What to Do with Overripe Cherries – 19 Tasty Side Dishes

Overripe cherries are delicious in a variety of ways. You can add them to your morning oatmeal or sprinkle some on top of your favorite ice cream. You can also freeze the cherries and use them as a topping for yogurt or granola. They can even be used in pies, cobblers, and even chocolate cake!

What to Do with Overripe Cherries

From pies and jams to salads and cookies, these 19 recipes will transform those overripe cherries into delicious side dishes.

See Also: 46 Best Recipes with Wonton Wrappers

Overripe cherries are often forgotten about because we just don’t know what to do with them. But there’s so much you can make with these sweet treats, it’s a shame to waste them.

I’ve got 19 delectable ways to use overripe cherries, from pies and jams to salads and cookies.

Let’s get started!

What to Do with Overripe Cherries – 19 Tasty Side Dishes

Overripe Cherry Recipes

Overripe cherries are a great ingredient to add to a crumble or pie. In addition, you can make a delicious jam from them. Simply boil the cherries in sugar and lemon juice for about 10 minutes, then let it cool down before you strain it to remove the seeds.

1. Make an easy cherry pie filling: There’s no need to throw away those beautiful, perfectly ripe cherries. Instead, simply pit them, remove their stems, and toss them into your favorite pie crust or cookie dough recipe. When the dough is ready, you can top the pie with this cherry filling and bake it to gooey, sweet perfection.

2. Make a quick cherry salsa: Toss together a few pints of your favorite cherries with onions, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno. Let it sit for a few minutes before using as a dip or topping for chicken. This cherry salsa keeps best in the fridge, so make a batch and freeze it for later use!

3. Use cherries for cocktails: Cherry season is upon us and that means it’s cocktail time! Slice up a pint or two of overripe cherries and add them to any cocktail that calls for cherries. The sweet, tart flavor pairs well with bourbon, gin, tequila, or even just some good old coconut vodka drinks.

4. Make some cherry cobbler: A few cherries on top of some biscuit dough make for the perfect cherry cobbler. It can be baked in the oven or served warm out of the oven as an alternative to pie.

5. Add a cherry to your egg: Take an overripe cherry and add it to an over-easy or over-medium egg. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on top and serve it up for breakfast or brunch.

6. Make cherry crisp: If you’re lucky enough to have a few overripe cherries lying around, make a quick cherry crisp. Throw them in a baking dish with butter and sugar, cover with pie dough, and bake for 20 minutes at 350° F until golden and bubbly.

7. Make a simple pie: You can also use the oven to create an easy pie. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Chop the overripe cherries into a bowl and stir in a bit of flour, a little sugar, and a little lemon juice. Pour this mixture into a glass pie pan and add a top crust. Bake for 15 minutes and then remove the top crust and bake for another 15 minutes or so until the filling is cooked through.

8. Make cherry ice cream: Freeze your cherries! Cherries are a wonderful ingredient in homemade ice cream, and you can add them directly to a can of vanilla ice cream base, or you can freeze your cherries and then add them to a bowl of ice cream as you’re making it. They’ll add some tartness and sweetness.

9. Turn cherries into a jammy sauce: You can turn your cherry filling into a jammy sauce by simmering the cherries with sugar, water, and a splash of lemon juice until the fruit breaks down and releases its juice. This is the perfect way to use up cherries that are not quite as firm as you’d like them to be, and it will keep in the fridge for weeks.

10. Make a kombucha soda: Grab your overripe cherries, strain them through a cheesecloth, and brew up your own kombucha at home. Once you have the bubbly beverage ready, blend in your kombucha with a little sugar and some lemon juice for a tasty cherry-flavored soda.

11. Make cherry-flavored ketchup: Grab your cherry pits and blend them into your tomato sauce for a splash of cherry flavor. You can then use it on your favorite meats, burgers, or other dishes.

12. Add to your yogurt: There’s no need to toss your overripe cherries in the trash. Use them to top your yogurt instead. Sprinkle some sugar on top and drizzle with honey for an even sweeter treat.

13. Cook them for a quick dessert: Grab some cherries from your backyard and cook them down into a thick syrup. Drizzle a spoonful over waffles, pancakes, or even ice cream!

14. Make cherry-walnut granola: This cherry-walnut granola is a crowd-pleaser and a breakfast treat for the whole family. It takes just five minutes to throw together and will be gone before you know it!

15. Make cherry juice: You can also make a simple cherry juice by using the leftover cherry juice from cooking cherries for pies or making ketchup. Simply pour off the juice and discard the pits. Add an equal amount of water and boil for a few minutes to make a tasty beverage.

16. Turn those cherries into a jammy sweet spread: Overripe cherries are the perfect candidate for making a sweet spread like this quick cherry jam. Start by making a simple syrup with sugar and water, then simmer the cherries in that mixture until they become jammy and thick.

17. Add them to a fruit salad: This is a great way to get more cherry flavor into your fruit salad while also using up extra fruit that would otherwise be discarded. Simply cut the overripe cherries in half and toss them with your favorite fruits and fresh herbs in a bowl. Serve immediately.

18. Make a cherry-chocolate sauce for ice cream: The acidity and sugar from overripe cherries pairs perfectly with the richness of chocolate. So you can make a quick cherry chocolate sauce for dessert and use it to top ice cream or your favorite sundaes.

19. Make a cherry-filled cookie: Cherry pie filling is amazing on cookies, so why not take that goodness one step further and fill it into the dough? You can bake it, roll it into balls, and freeze them for later.

FAQ

How do you know if cherries have gone bad?

The first sign that cherries are spoiled is when they smell. If you can detect a sour smell, it’s best to throw them out. The next thing to look for is mold. If the cherry has mold on it, you should definitely toss them out.

Cherries have a long shelf life, but you may notice that they start to smell off. This is a good sign that the cherries are no longer fresh.

Can you make jam out of overripe fruit?

Yes, you can make jam out of overripe fruit. There are two ways to make jam out of overripe fruit. The first way is to cut the fruit into small pieces and simmer it in sugar until the sugar has dissolved. The second way is to cut the fruit into large pieces and cook it in a pressure cooker for about 5 minutes. Then, let the fruit cool and then process it through a food mill or sieve to remove the seeds.

What can I do with lots of cherries?

Cherries are a wonderful ingredient for cooking. You can use them in pies, jams, preserves, sauces, and other sweet treats.

If you’re looking to get creative with your cherries, try these recipes:

  1. Cherry Pie
  2. Cherry Cocktails
  3. Cherry Cake
  4. Cherry Pecan Pie
  5. Cherry Bars

Do you have other fruits in your fridge that you might want to use up? How about some overripe pears?

What to Do with Overripe Cherries

What to Do with Overripe Cherries – 19 Tasty Side Dishes

If you’re having trouble deciding what to do with your overripe cherries, try one of the recipes below!
They’re all delicious and will help get the sticky fruit off your hands.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 340 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Make an easy cherry pie filling
  • Make a quick cherry salsa
  • Use cherries for cocktails
  • Make some cherry cobbler
  • Add a cherry to your egg
  • Make cherry crisp
  • Make a simple pie
  • Make cherry ice cream
  • Turn cherries into a jammy sauce
  • Make a kombucha soda
  • Make cherry-flavored ketchup
  • Add to your yogurt
  • Cook them for a quick dessert
  • Make cherry-walnut granola
  • Make cherry juice
  • Turn those cherries into a jammy sweet spread
  • Add them to a fruit salad
  • Make a cherry-chocolate sauce for ice cream
  • Make a cherry-filled cookie

Instructions
 

  • Pick any of these delicious recipes.
  • Follow the instructions.
  • Enjoy your meal in no time!
Keyword What to Do with Overripe Cherries
Benjamin Happy Muncher

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.

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