How to Freeze Peaches

Juicy, sweet and packed with health benefits, fresh peaches are one of the joys of summertime. Although peach season is short (the fruit is at its best from May to September), you can still enjoy the stone fruit in the off-season by turning to the freezer. Learn how to freeze fresh peaches.

Before you can freeze peaches, they need to be sliced. Cutting peaches into slices makes them easier to store. Plus, it saves you time in the future because sliced peaches will defrost faster. Learn how to cut a peach.

While you prep the fruit, we also recommend peeling it. Although peach skin is edible, it's not always suitable for every recipe. Peeling peaches before freezing will save you the hassle of trying to remove the skin while it is frozen (an infinitely harder task). Learn how to peel a peach.

1. Combine 4 cups water and 3 tablespoons lemon juice in a large bowl. Dip peach slices into the acidulated water and transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Pat dry.

The acidulated water helps prevent the peach slices from browning when they thaw. In place of lemon juice, you could also use white vinegar or citric acid.

2. Arrange the peach slices in a single layer on a nonreactive sheet pan or plastic tray. Freeze until solid, about two to four hours.

3. Transfer the frozen peach slices to an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag. Label and date the bag before placing it in the freezer.

For the best quality, plan to use frozen peach slices within two months of freezing. For more on the stone fruit, learn how to store peaches.