Can You Freeze Plums?

5 minutes

Got an abundance of plums? Maybe you have your own plum tree in the garden (or know someone with one)? Let’s freeze them!

How To Freeze Plums

Plums can be frozen in 2 ways:

1. Fresh-cut plums (in halves, wedges, or slices)
2. In sugar syrup

How to Freeze Plums in Halves

Freezing plums whole isn’t viable – they take up too much room, and you don’t want the stone inside in any case. If you want to keep them as whole as possible, opt for freezing them in halves:

1. Clean: For this, all you need to do is wash the plums in cool water to get rid of any possible dirt.

2. Remove Stone: Use a paring knife and cut the plums in halves, removing the stone. How do you do that? Carefully slice into the plum until you hit the stone, cut around the circumference of the plum, and then remove the knife. Twist the plum halves in opposite directions, and then pull the stone out, trying not to tear too much of the flesh.

3. Bag Up and Freeze: Place the plums into a thick freezer bag. Next, extract all the air possible out of the storage bag, flatten it at much as possible (this way you can store several bags on top of one another), and place it into the freezer.

How to Freeze Plums Sliced

If you want to have your plums slightly more prepared in wedges or slices, then this is the best approach to follow.

1. Prepare Plums: Give the plums a quick wash in a colander under cold running water. Slice your plums in half, remove the pit as explained above, and then slice the plums into wedges. Once your entire batch is sliced, spread them out in a single layer on a tray.

2. Freeze: You can cover this sheet with cling film or plastic wrap and freeze them until they are frozen solid. This shouldn’t take longer than a few hours.

3. Bag Up: Once firm, you can shift all the plums into a freezer storage bag and fill it to the top. Once the bag is full, seal it tight whilst removing as much air from the bag as possible.

4. Freeze Again: Finally, pop the bag of frozen plum slices into the freezer for up to 6 months. You can now grab a handful as and when you need them.

In both processes, removing the extra air is essential to prevent freezer burn. You can use either vacuum out the excess air or use a straw for the purpose.

How to Freeze Plums In Sugar Syrup

This method allows you to freeze the plums for up to 12 months and gives them an extra sweetness.

1. Choose & Prepare: Choose firm, ripe plums soft enough to yield to slight pressure. Wash in cool water. Cut into halves or quarters, and then remove the pit (see instructions above).
2. Make Syrup: Depending on the tartness of your plums, we recommend making syrup by dissolving 3 cups of sugar for every 4 cups of water (lukewarm). Add 1/2 teaspoon (1500 mg) ascorbic acid per quart of syrup for best results and to prevent browning. Cool before using.
3. Pack Plums in Syrup: Add 1 cup of cooled syrup to each quart container or 1/2 cup syrup to a pint container. Pack as many plums as you can (without overfilling) directly into your freezer-safe container, leaving headspace. Seal and freeze.

How Long Can You Freeze Plums?

Frozen plums will keep for 6-12 months, depending on which method of freezing you used.

Frozen raw (whole) and prepared plums can be used for as long as 6 months without any loss in colour and texture.

However, plums frozen in syrup or stewed can be kept in the freezer for a total of 12 months. This way, you can cherish your favourite fruit and dishes made with it all year long.

How Do You Defrost Plums?

If using the frozen plums in a smoothie, there’s no need to defrost them. Just add them frozen, and blend.

If you want to eat them raw, you can either just pick them out from the freezer and eat them, or thaw them in the fridge overnight.

To defrost stewed plums, you have to remove them from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once the hardness of the frozen plums is gone, they’ll be ready to use.

Can You Refreeze Plums?

Not really.

You can refreeze plums, but only when they’ve been kept at refrigerated temps for less than 2 days. Plums contain a lot of water, and after it is frozen and then thawed, refreezing can be a risky option.

If you have to refreeze a plum, you should cook it first and then freeze it.

Thawing allows the growth of bacteria and germs that can further multiply when you refreeze the plum. This turns the nutritious fruit rather dangerous for consumption.

Do Plums Freeze Well?

Plums are juicy fruits, and they do freeze well when you take the right steps to preserve them. From dessert toppings, cakes and cookies to smoothies and pickles, you can use your frozen plums as you like.

By freezing them, you can enjoy the flavours of plum even in the off-season.