How to Freeze Pears

There are several ways to freeze pears depending on how you plan to use them later. This article covers step-by-step methods for freezing raw or fully cooked pears, ensuring they remain in the best condition.

Freezing raw pears

Freezing raw pears is simple and works well for smoothies, baking and snacking. This method also takes the least amount of time.

Start by washing pear thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt or residue. Next, peel and slice the pears. Peeling is important because the skin may become tough after freezing and thawing. Removing the peel also ensures the pears will have a smooth texture when used in recipes. It’s the same when freezing fresh peaches.

After that, soak the slices in a lemon juice and water solution — 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of water — for a few minutes. You’re doing this to prevent browning and to help the pears maintain their bright color plus prevent oxidation. You got through a similar process when freezing avocados, too.

Pat the pear slices dry with a clean towel, then spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Make sure the slices don’t touch to prevent them from sticking together. Place the tray in the freezer until the pear slices are frozen solid, usually for a few hours. Once they are frozen, you can transfer the slices to freezer-safe bags or airtight containers. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the bags with the freezing date and store them in the freezer for up to 12 months.

“Whenever I wind up with extra pears, freezing slices is a great way to preserve them to use in future recipes,” says Susannah Brinkley-Henry of Feast + West. “I can use these slices in the future when making cobblers and pies.”

I should try this trick the next time I want to make a dessert like my cherry crumble, which uses frozen cherries. But instead of the frozen cherries, I’ll substitute frozen pears.

Freezing cooked pears

Freezing fully cooked pears is best when you want to use them for sauces, purees or baked dishes where texture isn’t as critical. Examples include muffins or breads. This applies to pears that you’ve already cooked or will cook in order to freeze them. You can use various methods to cook the pears — poaching, stewing, air frying or roasting them until they are soft and tender. At this point, you should be able to remove the pear skins very easily, much like when peeling tomatoes.

You want to avoid overcooking the pear so that they maintain some amount of texture. Once cooked, let them cool completely. If you had cooked them in liquid, strain them out and place them into freezer-safe bags. Remove excess air from the bags before sealing them tightly. Label the containers with the date and store them in the freezer for up to 10 months.

Using pears after they’ve been frozen

How you use your frozen pears will depend on how they were prepared before freezing. There are a variety of uses for both raw and frozen applications.

Raw pears

You can add frozen, raw pears directly to smoothies without thawing. For raw preparations, like salads, thawing them in the refrigerator overnight allows the pears to soften and retain their flavor. However, if you need a quicker option, you can place the frozen pear slices in a microwave-safe dish and use the defrost setting, which will thaw them in just a few minutes.

Alternatively, you can add frozen pears directly to recipes like muffins or pies. They will thaw and cook in the oven, contributing moisture and flavor without requiring prior thawing. You can easily incorporate raw, frozen pears into desserts or sauces and are excellent for topping pancakes, waffles or yogurt. You can also use them in savory dishes like salads or grain bowls.

Sometimes when I make this butternut squash soup recipe, I’ll add pears while the chunks of butternut squash are still simmering. Then I’ll use my immersion blender to smooth both ingredients together. The mix of sweet and savory really works.

Cooked pears

Cooked pears can be easily incorporated into desserts or sauces. They are great for topping sweet breakfasts, like oatmeal. Due to their soft texture, they are generally not suitable for savory dishes.

Final thoughts

When freezing pears, it’s important to choose the right ones. Opt for ripe but firm pears, as overripe varieties may become mushy more easily. Nonetheless, this is a smart skill to learn so you can preserve their natural sweetness and flavor long after their season has passed.

Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.