Can You Freeze Pears?

Pears just might be the most underrated of fall fruits. From refreshing Pear Salad to delectable Maple Pecan Pear Cheesecake, there is no shortage of delicious pear recipes to enjoy. Of course, pears can also be enjoyed all on their own – filled with juicy flavor – or paired with an assortment of cheeses and meats on a charcuterie.

The problem with pears? They have a short growing season and once ripe, they should be consumed pretty quickly because a pear’s shelf life is fairly short. 

With so many ways to eat pears and not a ton of time to do so, you may find yourself wondering: Can you freeze pears? Yes, you can, and thankfully there are multiple ways to successfully do these at home.

Can You Freeze Pears?

Pears can be frozen and used in future recipes, such as sauces or desserts. Before getting started, it is important to note that only ripened pears should be frozen for best results.

How To Freeze Pears

The way you choose to freeze pears depends on how you intend to use them in the future. Consider these three methods:

Flash Freeze Method

Also called dry packing, this method works best for pears destined for pies and desserts.

1. To begin, make sure pears are thoroughly peeled and cleaned. Make sure to let any water dry up from the fruit before cutting into slices or cubing.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then top with pear pieces.
3. Freeze for about two hours, or until the fruit is frozen solid.
4. Remove pear pieces from the baking sheet and place into a freezer safe plastic bag, being sure to label and date.

Pears frozen using the flash freeze method are best consumed within ten to twelve months according to the USDA FoodKeeper App.

Sugar Method

Pears that will be made into sauces, desserts, or other sweet recipes, can be frozen using the sugar method. The process involves sprinkling ½ cup sugar for every quart of pears on top of the fruit, though how much sugar is used depends on personal sweetness preferences.

1. Start with pears that have been cleaned and peeled, and have been given time to dry thoroughly.
2. Sprinkle sugar over pears and allow the fruit to sit for around fifteen minutes, or until a syrup begins to form.
3. Pack pears in a freezer-safe jar, leaving appropriate headspace, and freeze.

According to the USDA’s FoodKeeper App, pears frozen this way should be consumed within two months if frozen from the date of ripeness.

Juice Method

Pears stored in juice or water can be served as side dishes or made into jams and jellies.

1. To preserve pears in liquid, bring one and a half cups of juice (apple and grape work well) or water for every one pound of pears, to a boil.
2. Add in pears for around two minutes.
3. Let cool completely before adding pears to freezer jars (or other freezer safe container) and covering with liquid.
4. Leave appropriate headspace and insert a crumpled piece of wax paper to keep pears submerged in liquid before freezing.

How To Defrost Pears

When it comes time to finally enjoy the fruits of your labor, defrosting pears properly is important to ensure flavor remains.

The best way to defrost pears is to put them in the refrigerator and or to run them under room temperature water from the kitchen sink. Both methods allow the fruit to defrost without the addition of heat that can sometimes make fruit mushy.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best way to freeze pears?

  
  Flash frozen, sometimes called dry packing, is the easiest way to freeze pears. The best way to freeze pears depends on how you intend to use them.

• Should you slice pears before freezing?

  Consider how you will use pears before deciding how you should cut them for freezing. Keep in mind storage space and future recipes to determine the best way to cut – cubed, halved, slices – your pears.