Can You Freeze Grapes?

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Do you have too many grapes? What a wonderful problem! Don’t let your bounty go bad—freeze your grapes to make them last as long as possible.

How Long Do Fresh Grapes Last?

Stored properly, fresh grapes will last 1-2 weeks. To extend the life of your fresh grapes:

1. Toss any bruised or moldy grapes before storing.
2. Keep them in a perforated bag in the fridge. Stay away from tightly sealed containers—they need to breathe!
3. Don’t wash the grapes until right before you plan to eat them, as any excess moisture will speed up the decaying process.

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Can You Freeze Grapes?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze grapes. They’ll last way longer that way (about 10-12 months). But, to make the most of your frozen grapes, you have to know what you’re doing.

How to Freeze Grapes

Freezing grapes couldn’t be easier. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Remove the grapes from the stem and rinse in a colander. Dry thoroughly. You’ll probably need to let them sit on an absorbent towel for an hour or two to soak up all that excess moisture.
2. Spread the grapes evenly on a paper towel- or dish towel-lined baking sheet. Cover and place the entire baking sheet in the freezer. Leave it in there until the grapes are frozen solid (this should only take a few hours, but you can totally leave them overnight).
3. Transfer frozen grapes to freezer bags and label with the date. Store in the freezer for up to 1 year.

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How to Thaw Frozen Grapes

The best way to thaw frozen grapes is to transfer them from the freezer to the fridge the night before you plan to use them.

A word of caution, though: Though grapes that have been frozen and thawed are safe to eat, they probably won’t taste quite as good as fresh ones. Freezing and thawing change foods on a fundamental level, so the texture is often affected.

Believe it or not, frozen grapes are actually best used in recipes where they remain frozen.

How to Use Frozen Grapes

Sharon Lehman

The options are as bountiful as your grapes. Snack on frozen grapes by themselves for a healthy alternative to fruity candy, throw them into your morning smoothie, or use them as an ice substitute in cocktails or punch (unlike ice, they won’t water down your drink). For a quick and fun project, make small-batch grape jam in the microwave.

If you have many grapes, try making a batch of homemade grape juice.

A version of this article originally appeared on MyRecipes.com

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