I’m going to share with you how to peel peaches the easy way!
My sweet mom sent me a text this week. “Want some peaches?” she asked. The answer is always YES. We get a big shipment of peaches from Utah around this time each year, and you can buy them in bulk from the Arizona Fruit Lady. I love fresh peaches so much, but sometimes it’s a little overwhelming to know how to use them all up before they are too ripe. I decided to try freezing some this year, and found this method for peeling that I just had to share!
After the peaches are washed, cut an “X” in the bottom of each peach, just through the skin. Get a big pot of water boiling on the stovetop while you prepare your peaches.
Let the peaches sit in the boiling water for one minute, and then immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water. When they have cooled, remove the peaches, and see how easily the peeling comes off!
We had all our peaches peeled in just a few minutes. And it’s so nice to leave ALL the flesh on the peach, rather than taking a thin layer off with a vegetable peeler or paring knife.
At this point, the peaches can be sliced, and the pit removed. You can use them in any recipe, or you can freeze them. I added some lemon juice to the cold water to keep them from turning brown. Then I placed them in an even layer in a freezer Ziploc bag. I use a straw to draw as much air out of the bag before fully sealing it.
I love knowing that there are delicious peaches all peeled, pitted, and halved just waiting for me in my freezer. When I want to make a peach cobbler this winter or add some sliced peaches to my oatmeal, I’ll be able to take out what I need from my freezer stash. Hope this little hack is helpful for you. Let me know how you like to preserve your fresh peaches.
How to Peel Peaches the Easy Way
Learning how to peel peaches the easy way will save you so much time and effort. All you have to do is boil water!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 10 peaches 1x
- Category: Kitchen Tips
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- pot of boiling water
- 10 fresh, ripe peaches
- large bowl of ice water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
To Peel:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Wash peaches, and then use a paring knife to make an “X” on the bottom, just through the skin.
- Prepare a large bowl with water and ice. Set aside.
- Place the peaches in the boiling water for one minute, then quickly remove and place them in the ice bath.
- Once cooled, the peel will easily slide off. Peaches are ready to be used!
To Freeze:
- Add lemon juice to the cold water. Remove the peaches from the ice water, one at a time, slicing them in half and removing the pit.
- Place the halved peaches back into the lemon water. Allow to soak for 3-5 minutes.
- Allow the peaches to dry on a paper towel, and then place them in an even layer in a gallon-size freezer Ziploc bag.
- Close the seal almost all the way, leaving a tiny gap for a straw. Draw as much air as you can out of the bag, and quickly pull the straw out as you seal the Ziploc bag completely. Freeze for up to 6 months.
- Use peaches in baked goods, smoothies, ice cream, yogurt, or to make jams or preserves.
My Mom taught me this method when l was a kid. She didn’t score them on the bottom but did the rest. I always loved to peel peaches because it was so easy!
Love this, thanks Val!
I have a peach tree in my yard, so every summer I have a TON of peaches!! Most of the people I share them with say that they are the best peaches they’ve every eaten. Luckily for me, the peaches that I grown are really easy to peel so I don’t need to do the boiling step. I just cut them in quarters, remove the pit and that scratchy area around the pit and then, using a paring knife, I grab a bit of the skin and pull it right off. Then I slice them up and freeze them on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. When they are frozen that is when I transfer them into a gallon Ziploc bag. I probably have enough frozen peaches to last me until next summer and I mostly use them in smoothies but will bake up the occasional crisp or pie.
I’m so jealous of your tree! Amazing! Great tips for freezing. Thanks!
Julie, Even easier way to peel – freeze whole peaches! Defrost for a moment or two as you get other ingredients together and the skin peels/rubs right off. Cut frozen fruit into slices – easily separates from pit – and add to recipe. Try one and see!
Can’t wait to try this, thanks Colleen!
I didn’t have a very easy time peeling the peaches. Wondering if it was because they were cold from being in the refrigerator. Any though
I had the same problem. It appears that, in my case, the peaches needed to be blanched for 3 minutes insteqd of one. Worked great after that!
My white peaches are still somewhat hard and not overly ripe and I forgot to cut an “X” at the bottom
It’s not peeling at all…. after I followed the instructions to boil for 60 seconds and soaking in cold water
Why?
Can I go back and redo by cutting an “X” ?