Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze peaches, no blanching needed. This method preserves the peaches in apple and lemon juice, preventing them from turning brown.
The Easy Way to Freeze Peaches
Do you have a peach tree? Or maybe your neighbor has one? Or maybe you went to the farmers market and peaches were on sale? Or maybe you just love peaches so you want to make sure they’re always in your kitchen?
I love buying a big basket of fresh peaches at the farmers market and then freezing them to enjoy in the Winter when they cost a fortune. With my frozen peaches I love to make muffins, peach jam, and chopping them up for our morning oatmeal!
Either way, here’s the best way to freeze your peaches. This is my tried and tested method, that prevents the peaches from turning brown and keeps them good for about a year.
I love freezing vegetables, also check out How to Freeze Green Beans, How to Freeze Zucchini, How to Freeze Bok Choy, How to Freeze Corn, How to Freeze Carrots and How to Freeze Tomatoes!
Can you freeze peaches without blanching?
Yes, you can. The way to accomplish this is to slice your peaches up before freezing. This way makes it extra easy to defrost your sliced peaches and use them immediately in baking and other recipes.
How long do frozen peaches last for?
If store properly in the freezer frozen peaches will last for about a year, but I usually use them up in a few months!
Here is some peaches I defrosted after 6 months – you can see, they aren’t brown at all!
How to Freeze Peaches
Look at your juicy, beautiful peaches for a seconds. Did you grow them? You’re amazing! You’re also amazing if you bought them on sale because I love a good peach sale myself!
Cut the peaches into slices. Remove the peach pit and compost those. You do not need to peel the peaches.
Place a large freezer bag in a measuring cup or bowl. By putting it in the bowl, it’s going to support the bag since eventually we’re going to add liquid to it. Now add your peaches to the bag.
I like to separate my frozen peaches into 1, 2 and 3 cup servings. This is usually the amount my recipes call for, so it makes it easy for me to grab them out of the freezer and use.
Now take apple juice and pour over the peaches to cover.
Tip: Make sure you’re using a natural unsweetened apple juice, the ingredients should just be apples, not the juice that’s filled with extra sugar.
Now add a little bit of lemon juice into each bag. The lemon juice is going to prevent the apples from going brown. Please don’t skip this step!
Now seal the bag shut. You really want to try to get all the air out of the bags. For this, I like to use the straw trick where you suck the air out of the bag with the straw and then zip it.
Make sure to label the bags so you can easily identify what’s in the bag and how much.
Place peaches in the freezer and freeze until you’re ready to use them.
How to Defrost Peaches
Place the peaches in the refrigerator to defrost naturally overnight, or pop in the microwave to defrost in a couple minutes.
When ready to use them place the peaches in a strainer, gently pressing down to remove any juice/moisture from them. Now you’re ready to use your peaches however you wish!
(Wondering what to do with the leftover apple juice? You can simply drink it as is or add it to a smoothie!).
Pin for later:
How to Freeze Peaches (No Blanching)
PrintIngredients
- peaches
- apple juice
- lemon juice
Instructions
- Cut the peaches into slices. Remove the peach pit and compost. You do not need to peel the peaches.
- Place a large freezer bag in a measuring cup or bowl. By putting it in the bowl, it’s going to support the bag since eventually we’re going to add liquid to it. Now add your peaches to the bag.I like to separate my frozen peaches into 1, 2 and 3 cup servings. This is usually the amount my recipes call for, so it makes it easy for me to grab them out of the freezer and use.
- Pour apple juice over the peaches to cover them. The amount will depend on the amount of peaches you are freezing.
- Now add 1 teaspoon to each bag of peaches you're freezing. The lemon juice is going to prevent the apples from going brown. Please don’t skip this step!
- Now seal the bag shut, removing all the air you can get out. Label the bags with the amount of peaches and date so you can easily identify.
- Place in the freezer and freeze. Frozen peaches will stay good for up to 1 year.
- How to defrost peaches: Place the peaches in the refrigerator to defrost naturally overnight, or pop in the microwave to defrost in a couple minutes. Now place the peaches in a strainer, draining the juice from the peaches. Use peaches as you'd like.
Muriel Welter says
I’m sure you could just drink the apple juice. No need to throw it out!
Mercedes Mifsud says
I loved the recipes but do you do with the juice of the zucchini and the apple juice from the peaches I don’t like the idea of throwing it away thanks
Joyce says
I really like the idea of not blanching the peaches!! But a question….what is the apple juice for? I understand the lemon juice….
juliet C. Bishop says
I’m in Italy- am trying this because of its simplicity (no blanching, etc). However Ziploc bags are almost nonexistent in Italy (Florence) so am going to try it with a jar, is that ok? I will leave space at the top
P.S. I used to briefly live in Greenpoint ;))
Pamela says
Hey Juliet, absolutely, jars will work great too! Enjoy those peaches! 🙂