Typically grown in warmer climates, nectarines are a tasty fruit which provides plenty of vitamins and fibre. However, you might be wondering whether you are able to keep nectarines in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Nectarines?
Yes, you can freeze nectarines for up to 12 months. Nectarines freeze well with the proper preparation and under the right conditions. The good news is, if you are planning on making smoothies, for example, then there is no need to defrost your nectarines beforehand.
Do Do Nectarines freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Nectarines? No
However, if you want to consume them on their own, it is best to defrost them thoroughly in the refrigerator. Remember that, like most other fruits, the quality of your nectarines is likely to deteriorate the longer it is left frozen.
How to Freeze Nectarines
It is very simple and quick to freeze nectarines, so their shelf-life can be extended. Here is a guide to doing this:
- Wash:Make sure you get any germs or bacteria that are present on the nectarines off before freezing them; you do not want to preserve them too! Washing them in a colander will do the job.
- Remove the Stone: This is done because if you try to freeze the nectarine whole, the stone which remains will spoil the rest of the fruit as it does not freeze well. Cut the nectarine in half, remove the stone, and then either leave it in halves or cut it into smaller equal slices.
- Separate Slices Onto a Baking Tray: Doing this will keep the slices apart, which means you will not be left with bigger clumps than desired. Put the filled baking tray in a freezer drawer for 24 hours or until frozen.
- Move the Nectarine Slices to a Freezer Bag: Once frozen, you can now move the slices into a freezer bag as they will not combine and freeze together. As always, make sure the freezer bag is securely fastened.
- Squeeze Out the Excess Air: Press down gently enough that you will not crack the nectarines but firmly enough that all of the unnecessary air will come out of the bags so they can freeze optimally. Then put the freezer bag into your freezer.
3 Tips for Freezing Nectarines
Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing nectarines to have the best results:
Cut Into Smaller Pieces
The reason for this is that you might not be using half a nectarine for your smoothie or whatever you decide, so these smaller slices provide you with the option to use smaller amounts.
Peel Half, Leave the Other Half
Again, this gives you the option to use both if you are unsure if you would prefer peeled or unpeeled nectarines after freezing them. However, if you are certain, store them as you wish.
Combine With Other Stoned Fruits
You can create your own mixed bags of fruits by combining nectarines with similar, stoned fruits such as cherries, plums, peaches and apricots. These can then be used to make crumbles, pies and sauces.
How Long Can You Freeze Nectarines?
Nectarines can usually be frozen for up to 12 months. As with a lot of fruit, freezing your nectarines may result in deteriorated quality the longer it is left in the freezer.
Follow the instructions and tips above to prevent freezer burn.
Fortunately, nectarines freeze for a long time, but it is worth considering the potential loss of quality should you defrost them, which is why using them straight away in a smoothie or crumble filling is an attractive proposition.
Nectarines will last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, depending on how ripe they are. The riper they are, the less time they will last.
How Do You Defrost Nectarines?
Should you wish to make smoothies with your nectarines, then it is often fine to put them directly into the blender from the freezer.
However, you can defrost nectarines, even if they will not taste quite as good as when they were fresh.
To thaw your nectarines, simply transfer them from the freezer to the refrigerator. Leave them overnight to ensure they are thoroughly defrosted. It is not advised to defrost them at room temperature.
Can You Refreeze Nectarines?
It is not advised to refreeze nectarines. This is because the fruit perishes in quality during the thawing process, so defrosting it again will result in a significantly worse piece of fruit.
Once you have defrosted your nectarines the first (and only) time, consume them quickly before they begin perishing. Refrigerate them immediately after taking them out of the freezer to preserve their flavour, but only for a few days.
Do Nectarines Freeze Well?
Yes, nectarines do freeze well. If all of the freezing instructions have been adhered to and the temperature settings on your freezer are suitable, nectarines will preserve for a long time.
Remember to pack them sufficiently and not let them defrost at room temperature.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing nectarines or nectarines in general, then these may help:
Although it’s possible to freeze nectarines whole there’s no point. You’ll have to wait for the whole nectarine to thaw so you can remove the stone. Instead, cut them in half, remove the stone and then freeze them.
Yes, to freeze nectarine puree simply decant it into an ice cube tray. Wrap the wrap in a sheet of clingfilm to keep it protected and then freeze it. Once the cubes are solid, pop them out into a freezer bag.
