How to Can Cherries; Long-Term Food Storage

Marie Overton
Jun 30, 2021
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

I love to can cherries because freezer space is often limited at my house and a basic canned cherry is so easy to add to my long-term food storage. I enjoy having canned cherries on hand in my pantry because there are a number of different ways to use them later. This preservation method for cherries couldn’t be simpler and allows you to easily add this delicious fruit to your long-term food pantry.

INGREDIENTs

2.5 pounds cherries
1/3 cup sugar
hot water

How to Can Cherries

The following directions will make a 1-quart jar of canned cherries. I love how easy it is knowing how much is needed for 1 quart. Then I can just calculate how many quarts I want and prepare accordingly. For me, it’s generally a water bath filled to capacity.

Hands holding cherries over a yellow bowl filled with cherries. A box of cherries is nearby. The person wears a patterned shirt.

The first step is to destem the cherries so they can go in the pitter.

Bowl of dark cherries being washed under running water in a kitchen sink. Granite countertop visible, creating a clean and fresh scene.

Then, wash of any residual sprays.

Hand using a yellow fruit press to juice cherries on a granite countertop, with a glass dish of cherries and a stove in the background.

Lastly, pit 2-2.5 pounds of cherries.

Person in a beige apron pours cherries from a patterned bowl into a jar using a funnel on a kitchen counter. Visible text: "Mar".

Next, use a jar funnel to fill your hot jar with the pitted cherries.

Person adding sugar to a jar of cherries using a funnel in a kitchen. Herb-patterned shirt, ceramic kettle, and beige apron visible.

Top the cherries with 1/3 cup of sugar.

Copper kettle pouring liquid into a jar with cherries via a funnel in a kitchen; wooden utensils and a patterned bowl nearby.

Fill the remaining space with very hot water. Leave a 1/2 inch headspace.

Debubble the jars using a chopstick to release any trapped air bubbles.

Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to ensure a good seal.

Place the lid on top of the jar and add the ring. Tighten the ring to fingertip tight. (For quality, American made Superb canning lids and jars follow this link and use the coupon code WP20 to get 20% off your purchase.)

Process the jars in a boiling water bath (electric or regular) for 25 minutes if at sea level. Don't start the timer until after the water has come to a rolling boil. After the processing time has elapsed, remove the lid, turn off the heat and allow the jars to cool for 5 minutes. (Remember to adjust the pressure for your elevation if higher than 1000 feet.)

Once your cherries have completed the appropriate time in the boiling water bath canner take them out and sit them on the counter for 24 hours to cool and completely seal.

Jar of preserved cherries on a wooden board, surrounded by fresh cherries. The jar is sealed with a metal lid; background is blurred.

Canned Cherries

If your jar of canned cherries did not seal then place it in the fridge and use it immediately. Store the sealed jars in your lovely pantry to enjoy for the next 1-3 years. After three years the nutritional value of canned food diminishes.

If you have any questions about canning with the boiling water canner or how to adjust the pressure for altitude, take a look at our canning basics videos.