Have a bunch of cherries to pit? No worries, we’ve got you covered with the easiest ways to get the job done—including a method for how to pit cherries without a cherry pitter.
Cherries are my hands-down favorite fruit! I love almost everything about them. The thing that is keeping them from being absolutely perfect? Those pesky cherry pits!
It’s not a huge deal to pop the pits out while you’re eating them fresh, but if you’re looking to pit a whole boatload of cherries for pies, jam, or other uses, it can get quite tedious. No worries! We’ve got you covered with four different methods for getting those pesky pits out—including a couple of ideas that don’t require any special equipment. Let’s get pitting!
Unpitted cherries work best in recipes where the fruit is visible, rather than in a filling hidden under pastry or cake. Cherries poached in spiced wine are an excellent example.
How do you pit cherries with a knife?
It’s almost impossible to pit a cherry with a knife and leave it whole, unfortunately. So if a whole cherry is important to you, you’ll want to try one of the other methods listed below. To pit a cherry with a knife:
- Remove the stem.
- Slice the cherry in half.
- Use the point of the knife or your fingernail to pop out the cherry pit and discard.
How do you use a cherry pitter?
The first way we recommend pitting cherries is with a tool that is made specifically for this job— a cherry pitter. This is one of those kitchen tasks where the right tool really does make the task much easier. If you plan on pitting large batches of cherries regularly (like say, you have your own cherry tree), a cherry pitter is a worthwhile investment.
There are multiple types of cherry pitters. The one I have used for years screws onto the top of a canning jar to collect the pits. I grabbed it for $5 at a cherry orchard on vacation in Wisconsin one year. The method for using all cherry pitters is roughly the same:
- Remove the stem from the cherry (or cherries, some pitters do more than one cherry at at a time).
- Place the cherry, stem side up, in the cherry pitter. It’s important for the stem hole of the cherry to line up with the pusher.
- Plunge or press the cherry pitter down to force the pit out the bottom of the cherry.
Easy Fast Way to Pit Cherries Without Cherry Pitter for Jams
FAQ
Do cherries have to be pitted before cooking?
Can you cook the pits out of cherries?
Can you cook cherries with the seed?
How do you pit cherries without a pitter?
To pit cherries without a store-bought cherry pitter, you can use a single chopstick. Push the thinner end of the chopstick through the stem end of the cherry, until the pit shoots out of the other side. 4. Wooden Skewer If you happen to have some wooden skewers leftover from making grilled kebabs, you can try using those to pit cherries, too!
Is it safe to eat fresh cherries?
It is safe to consume fresh cherries. You should always check they are in good condition, free of fungus, and wash them well.
How do you preserve cherries without pitting?
Cherry syrup – an easy way of preserving cherries. No pitting required! Great with sparkling water, in cocktails or over desserts. Cook cherries: Place them without pitting them in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add the sugar, lemon juice, and water, stir and cook gently on medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, about 5 to 10 minutes.
Can you eat unpitted cherries without a pitter?
In fact, there are myriad ways to pit cherries without a cherry pitter. Cherry pits are hard and rigid, and if you bite into an unpitted cherry and reach the pit by accident, it could cause some tooth pain. Of course, many people enjoy eating a bowl of unpitted cherries, simply spitting out the pits as they snack.