Discover Why This Fruit is Best Purchased Frozen!

In my freezer, there’s always a stash of dark, sweet cherries. They strike the perfect balance in the world of stone fruits, boasting a rich red hue and a flavor that sits delightfully between the overly sweet maraschinos and the tartness of sour cherries. While their fresh counterparts are only briefly available each summer, their frozen versions are a year-round staple.

The Enduring Appeal of Frozen Cherries

I’ve always been somewhat of a procrastinator, which might explain why it took the enthusiastic recommendations of thousands of friends and acquaintances before I decided to try frozen cherries. I had enjoyed many types of frozen fruits before—grapes, blueberries, strawberries, bananas—and used them as needed in various recipes. Yet, for some reason, cherries were late additions to my frozen fruit repertoire.

I soon realized that frozen cherries have a unique quality: they are incredible snacks straight from the freezer. That’s exactly why I now stock them throughout the year—even in summer when fresh varieties like Rainier, Chelan, and Bing temporarily dominate the grocery store’s produce aisles. Naturally, I grab those fresh cherries too!

Creative Ways to Enjoy Frozen Cherries

Perhaps you’ve tried incorporating frozen cherries into a smoothie. They perform like naturally sweet ice cubes, enhancing the richness and sweetness of cherry almond, banana cherry, or cherry chocolate smoothies without diluting the flavor. These frozen delights also add a refreshing twist to a yogurt granola bowl or as a cherry topping for overnight oats—they’ll be perfectly thawed by morning.

But the versatility of frozen cherries extends beyond breakfast. They are the stars in warm cherry crumbles, fruit-packed sweet loaves, or tantalizing cherry pie bars. Even savory dishes benefit from their addition—imagine succulent pork chops drizzled with a vibrant cherry sauce. Indeed, frozen cherries can elevate a myriad of dishes.

Yet, my preferred way to relish frozen cherries is simply eating them straight. Just pour a serving into a bowl and let them sit out for about 10 minutes until they begin to soften and ooze their juicy essence. Be cautious, though—despite being labeled as pitted, you might occasionally encounter a leftover pit or fragment. But that minor inconvenience hasn’t stopped me from savoring this mildly tart, sweet treat daily and recommending it to others as well.