In summary, yes, you can freeze grapes for a refreshing and healthy frozen snack or use them in various recipes, but they may become soft once thawed. Opt for fresh, plump, and seedless grapes for the best freezing results.
Deliciously juicy little fruits, grapes make a great snack, addition to fruit salad, green salad, smoothies, and even jam or compote.
Being a summer fruit, you might find yourself taking advantage of in-season discounts for bulk purchases and wonder if there is a way to make the excess of grapes last through the winter months.
The good news is that you can freeze grapes to prolong their shelf life, ensuring that you have summer goodness in your freezer all year round.
Here are the simple steps to freezing grapes successfully.
Can Grapes Be Frozen?
Yes, you can freeze grapes and make a frozen healthy snack—perfect for a hot day. Frozen grapes can also be used to make jam, sauces, and reductions. Once fully thawed, grapes will become soft and soggy, however, grapes are generally frozen for the purpose of eating in their frozen state while they are still firm and crisp.
Only freeze good quality, fresh and plump grapes. Do not freeze grapes that are soft or bruised. Although grapes with seeds can be frozen, seedless grapes work best. Biting into a frozen seed is not very pleasant. The seeds are also slightly bitter.
How To Freeze Grapes
Step 1: Sort
You can use the same method for red grapes and green grapes.
Pick the grapes off the stalk and remove any that are damaged, bruised, brown, or soft.
Step 2: Wash and Dry
Wash the grapes to remove any dirt or pesticides under cold water. You can also use your salad spinner to wash them. Let the excess water drain, then dry the grapes with an absorbent towel or paper towel.
Step 3: Pre-freeze
Spread the grapes out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Place the baking tray in the freezer for a few hours until the grapes are frozen.
Step 4: Pack
Remove the baking pan from the freezer. Transfer the frozen grapes into a resealable plastic freezer bag. Lightly press the air from the bag and seal.
Step 5: Label and Freeze
Label the bag with the date using a permanent marker. This way you can keep track of how long the grapes have been stored.
How To Thaw Frozen Grapes
Grapes that have been frozen are best eaten while still frozen. Eat them as a cold snack, blend frozen grapes into smoothies, or toss them into a fruit salad.
Defrost grapes in the refrigerator if you are using them to make jam, jelly, or preserves.
Types of Grapes
Grapes are small round or oval-shaped fruits that grow in clusters. They can be green, dark purple, crimson, yellow, or pink in color.
Grapes are classified either as table grapes which are eaten fresh or as wine grapes used mainly in the production of wine.
The difference between these types of grapes is that table grapes are larger, often seedless fruits with thin skin, while wine grapes are smaller and sweeter with a thicker skin. The skin brings aroma to wine and therefore the thicker skin is quite desirable.
Grapes are also used to make jam, jelly, grape juice, raisins, vinegar, grape seed extract, and grapeseed oil.
FAQs
How long do grapes last?
Grapes are best stored in the refrigerator to prevent them from going off too quickly, lasting 5 to 10 days.
Frozen grapes can be stored for 10 months up to a year, provided they are packaged in airtight packaging and kept at a consistently frozen temperature. The longer they are kept in the freezer the more the quality will deteriorate, so it is best to eat them sooner.
How can you tell if grapes are bad?
Grapes will start turning brown, becoming soft, mushy, or leaking juices when they are turning bad. They will also develop a sour taste and mold will appear.
Can you leave grapes on the vine for freezing?
Yes, grapes can be frozen on the vine. Make sure to wash them and keep them in an airtight resealable freezer bag.
Can you use frozen grapes to make grape jelly or jam?
Yes, frozen grapes will work just as well as fresh grapes to make jelly. Let them thaw in the refrigerator before cooking as per your recipe.
Do frozen grapes get mushy when thawed?
Yes, frozen grapes will become soft and mushy once thawed due to the water content in the fruit. They are best enjoyed in their frozen state for a refreshing and crunchy treat.
Conclusion
Frozen grapes are a great replacement for ice cubes in water and can be blended into your morning smoothies. Blitz the frozen grapes in a food processor to make your own grape sorbet or skewer the grapes before freezing, and you have a great summer party snack.
Whether you can’t finish all your grapes before they go bad, or are purposefully stocking up for the winter months, freezing grapes is a wonderful way to save money, food waste, and prolong their shelf life. You might be surprised to discover how many creative ways there are to use frozen grapes.
As a qualified Holistic Nutritionist, Helga has also combined her passion for good food and healthy living in wellness coaching. After years practicing in the catering and hospitality industries, Helga now focuses on sharing her knowledge and experience with others through writing about food tips, cooking advice, wellness, global food trends, and travel.
