how long can pears be frozen

by Madelyn Corwin Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

around 12 months

How to preserve pears naturally?

Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Freezing Pears in Syrup

Put the pears into a pot with sugar and water. You can customize how sweet or heavy you want the syrup to be.
Boil the pears in the syrup for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn the burner to medium-high and stir the mixture gently.
Chill the pears in the syrup until they're cool. ...
Fill your containers and leave 1⁄2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) of headspace. ...

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How do you prepare pears for freezing?

The Best Way to Freeze Pears

Getting Started. Before freezing your pears, you need to make some decisions. ...
Syrup. A 40 percent syrup (medium syrup) is recommended for pears. ...
Sugar. Sprinkle the pears with sugar. ...
Juice or Water. Blanch pears in fruit juice (apple or white grape) or water for 2 minutes. ...
Dry Packing. ...
Helpful Hints. ...
Useful Pear Math

How to freeze apples and pears and keep them fresh?

The good news is there are a few items in your pantry that can keep cut apples looking fresh:

Salt water: Use 1/4 teaspoon salt to two cups of water. Soak apple slices in the salt water for a few minutes, then rinse before serving or storing. ...
Lemon juice: Tossing cut apples in lemon juice will keep them from browning. ...
Lemon-lime soda: This trick is a favorite of the Taste of Home food styling team. ...

Do pears freeze well?

Yes, pears freeze well. Especially if you freeze it in syrup form, you can make it last a whole year in the freezer. The key to great frozen pears is ensuring that pears are at just the right stage of ripeness before freezing them. Can you use frozen pears for smoothies?

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How long are frozen pears good for?

Freeze the pears overnight, then transfer the frozen pears to freezer-safe bags. Use your frozen pears within eight to ten months.

Can you freeze raw pear?

If planning to use pears uncooked, freeze using juice or water method. Freezing pears using dry packing or in sugar is the best method for pies or other cooked dishes. If planning to use pears in a sweetened jam, jelly, fruit butter, or sauce, try freezing using the juice or water method, but choose unsweetened juice.

What happens if you freeze pears?

Pears freeze okay. Pears brown and soften after defrosting, so they work best in cooked and baked dishes. To freeze pears, cut them into quarters, pre-freeze on a cookie sheet, and transfer them into a freezer bag to freeze for the long term.

Do fresh pears freeze well?

Any variety of pear can be frozen, but stick with pears that are ripe. Test for ripeness by pressing gently near the top of the "neck." If it gives, it's ready for freezing—or eating!

What is the best way to freeze pears?

Peel, halve, and core pears, then cut into slices or wedges. Line a cookie sheet or sheet pan with parchment paper, then top that prepared sheet with the sliced pears. Place the sheet and pears in the freezer and allow to freeze solid.

How do you store pears long term?

Store your pears at 30 F (and at 85% to 90% humidity), or as close to it as you can get. Any colder than this, and the fruit will be damaged; any warmer, and it'll ripen faster than you want. If you have a spare refrigerator (or you have extra space in your refrigerator), this is the ideal spot to stash your fruit.

What can I do with lots of pears?

Wondering What to Do With Overripe Pears? Try These 11 RecipesFreeze for Smoothies. Do you love to make smoothies? ... Pear Jam. ... Pear Crumble. ... Mash Into a Pancake Topping. ... Blend Them Into a Salad Dressing. ... Bake Into Fruit Leather. ... Pear Ice Pops. ... Vanilla Spiced Pear Butter.More items...•

What can I do with a glut of pears?

How to use overripe pearsUse them in baking. The more a pear ripens, the sweeter it gets, so overripe pears make the sweetest, juiciest pie and crumble fillings. ... Freeze them. If you don't have the time to do anything with them right now, just freeze them for later. ... Make them into a smoothie. ... Make them into a preserve.

What can you do with hard pears?

The next recipe for what to do with unripe pears is for stewed pears. This is a great recipe for less-than-perfect or bruised pears. Stewed pears are the perfect sweet treat on their own....Stewed Pears RecipeYogurt and granola.As an ice cream topping.On oatmeal.

Do you have to peel pears before poaching?

Pear skin has tannins, which could impart a bitter flavor if left on during poaching. To prep your pear for poaching, peel the skin of the pear away with a paring knife or vegetable peeler. Cut the pear in half vertically and remove the seeds with a melon baller or small spoon.

How do you preserve pears without sugar?

InstructionsWash the pears and halve or quarter them. ... Allow the pears to soak for 2-3 minutes in a lemon juice bath. ... Pack the pears into hot, sterilized jars.Cover the pears with boiling water, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.Process in a boiling water canner: 25 minutes for pints, 30 minutes for quarts.More items...

Can you vacuum seal pears?

Simply put: Yes, you can vacuum seal fruit! It's a great way to control portions and ensure you've got healthy ingredients on hand if you don't have time to go to the shop. Plenty of fruits don't require much preparation before being sealed, but delicate produce like berries need a little more work.

Do you cook pears before freezing?

Uncooked pears frozen in syrup can last for up to twelve months in the freezer, making it the perfect method for freezing a lot of pears! Poached pears or pears frozen without a syrup don't have quite such a long freezer life. You should be looking to use these pears within about three months of freezing.

What to do with lots of fresh pears?

What is the best way to store fresh pears?

Simply place the whole pears in a perforated plastic bag or a paper bag and place them in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Winter pears and Bartlett pears will last up to two months in cold storage, while unripe summer pears may last up to a week in the fridge.

What to do with lots of ripe pears?

When to freeze pear?

Erin Huffstetler is a writer with experience writing about easy ways to save money at home. Pears are in season from late summer into the winter, depending on the variety of pear. The most common variety is the Bartlett pear, which is in season during the late summer months.

How long do you let pears sit in sugar?

Sprinkle the pears with sugar. How much you use is a matter of personal preference, but 1/2 cup per quart is typical. Allow the pears to sit for 10-15 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved and a syrup has formed. Then, pack the pears in jars, leaving the appropriate headspace, and freeze.

How long to blanch pears for syrup?

Once the syrup is prepared, bring it to a boil on the stove. Then, add the pears and blanch them for 2 minutes. Let cool, then pack the pears in wide-mouthed freezer jars or other freezer-safe containers. Fill the empty space with your syrup. Leave 1/2 inch of headspace in each pint or 1 inch of headspace in each quart. To ensure the pears stay submerged, stick a piece of crumbled up wax paper at the top of each jar before sealing and freezing.

How to keep pears from browning?

Keep them from browning: Add either 3/4 teaspoon of ascorbic acid, 1/4 teaspoon citric acid, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 tablespoon salt or Ball's Fruit Fresh (in the amount specified on the label) to 1 quart of water, and soak the pears in the solution for a couple of minutes. Choose your preservation method: Preserving your pears in syrup will ...

How many pints of pears are in a bushel?

To determine amounts when freezing, consider these helpful tips: 1 bushel of pears is about 50 pounds and yields 40-50 pints of frozen pears. 1 to 1 1/4 pounds of pears yield 1 pint of frozen pears. 1 pound of pears is equal to about 2 cups of sliced pears. Pear Sauce Recipe: Canning and Freezing.

How long does it take for pears to ripen?

Pears need to ripen off of the tree, and it's a process that usually takes a few weeks. First, store your pears until they are perfectly ripened. Then, learn how to freeze your pears when they're ready. Wash, peel, core, and stem the pears: Then, cut them up into halves, quarters, slices—whatever you prefer.

When are pears in season?

Pears are in season from late summer into the winter, depending on the variety of pear. The most common variety is the Bartlett pear, which is in season during the late summer months. Look for Bosc and Comice pears in the fall and Anjou pears in the winter. Stock up on your favorites when they're in season.

How to freeze pears?

Prepare pears for freezing by washing fruit, peeling, and coring. Prevent cut pears from browning by soaking in one quart of water with either one-half tablespoon salt, three-quarter teaspoon ascorbic acid (often sold as Fruit Fresh), or 3 tablespoons lemon juice. Drain fruit before preparing further for freezing.

How long do you let pears sit in sugar?

For the sugar method, sprinkle pear pieces with sugar, and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes. The goal is to have the sugar dissolve and form a light syrup.

How long to boil pears in syrup?

Boil for two minutes. Cool both the fruit and syrup, and then pack pears into freezer containers, leaving one-half inch of headspace. Cover pears with the cooled syrup. To avoid fruit discoloration, keep pears submerged in syrup by filling the headspace with crumpled parchment or wax paper.

How long to cook pears in water?

Heat pears in boiling water or apple or white grape juice for two minutes. Cool, and pack into freezer containers, leaving one-half inch headspace.

How to make a syrup pack for pears?

The recommended syrup concentration for pears is a 40 percent or medium syrup. To make this, dissolve three cups of sugar in four cups of warm water. You can also lighten this syrup to as little as one cup of sugar for every four cups of water. If you need a no-sugar recipe suitable for diabetics, search online. Pears do best with some sugar — it helps the fruit retain flavor, color and shape.

When are pears in season in 2020?

April 15, 2020. Fresh pears can finish a meal as an elegant, low-calorie dessert or make a delicious addition to morning cereal or oatmeal. Freezing pears extends the season of this tasty fruit beyond the traditional window, gracing your mealtimes with pear slices, sauce, pies or any other creation you can imagine.

Can you use frozen pears in a pot?

If you want to use frozen pears in an uncooked method , such as a fresh fruit side dish, use the syrup pack method. This method is also the best choice when you start with pears that are on the firm side. Pears cut into pieces sit in cook pot.

When do pears freeze?

Find out how to freeze pears the right way—otherwise your ripe pears will turn to brown mush! Pears have a relatively short growing season that begins in August and ends in October. You can usually get pears year-round, but like apples, pears are best when they're at their peak.

How to freeze pears?

To start, fill a large bowl with ice water, then sprinkle in enough table salt to cover the bottom of the bowl. Peel and prep the pears, dropping them into the salt water as you go. Once finished, drain the pears and rinse thoroughly under cool water. (You won’t taste the salt!) Arrange in an even layer on lined baking sheets, leaving enough room for cold air to circulate, then freeze until firm; transfer the frozen pears to freezer bags for longer storage. This method is best if you're using your pears for baking and cooking.

How to pack pears in syrup?

To pack pears in syrup, first prepare a syrup of sugar and water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves (use 2 to 4 cups sugar for every 4 cups water). Bring the syrup to a simmer, add the pears and cook for about 2 minutes, then let cool. Pack the fruit in freezer-safe bags or containers, using about ½ cup cooled syrup for each pint of fruit. Pack flat in bags to coat the fruit in syrup. If using containers, leave room for headspace, and use a piece of crumbled parchment or wax paper to keep the pears submerged.

How to make a pears ice cream?

How to keep pears submerged in syrup?

Pack flat in bags to coat the fruit in syrup. If using containers, leave room for headspace, and use a piece of crumbled parchment or wax paper to keep the pears submerged.

Can you freeze whole pears?

You don't want to freeze whole pears, so you'll need to slice them in some way—it just depends on your end game. Remember to factor in logistics like freezer space, too—though halved pears are great for poaching, they’re bulky to store, whereas sliced pears make the most of any storage space, particularly if you stack them flat in freezer bags.

Should you peel pears before freezing?

If you're making a smoothie or puree, you can freeze pears with the peel on—it won’t detract from the texture or appearance. But for some baking recipes, you may want to peel the pears first.

How many pounds of pears can you freeze?

Anywhere from 2 to 3 pounds of fresh pears yield about 1 quart frozen pears, depending on your method for freezing pears. Then follow these steps for how to freeze pears in syrup. Store your fresh pears in the refrigerator if they can't be frozen immediately.

How long can you freeze fruit?

When frozen solid, the packages can be placed closer together. Use frozen fruits within eight to 10 months. Thaw fruits in their containers either in the refrigerator or in a bowl of cool water.

How to cut pears into wedges?

Peel, halve, and core pears, then cut into slices or wedges. Line a cookie sheet or sheet pan with parchment paper, then top that prepared sheet with the sliced pears.

How to drain pears?

Rinse and drain small quantities of whole, fresh pears through several changes of cold water. Lift fruit out of the water; do not let it soak.

How to prevent fruit from browning?

Treat the cut fruit with a solution that prevents browning by allowing it to soak for about 3 minutes in acidic water. For 1 quart of water, you can add any of these options: ¾ teaspoon ascorbic acid. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. ¼ tablespoon citric acid. Drain the fruit.

Can you freeze pears?

And the answer is yes; there are a couple ways to do it. Freezing pears allows you to use juicy Bartletts, sweet Anjous, and crunchy Boscs all year long. Come peak season, stock up on this fall fruit at the farmers market or grocery store, then follow our Test Kitchen instructions for freezing pears. pear close up.

Can you freeze pears without syrup?

If you're searching for how to freeze pears without syrup, and in fewer steps, use a dry pack (aka flash freeze). Here’s how:

How long can you keep frozen pears?

To enjoy the best quality, try to use frozen pears within a year after free zing.

How long does it take for pears to thaw?

You can safely defrost frozen pears in the refrigerator. It takes hours to overnight to thaw, depending on the quantity.

How to cut a pears into wedges?

Cut the pears in half and remove the stem. With a melon baller, remove the core. Subsequently, cut the pears into slices or wedges, according to your preferences.

How to clean pears from a tree?

Wash the pears thoroughly under running water to remove the dirt and harmful bacteria. With a peeler or a knife, peel the pears.

How long do you boil pears?

5. Heat the pears in boiling syrup for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the size.

When are pears in season?

In the Northern hemisphere, pears are in season from August to October. Some varieties are harvested a little late in winter.

When are pears ready to pick?

Pears are ready to pick when they are mature but not yet fully ripened. When pears are mature, they can easily detach from the branch, you just tilt the stem.

How Long Can You Store Pears in The Freezer?

Fruit frozen with the syrup can last up to 12 months in the freezer. To thaw leave them at room temperature or in the fridge.

How to tell if pears are ready to freeze?

Pears are best frozen when perfectly ripe. To tell if your pears are ready to go into the freezer, just squeeze gently around the top of the pear. If it gives, it’s ripe and ready to go!

How to dry pack pears without lemon juice?

This is a great way to get your pears ready for dry packing without resorting to lemon juice. All you need is a bowl of iced water, and some salt. You won’t taste any salt in the finished product, promise!

How long can you keep pear in syrup?

Best Before: Pears frozen in syrup will keep for up to 12 months.

How to prevent pears from browning?

To prevent fruit from browning, use a pastry brush and coat your pears with lemon juice. Finally, a use for all those leftover pancake day ingredients!

Can you put pears in a freezer bag?

You can then add the pears and the leftover syrup into freezer bags or containers.

How to stop a fruit from browning?

If you want to reduce browning, brush a little lemon juice on each side of the fruit.

Can You Freeze Pears?

Fruits are easy to preserve. One of the methods popularly done is freezing. By freezing fruits, one can enjoy slices of their favorites any time, even if they’re off season.

How to Freeze Pears

Pears are known for their subtle sweetness and are always sought over especially during its peak season. However, you don’t need to be deprived of its goodness during off season, because you can enjoy them all year round by simply freezing them.

Pear Recipes

Pears are great sources for vitamins and fiber. Here are some recipes that you won’t regret adding to your daily meals.

Wrap Up

Yes, you can freeze pears. Frozen pears will last for 6-8 months in the freezer. Here is how to do it: peel them, remove the core and stem ends, put on a tray lined with parchment paper until totally frozen (they shouldn’t be touching each other), transfer to air-tight freezer bags, seal tightly, date them before putting in your freezer.

How Long Does Frozen Fruit Last?

Fruit can be stored in the freezer for up to 9 months. However, some fruits do not last as long as others once they’ve been frozen and defrosted. For example, apples will only last up to six months when kept at a constant temperature in the freezer.

How long can strawberries be frozen?

On the other hand, berries such as blueberries and strawberries can keep fresh for a full 9 months or longer if kept frozen. These fruits can be stored in the freezer with no noticeable taste or texture changes.

How Can Fruit Be Stored In The Freezer?

There are many different ways that fruit can be stored in the freezer. For example, berries can be placed in an airtight container with their original packaging and then put into a freeze or Tupperware bin for longer-term storage in a freezer.

How Can Frozen Fruit Be Defrosted?

Frozen fruits are best when they have been thawed out gradually instead of being put directly into hot water or at room temperature. Thawing out the food slowly will keep it from drying out or becoming mushy before serving time.

Is It Okay to Freeze Fruit Together?

It is not a great idea to freeze fruit together because it can affect the flavor and texture of one or more fruits if they are placed in the freezer with another item for too long.

Can Frozen Fruit Be Used for Smoothies?

Yes, frozen fruit can definitely be used for smoothies! It is actually preferred that you use frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit if they are available because this will give you a colder and more refreshing drink overall.

Can I Eat Frozen Berries Straight From The Freezer?

Yes, you can eat frozen berries straight from the freezer for a cold and refreshing snack. If you are going to use them for a garnish or on top of other food items then there is no need to thaw them first before serving – simply add directly from the freezer.

How long to boil pears?

Place the pears and water in a large pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat; cover; and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the pears are soft, stirring often. Add the lemon juice and any sugar or cinnamon that you wish to include. Bring the pot back to a boil.

How to make a pear sauce?

Ladle the pear sauce into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch of headspace. Then, run a spatula or bubble remover tool around the inside edge of the jar to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims clean; top with a boiled lid; secure the band, and process in a boiling water bath — 15 minutes for pints, 20 minutes for quarts. Place the jars on a towel, and allow them to cool overnight. Then, test the jars for a good seal in the morning (press down on the lid; and if the lid doesn't pop back, the jar is sealed). Refrigerate any jars that did not seal. They'll need to be used within the next few weeks.

How to seal jars that haven't been sealed?

Place the jars on a towel, and allow them to cool overnight. Then, test the jars for a good seal in the morning (press down on the lid; and if the lid doesn't pop back, the jar is sealed). Refrigerate any jars that did not seal. They'll need to be used within the next few weeks.

Can you make pear butter with pear sauce?

Cook your pear sauce down further to make pear butter.

Can you freeze jars?

Seal the jars, and allow them to cool completely before freezing.

Can you make pear sauce in a crockpot?

Pear sauce can also be made in a crockpot. Since this recipe calls for a lot of pears, you'll either need to divide the recipe between two large crockpots or halve the recipe. Keep in mind that it'll take longer to make your pear sauce in the crockpot, but you won't be tethered to the stove while it cooks.