How to Keep Sweet Cherries Fresh For Longer: 4 Foolproof Unique DIY Methods!

Cherries are delightful fruits that you can enjoy even after their short season if you preserve them properly. Here are some straightforward ways to keep cherries fresh all year round through methods like brandying, canning, freezing, and dehydrating.

1. Brandied Cherries

Brandied cherries are a fantastic treat that can add flavor to desserts or be enjoyed on their own. They become a nice after-dinner drink when soaked in brandy.

How to prepare:

1. Fill canning jars with cherries (whole or pitted), leaving half an inch of space at the top.
2. Add 1/2 teaspoon of raw sugar to smaller jars and 1 teaspoon to larger jars.
3. Pour inexpensive brandy into the jars to fill them up.
4. Secure the lids on the jars and boil them in water for 10 minutes.
5. Store the jars in a cool, dark place for a month before eating them.

2. Canned Cherries

Canning is a reliable way to make cherries last. Removing pits makes the process easier. You can use a water bath canning method with syrup for sweetness.

Steps to follow:

1. Remove the pits from cherries if not done already.
2. For quart jars, make a light sugar syrup by mixing 1 1/4 cups of sugar with 5 1/2 cups of water. Adjust the sweetness as you like.
3. Process raw-packed pints and quarts in a water bath for 25 minutes. For hot-packed pints, process for 15 minutes and quarts for 20 minutes. Adjust the time if you are at a high altitude.
4. Allow jars to cool before storing them in a cool, dark place.
5. Enjoy the cherries straight from the jar after draining the syrup, even in winter.

3. Frozen Cherries

Freezing cherries is an excellent way to use them later in things like smoothies. Freeze them individually first so you can easily use what you need without defrosting everything.

Instructions:

1. Lay out the pitted cherries in one layer on a baking sheet.
2. Freeze the sheet for about 2 hours, until the cherries are solid.
3. Transfer the frozen cherries into storage bags or jars.
4. This method prevents cherries from sticking together, allowing you to take out the exact amount you require.

4. Dehydrated Cherries

Dehydrating cherries is another popular preservation method, though more time-consuming than freezing and canning. A simple trick can speed up the drying process.

Procedure:

1. Pit the cherries and place them in a single layer on dehydrator trays.
2. Freeze them for a day or longer before dehydrating.
3. Thaw cherries in a colander to drain extra moisture.
4. Once thawed, return cherries to the trays in a single layer.
5. Follow your dehydrator's instructions for drying.
6. Freezing beforehand removes excess water, making dehydration faster and more efficient.

How to Store Cherries in the Fridge to Keep Them Tart and Juicy

To keep cherries fresh and flavorful, store them unwashed in the refrigerator as soon as possible after purchase. Place them in a breathable container like a paper bag or a shallow bowl loosely covered with a clean cloth or plastic wrap—avoid sealing them in airtight containers, which can trap moisture and cause mold. Keep the stems on if possible, as they help retain freshness. Only wash cherries right before eating to prevent excess moisture from speeding up spoilage. Properly stored, cherries can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5–7 days.