Learn how to freeze fresh peaches without blanching, sugar, or lemon juice! This easy method is perfect for saving those juicy, fresh peaches for smoothies, cobblers, jams and more for later use.
We purchased a 25-pound box of peaches from The Peach Truck. This article is an honest review of my experience and how I used the product. I was not compensated in anyway for this article. All opinions are my own.
If you want to skip the review and go straight to the tips on freezing fresh peaches, click here. Otherwise, enjoy the review of my experience with The Peach Truck!
The Peach Truck Experience and Review
Recently, I purchased a 25-pound box of peaches from The Peach Truck.
Growing up near Georgia, I knew what was possible when it came to these delicious fruits. And I wasn’t going to settle for anything less than juicy, running-down-your-arm peach perfect deliciousness!
Let me tell you, The Peach Truck certainly delivered! Those were some of the best peaches I’ve ever had. We had so many to use up, so I gave some to neighbors, ate a few (skin and all!), dropped them in smoothies, over vanilla ice cream, and froze several pounds for later use.
Ordering and pick-up with The Peach Truck
The ordering and pick-up experience was a total cake walk! I placed my order online, and waited in peach-craving agony until my delivery date arrived. Then, I drove to the pick-up location, grabbed my box, and headed home!
I was really concerned that my peaches were going to go bad before I could figure out what to do with them, but they had specific instructions to ripen your peaches so you can enjoy them in their prime.
When you receive your box of peaches, they will all be slightly under-ripe. The folks at the truck will tell you to take them home, lay them out on your counter or kitchen table and give them 1-2 days to fully ripen.
My peaches all ripened at various times throughout the next week, so I was easily able to plan for each peach project!
When the peaches are ripe, they will have a slight “give” to them when you gently squeeze them.
How many peaches are in a 25-pound box?
Peaches are available to purchase in 25-pound boxes from The Peach Truck. The number of peaches will vary depending on the size. My box had around 30-35 peaches (roundabout), but I’ve read where others have enjoyed as many as 50 peaches!
What can I do with peaches from a peach truck?
Let me count the ways!
Ways to use up fresh peaches:
- Freeze for smoothies, pies, baking projects later
- Can them for fresh peaches all year-round
- Peach preserves/jams/jellies
- Eat them skin-on, peeled, or sliced over ice cream
- Serve them over angel food cake with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream
- Add to a Classic Ambrosia Salad or fruit salad
- Peel and slice them over yogurt and granola for breakfast or a healthy snack
Out of all of the delicious ways to enjoy them, freezing is the best way to ensure you can enjoy peaches all year round without sacrificing flavor.
Ready to see how it’s done?
How to: Freezing Peaches
Freezing fresh peaches is an easy (and fast!) way to make sure your produce doesn’t go bad before you can enjoy them. If you plan on baking with these later, freezing is a great way to maintain the freshness and flavor.
When you are ready to bake, simply defrost (you will likely need to drain), and follow your recipe for baked goods.
If canning peaches was as simple as canning tomatoes, I’d can peaches all summer long. But, because peaches aren’t as acidic as tomatoes, they require a special process that cannot be safely achieved through the hot-packing method.
Since I am not an avid canner, freezing is the next best thing.
You don’t need to blanch or toss in lemon juice for this method. Simply peel, slice, and freeze.
Steps to freezing peaches:
- Peel the peaches. This isn’t strictly necessary if you are in a huge rush, but it saves you from having to thaw and peel them when you’re ready to use them. If you are having trouble peeling them by hand, blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes and then plunge them into a bath of ice water.
- Next, slice and pit them, and lay them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. You can also spray the baking sheet with cooking spray without affecting the flavor.
- Freeze them for several hours on the sheet until they are frozen through, and then repackage them in a freezer-safe zipper bag or in a vacuum-seal bag. Getting as much air out of the bag as possible will help save your peaches from freezer burn.
Tips for the Best Frozen Peaches
Keeping peaches from turning brown
Some recipes call for sugaring or using lemon juice to to prevent the peaches from browning. Unless you are ultra-concerned with the appearance of the fruit, sugaring or tossing with lemon juice isn’t completely necessary.
There may be some browning in a few spots, but it won’t affect the flavor or texture of the fruit.
In the photo below, you can see some slight browning. These peaches were frozen prior to these photos, then defrosted. So if you are concerned about discoloration, this is a real-life example of how “brown” they will turn.
Since we typically use our peaches in morning smoothies, we skip adding the extra ingredients. There was a little browning in some areas, but that’s usually hidden pretty well after baking or blending.
If you want to err on the side of caution, toss the peeled and sliced peaches in a tablespoon of lemon juice, then follow the instructions to freeze below.
Depending on the way you want to highlight the peach, sugared peaches or peaches with lemon juice may or may not work for your recipe. Here are a few things to keep in mind when sugaring peaches or tossing with lemon juice:
- If you prefer bright beautiful slices of peach and don’t mind the added acidity of lemon juice to your pie or jam, you can use frozen peaches that were tossed with lemon juice.
- If you are using sugared peaches, make sure that you adjust the sugar levels in your recipe to account for the added sweetness of your fruit!
Freezing Peaches Whole
We usually recommend peeling and slicing your peaches before freezing them, but it’s also possible to freeze them whole. Simply put them in a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible, or vacuum-seal them.
The downside of freezing peaches whole is that it takes a long time for the whole fruit to thaw so that you can remove the pit.
Ways to use frozen peaches
Here are some great ideas for using FROZEN peaches in cooking, baking, and more:
- Peach sorbet or ice cream
- Fresh and fruity drinks and cocktails
- Jams, jellies, and preserves
FAQ: Frozen Peaches
Frozen peaches last for up to 6 months in a regular freezer, or even longer if they are vacuum sealed or stored in a stand-alone freezer. That means that you can enjoy delicious peaches in your smoothies and pies year-round!
Yes. Simply peel and slice your peaches, then freeze. The browning will be minimal and your peaches will be delicious!
Peaches will give slightly when you gently squeeze them. If they are hard, let them continue to ripen on a counter, table, or window sill.
How to Freeze Fresh Peaches
Ingredients
- Peaches
Instructions
- Peel and slice the fresh peaches.
- Add the sliced peaches to a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- After freezing, place peaches in a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
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