Yes, you can freeze plums. Fresh plums soften after thawing, but their flavour is excellent in cooked dishes. Freezing stoned halves or slices separately first makes it easy to take out a handful for a crumble, pie, smoothie or breakfast compote.
Quick reference chart
| Question | Best answer | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh plums | Yes | Stone and freeze halves or slices in portions. |
| Stewed plums | Yes | Cool promptly and freeze in small containers. |
| Plums for baking | Excellent | Use from frozen in crumbles, pies and sauces. |
| Whole plums | Possible | Less convenient because stones are harder to remove later. |
| Best freezer time | About 3 months | Label portions for best flavour. |
Step-by-step method
- Choose ripe but firm plums and discard any fruit with mould or damaged patches.
- Wash and dry the plums, then cut around each stone and halve or slice the fruit.
- For loose pieces, arrange the plum halves or slices in a single layer on a lined tray and freeze until firm.
- Move the frozen pieces to a labelled airtight freezer bag or container, pressing out excess air.
- For stewed plums, cool them promptly, then divide them into recipe-sized containers with a little room for expansion.
- Use plums straight from frozen for baking or thaw them in the fridge for compote, sauces and smoothies.
Do plums go soft after freezing?
Yes. Water in the fruit forms ice crystals, so thawed plums are softer than fresh ones. That makes them ideal for pies, crumbles, jam, compote and blended drinks rather than neat fruit salads.
Should you freeze plums with sugar?
You do not have to. Plain tray-frozen fruit is the most flexible option. A little sugar or syrup can be useful if you already know the fruit will become a dessert filling, but label it clearly.
Can you cook plums before freezing?
Yes. Stew halved plums with a small splash of water if you want a ready-made topping or filling, cool it promptly, and freeze it in small portions.
What to read next
For more practical guides, see can you freeze peaches, can you freeze cherries, can you freeze apples, Practical Guides hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can you freeze fresh plums?
Yes. Stone fresh plums, freeze halves or slices in one layer, then keep them in an airtight labelled bag.
Can you freeze plums for crumble?
Yes. Frozen plum slices work especially well in crumbles, pies and baked puddings; you can usually use them from frozen.
Can you freeze stewed plums?
Yes. Cool stewed plums promptly and freeze them in small airtight portions for compote or dessert fillings.
How long can you freeze plums?
For the best flavour and texture, use frozen plums within about three months.
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For another soft stone fruit that is easy to save for baking, see how to freeze apricots.
For another soft fruit that is best saved for baking or compote, see how to freeze figs.
For another stone fruit that is easy to save for baking, see how to freeze nectarines.