
Select only firm fruit. Wash, core, and peel (optional). Blanche in boiling water for 2 minutes, then move immediately to iced water to cool. Slice into bit sized pieces and soak in citric or ascorbic acid solution. Drain & place in freezer bags in serving sized portions. Remove air, seal, label, and freeze.
Use in bakery, pies, pancakes, applesauce.
My favorite recipes for Apples from the garden
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Apricots
Use only firm ripe fruit. Peel, remove pit, and slice. Blanche in boiling water for 2 minutes, then move immediately to iced water to cool. Soak for a few minutes in ascorbic acid solution. Drain. Store in serving sized portions in freezer bags. Remove air from the bags, seal, label and freeze.
Use in bakery, sauces, or as a topping on cereals, yogurt, etc.
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Bananas
Select ripe fruit. Peel and place on wax paper lined cookie sheet. Freeze until frozen through. Store in freezer bags. Remove air from the bags, seal, label and freeze.
Use in bakery... thaw and mash as needed.
My favorite recipes for Bananas
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Blackberries
Wash and dry. Remove debris. Place fruit on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Freeze just until the berries have frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, the berries can then be removed in any quantity needed. Use as a topping on cakes, oatmeal, cereals, muesli, yogurt. Use in smoothies, and of course in bakery.
Don't have time during harvest season to make your jams and jellies? Freeze the fruit. Thaw it in the winter when you have a little more time & make your jellies then.
Click here to learn how to grow Blackberries
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Blueberries
Wash and remove debris. Dry fruit and place on cookie sheet in a single layer. Place cookie sheet in freezer just until berries have frozen through. Remove berries from the cookie sheet and store in freezer bags. Remove air from the bags and seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, the berries can then be removed in any quantity needed. Use on oatmeal, cereals, yogurt, in smoothies, and of course, in bakery.
Don't have time to make your jams and jellies? Freeze the fruit. Thaw it when you have more time & make your jellies then.
My favorite recipes for Blueberries from the garden
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Cantaloupe
Use only firm ripe melons. Halve and remove seeds. Peel and cut fruit into 1" cubes (I like to use a scoop and make melon balls instead). Place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet in a single layer. Freeze just until melon has frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, you can remove the exact quantity needed at any time. However, it is best to enjoy this fruit before it thaws completely. Try serving it partially frozen as a desert.
Click here to learn how to grow Cantaloupe
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Cherries
Use only ripe fruit. Wash cherries, dry, and remove debris. Halve the cherries and remove pits. Soak for a few minutes in an ascorbic acid solution. Drain and dry. Place cherries in a single layer on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze just until cherries have frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, the cherries can then be removed in any quantity needed. We enjoy cherries in smoothies, and of course in bakery throughout the winter.
My favorite recipes for Cherries from the garden
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Coconut
Remove coconut meat from the shell. Grate the coconut, and pack into freezer safe containers. Remove air, seal, and label. Freeze.
Note: when thawing the frozen coconut, itwill release a lot of water. You'll want to drain it before using. Save the juice and use as a flavorful substitue for water in baking or soups.
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Cranberries
Use only firm berries. Wash, dry, and remove debris. Place berries in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Freeze until the berries have just frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, the cranberries can then be removed in any quantity needed. Use in sauces, stuffing, and of course, in bakery.
My favorite recipes for Cranberries
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Currants
Use only ripe fruit. Wash, dry, and remove debris. Place berries in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze just until the berries have frozen through. Store berries in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, the currants can then be removed in any quantity needed. Use currants in sauces, stuffing, and of course, in bakery.
No time to make currant jelly this summer? Then freeze the berries and make your jelly in the winter.
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Figs
Use only ripe fruit. Wash and peel. Place figs in a single layer on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet in the freezer just until the figs have frozen through. Remove figs from the cookie sheet and store in freezer bags. Remove air from the bags and seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, the figs can then be removed in any quantity needed. We enjoy figs in oatmeal, muesli, and of course in bakery.
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Honeydew Melon
Use only firm ripe fruit. Halve the melons and remove seeds. Peel and cut melon into 1" cubes (I like to use a scoop and make melon balls instead). Place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet in a single layer. Place in freezer just until frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, you can remove the exact quantity needed at any time. However, it is best to enjoy this fruit before it thaws completely. Try serving it partially frozen as a desert.
Click here to learn how to grow HoneyDew Melon
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Kiwi
Use only firm ripe fruit. Wash and peel. Slice 1/4" thick. Place figs in a single layer on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and freeze until frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, the slices can then be removed in any quantity needed. Use in bakery (like you'd use bananas).
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Peaches
Use only firm ripe fruit. Peel, remove pit, and slice. Blanche in boiling water for 2 minutes, then move immediately to iced water to cool. Quickly soak in ascorbic acid solution. Drain. Store in serving sized portions in freezer bags. Remove air from the bags, seal, label and freeze.
Use in bakery or as a topping on cereals, yogurt, etc.
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Pears
Use only firm ripe fruit. Peel, core and slice. Quickly place for a soak in ascorbic acid solution. Drain and dry. Place in a single layer on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and freeze until just frozen through. Store in freezer bags. Remove air from the bags, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, pieces can then be removed in any quantity needed. Use in bakery.
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Pineapple
Use only firm ripe fruit. Core, peel, and slice into rings or chunks. Place in a single layer on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and freeze until frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, pieces can then be removed in any quantity needed. Use in bakery.
My favorite recipes for Pineapple
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Plums
Use only ripe fruit. Halve and remove pit. Freeze halves or cut into desired size. Soak in ascorbic acid solution, drain and dry. Place in a single layer on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and freeze until frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, pieces can then be removed in any quantity needed. Use in bakery.
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Raspberries
Wash and dry. Remove debris. Place fruit on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Freeze just until the berries have frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, the berries can then be removed in any quantity needed. Use as a topping on cakes, oatmeal, cereals, muesli, yogurt. Use in smoothies, and of course, in bakery.
Don't have time to make your jams and jellies? Freeze the fruit. Thaw it when you have a little more time & make your jellies then.
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Rhubarb
Use unblemished, crisp and red rhubarb stalks (early spring is best time to harvest rhubarb). Remove leaves and wash stalks. Dice into 1" pieces. Place on cookie tray in single layer and freeze until just frozen through. Pack rhubarb into freezer bags, remove air, seal and label.
Use in sauces and bakery.
My favorite recipes for Rhubarb from the garden
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Strawberries
Wash strawberries, remove caps, and slice. Place in freezer bags, remove air, and seal. Mark bags and freeze.
Note: freeze only enough in each bag for a typical serving size. If you prefer sweeter berries, you can mix with sugar and a little lemon juice before freezing.
We enjoy strawberries on oatmeal, cereals, yogurt, smoothies, and of course, bakery.
Don't have time to make your jams and jellies? Freeze the fruit. Thaw it when you have more time & make your jellies then.
Click here to learn how to grow Strawberries
My favorite recipes for Strawberries from the garden
------------------------
How to freeze fruit: Watermelon
Use only firm ripe melons. Halve the watermelon. Peel and cut melon into 1" cubes, removing seeds as you see them. (I like to use a scoop and make melon balls instead). Place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet in a single layer and freeze just until frozen through. Store in freezer bags, remove air, seal, label and freeze.
Frozen this way, you can remove the exact quantity needed at any time. However, enjoy this fruit before it thaws completely. Try serving it partially frozen as a desert.
Tips From Our Readers:
Have a great idea to share about freezing fruit?
Submit your own tips to us at: gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com
Note: the advice and information contained herein is based upon our experience and study. As with any advice, please apply at your own discretion.