Learn how to pit cherries to use in all of your favorite baking, cooking, and snack recipes. No fancy kitchen gadgets are required! I’ll show you four simple methods to remove the seed using tools you already have.
The cherry season arrives during the warm summer months. Keep an eye out between May and August. These sweet, tart, and always delicious drupes are typically gobbled up right off the stem. However, when you want to incorporate them into recipes like a pie, cake, or a fresh cherry vinaigrette for a summer salad, you’ve got to figure out the best way to remove those stubborn tiny pits.
You could buy a fancy gadget like a cherry pitter (affiliate), but I recommend being more resourceful with tools you probably already have in your kitchen drawers. I tested various methods, from using a metal paper clip to a plastic straw. However, those just don’t work as well as chopsticks, pastry tips, or a paring knife. Pick your favorite, and you’ll have a bowl of pitted cherries in no time!
The chopstick method Gently but firmly press the chopstick down into the pit and push it out of the cherry. If you’re having a hard time steadying the cherry, place it on the mouth of an empty small glass bottle (i.e. glass cola or beer bottle) and push the pits out into the bottle.
Method Paring knife
When a recipe calls for halving the cherries, use a knife to do the job efficiently. Simply use a small and sharp paring knife to cut into the flesh and around the pit, just like cutting a peach. Twist the two sides apart, then pick out the seed.
Ways to use cherries
- Make a fresh sweet cherry pie
- Topping for pineapple upside-down cake
- Cherry dressing for salads
- Cherry parfait for a snack
Options include using a chopstick, pastry tip, metal straw, wire paper clip, or skewer. As long as the tool is sturdy and about ¼-inch thick in diameter, it will push the pits out.
Remove the stem then place the cherry on top of a bottle with the indented side facing up. Hold the fruit, then push a chopstick straight down until the pit comes out from the other end. This is the least messy and fastest method, besides using a cherry pitter.
About 5 to 7 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To freeze, place in a single layer in a resealable bag for up to 6 months.
Life hack: Top 5 ways to pit cherries
FAQ
Can your stomach dissolve cherry pits?
What is the utensil to remove cherry pits?
How to remove cherries pits?
To remove cherries pits I used a knife and spoon in this method, these garnish tools every kitchen has for sure. It works well if we want to use halves of cherries for garnish. The cherry halves are so presentable and a great look on any dessert! Downside: Time-consuming method to pit cherries. Cut in half cherry with a paring knife.
How do you pit cherries fast?
How to pit cherries fast with a chopstick and bottle. Old fashion DIY cherry pitter made out of the fork. Cherry pitter removal made from wire paper clip. Pit cherries with a small funnel. Use a metal pastry tip to pit cherries. (The best pastry tip to use my suggestion) Cherry pitter from tweezers.
How do you remove a cherry pitter?
Cherry pitter removal made from wire paper clip. Pit cherries with a small funnel. Use a metal pastry tip to pit cherries. (The best pastry tip to use my suggestion) Cherry pitter from tweezers. Smashing cherries with a knife in a plastic bag method. (All mess in the bag!) Remove the cherry pit with a knife and spoon. Zyliss cherry pitter.
How do you pit a cherry?
The cherry halves are so presentable and a great look on any dessert! Downside: Time-consuming method to pit cherries. Cut in half cherry with a paring knife. Twist the cherry and one half comes out easily without the pit. 2. Use a small spoon or other tools I mention above to remove the pit out of another cherry half.