Fresh cherries are a juicy-sweet summer treat, perfect for a snack, salad topping or smoothie mix-in. Their season is short, from June to August, so be sure to stock up while they’re in our stores. Check out our buying tips and festive recipes to make the most of cherries this summer.
Summer Cherries to Love
Don‘t miss these special cherries that are at their peak during summer months.*
Strawberry Cherry
Strawberry cherries are distinctly larger than most cherries and have a glossy, ruby-red outside that's picnic perfect. Their extra-sweet and juicy flesh create a vibrant flavor profile. Make sure to grab these in June while in-season; they are a rare variety with limited supply.
Skylar Rae Cherry
This cherry is known for being firmer than your traditional cherry, so be sure to pick some up if you love a good crunch. Even though the Skylar Rae is extra juicy, it’s best not to use in baked goods because of its crisp texture. Enjoy as a summer salad topper or even as a final touch to a bubbly summer beverage.
Wild Cherry
While they are similar in appearance to a red cherry, wild cherries have a higher sweetness level that adds an extra zing to its flavor. They're perfect to pack in your picnic basket or summer adventuring backpack for a midday snack. Pro tip: Wild cherries can be elusive to find, so if you see them in-store be sure to grab some!
Rainier Cherry
The fruit’s glossy skin complements their light, floral taste. Their peak season is late spring through early summer, so be sure to enjoy them during this short time. Try adding to your summer beverage for a fun, fruity twist, or out of your hand for a simple dessert.
How to Buy Fresh Cherries
Cherries can range in color: From the light blush of Rainier cherries to bright red to deep, dark purple. But how do you pick the best quality cherries? Here are some tips to follow when shopping our Produce department opens in a new tab:
Check the stems: Fresh cherries have green stems.
Give them a feel: Cherries should be firm, no soft spots or bruising.
Look for color: Depending on variety, ideally they should be deep, bright red to mahogany.
Give them the once over: Cherries should be free of insect damage and pitting (little indentations caused by dehydration).
Top Ways to Enjoy Fresh Cherries
There's endless ways to fill your summer days with cherry-forward dishes and desserts.
Make smoothies.
Start your day with a cherry-infused fruit-packed smoothie. Start with fresh or frozen cherries (find them in our frozen foods aisle), then add bananas, almond butter, strawberries or even a handful of spinach.
Make overnight oats.
The perfect make-ahead breakfast for weekday mornings, overnight oats are endlessly customizable with your favorite mix-ins and toppings. Use either fresh cherries or frozen unsweetened cherries. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Mix into pancake batter.
Stir fresh cherries into your favorite whole wheat pancake batter, then top with loads of fresh seasonal fruit and a drizzle of warm 365 by Whole Foods Market Maple Syrup.
Add to salads.
Mix fresh cherries with leafy greens or into whole grain and legume salads as a delicious way to add a pop of bright, juicy flavor. Bonus: Mix fresh cherries with olive oil and vinegar for a delicious salad dressing.
Make cherry preserves.
Preserve cherries in sherry or port wine to elevate their flavor and soften their texture. They make a gorgeous garnish for cocktails. Serve over ice cream, chocolate cake or brownies. Don’t toss the preserving liquid — it’s perfect for sangria.
Whip up frozen yogurt.
The ultimate refreshing treat on a hot day, frozen yogurt combines well with virtually any fruit. Here, fresh cherries add ruby red color. Prepare in the morning for an afternoon barbecue or cookout.
More Cherry Desserts:
How to Freeze Fresh Cherries
Fortunately, you can never have too many cherries. If you find yourself with more than you can use, don’t let them go to waste! Freeze the rest and you’ll always have cherries on hand to add to your baked goods, salads, salsas, mains and desserts all year long.
The easiest way to freeze cherries? Arrange pitted cherries on a sheet pan and place in the freezer until completely frozen. Then, transfer to a plastic zip-top bag. Label and date, then store in your freezer. For the best quality and flavor, foodsafety.gov opens in a new tab recommends using cherries within 8 – 12 months of freezing.
*Availability may vary.
