How to Peel Peaches
Updated: Mar. 06, 2024
It's easy once you know the trick! Here's how to peel peaches quickly (and neatly).
Here’s an easy way to peel peaches: blanch in boiling water and then shock in ice water. This method works best for ripe peaches, which have an intense fragrance and give slightly to palm pressure.
How to Peel Peaches
Step 1: Soak
Place peaches in a large pot of boiling water for 10-20 seconds or until the skin splits.
Step 2: Cool
Remove with a slotted spoon. Immediately place in an ice water bath to cool the peaches and stop the cooking process.
Step 3: Peel
Use a paring knife to peel the skin, which should easily peel off. If stubborn areas of skin won’t peel off, just return fruit to the boiling water for a few more seconds.
Does This Method Work for Other Stone Fruit?
Yes, this same method of blanching in boiling water and shocking in ice water will work to peel other stone fruits like nectarines, plums and apricots.
How to Pit Peaches
Step 1: Cut
Cut the peach in half, cutting around the pit and using the indentation as a guide.
Step 2: Twist
Twist halves in opposite directions to separate. Using a sharp knife, loosen and remove pit. Treat cut surfaces with lemon juice to avoid discoloration.
How Do I Know When a Peach Is Ripe?
Look for peaches that have the classic reddish-yellow hue and no green on the skin. It should have a peachy scent as well. A fresh peach should give just a little when you squeeze it. Avoid peaches with mushy spots or wrinkled skin, both signs that indicate they’re overripe. And don’t make the mistake of bringing home rock-hard peaches—unlike other fruits, they won’t ripen further after picking.
Editor’s Tip: Peach season is short—but if you know how to store peaches, you’ll have juicy, fresh-tasting fruit all year round.
Can You Eat Peach Skin?
Yes! Peach skin is perfectly safe to eat. Good thing because eating juicy, fresh peaches out of hand is a true pleasure. As with many fruits and vegetables, there are concerns that trace amounts of pesticides could be present on the skin of peaches. Always wash peaches well before eating them.
Can You Leave the Skin on Peaches for Cobbler?
Yes! Since the skins on the sliced peaches will soften during baking, they’ll be very tender in the final dish. But if you’d rather not have them in your cobbler or other peach recipes, it’s perfectly OK to peel the peaches first.
You can also leave the skin on for many savory peach recipes.
The Best Ways to Enjoy Fresh Peaches
Peach-Chipotle Baby Back RibsMy son and I collaborated in the kitchen one day to put our own unique twist on classic baby back ribs. We added a sweet peachy glaze and a little heat with chipotle peppers. It was a great bonding experience, and now we have a keeper recipe for fall-off-the-bone ribs. —Rebecca Suaso, Weaverville, North Carolina
Baked Peach PancakeThis dish makes for a dramatic presentation. I usually take it right from the oven to the table, fill it with peaches and sour cream and serve it with bacon or ham. Whenever I go home, my mom (the best cook I know) asks me to make this. —Nancy Wilkinson, Princeton, New Jersey
Georgia Peach Ice CreamMy state is well known for growing amazing peaches. This ice cream has been a family favorite for more than 50 years! —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia
Grilled Peaches 'n' BerriesWith only five ingredients, this delightful dessert is so easy to prepare. Just halve peaches and sprinkle with fresh blueberries and a brown sugar mixture. Because they're grilled in foil, there are no messy dishes to wash. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Peach & Vidalia BurgersTake one all-American patty and load it up Georgia-style with mayo, fresh sliced peaches and sauteed Vidalia onions.
Grilled Peach & Pineapple SangriaGrill up fresh peaches and pineapple slathered in cinnamon butter and use them to make a refreshing summer sangria. I also like to add slices of grilled lemon and lime to drop in the glass for a citrusy boost of flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Slow-Cooked Peach SalsaFresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a winner over store-bought versions. As a treat, I give my coworkers several jars throughout the year. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio
Peaches 'n' Cream Waffle DippersI've prepared these for many brunches—peaches are my favorite fruit to add, but you can use strawberries or blueberries. People of all ages enjoy dunking crispy waffle strips into creamy dip. —Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Chandler, Arizona
Pork with Peach Picante SauceWhen fresh peaches are in season, I cook these pork ribs for family and friends. I love the recipe because I only need six ingredients, the slow cooker does the work for me and the ribs turn out tender and tasty. —Connie Jenista, Valrico, Florida
Strawberry Peach JamYou'll definitely capture the flavors of summer with this chunky, luscious toast-topper. Best of all, this jam freezes well for up to a year, and it makes a great housewarming or hostess gift idea. —Gwen Frankhouser, El Cajon, California.
Three-Fruit MarmaladeI make all my own jams, and this marmalade is a favorite. It marries the warm flavors of peaches and pears with citrus. —Lorraine Wright, Grand Forks, British Columbia
Cucumber Fruit SalsaOur garden always gives us way more cucumbers and tomatoes than we know what to do with. But we’ve learned how to handle the unexpected with a surprise of our own. This is our pretty, fresh way to use up the bounty. —Anna Davis, Springfield, Missouri
Peach Melba TrifleThis dream of a dessert tastes extra good on a busy day, because you can make it ahead of time! If you don't have fresh peaches handy, subbing three cups of the canned ones works, too. —Christina Moore, Casar, North Carolina
Fruit 'n' Cake KabobsA neighbor served these kabobs at a family picnic and brought some over for us to sample. I was pleasantly surprised at the tasty toasted cake and juicy grilled fruit. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Spiced Peach CobblerWhen you tuck into this warm and comforting fresh peach cobbler, you won’t miss the extra fat and calories a bit! —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York
Summer Harvest TartOne of my favorite bakeries makes this scrumptious tart that uses fall and summer fruit, so I created my own version. I like to serve it warm with whipped cream or ice cream and with a cup of coffee on a cool autumn night. —Sarah Knoblock, Hyde Park, Indiana
Grilled Honey-Balsamic Glazed FruitOne summer my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with a sweet and tangy sauce. These are so good I'm always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington
Buttermilk Peach Ice CreamMy mother's family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I currently live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee
Chunky Peach SpreadHere's a fruit spread that captures the best tastes of late summer. I like that it's low in sugar and not overly sweet, which lets the fresh peach flavor shine right through. — Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Peachy Spiced CiderWelcome guests with the inviting aroma of this warm beverage. I served this spiced cider at a cookie exchange and received so many compliments. Everyone enjoyed the subtle peach flavor. —Rose Harman, Hays, Kansas
Spinach & Bacon Salad with PeachesPeaches and bacon? Oh, yeah. I made this family favorite for a big summer party. It was so easy to prep the parts separately, then toss it all together right before chow time. —Megan Riofski, Frankfort, Illinois
Peach Praline Upside-Down CakeThis cake is filled with fresh peaches, roasted Saigon cinnamon, roasted ground ginger and toasted pecans – and that makes it different. — Jeanette Nelson, Sophia, West Virginia
Barbecued Shrimp & Peach KabobsShrimp grilled with peaches and green onions really sets off fireworks! The spicy seasonings even helped me win a ribbon at a county fair. —Jen Smallwood, Portsmouth, Virginia
Grilled Peaches & Pound CakeBrush up on grilling dessert with fresh peaches and pound cake! Store-bought cake makes it quick to prepare, and the caramelized flavor will make it disappear fast. —Joy Pendley, Ortonville, Michigan
Fresh Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon ChipsLime and basil really brighten the flavors in this colorful salsa. It's best when scooped up on a homemade cinnamon chip. —Navalee Hylton, Lauderhill, Florida
Chunky Cherry & Peach PreservesOut of all the jams I make, this is my grandmother’s favorite. She anxiously waits for late June to come because she knows I’ll put up as many batches as I can while peaches and cherries are at their peak. —Amy Seiger, McLoud, Oklahoma
Grilled Fruit Phyllo TartThis tart was a hit at my friend's baby shower. It reminds me of a fruit salad that my mother used to make with cream cheese and whipped topping. Everyone loved the flaky crust, and the bright colors make it a pretty addition to any spread. —Laura McAllister, Morganton, North Carolina
Peaches & Cream Jelly RollCake rolls make a lovely presentation for a party, and they are simple to cut into even slices. My father taught me how to make them, and sometimes we get together and make them for family and friends. —Malena Coleman, Rockville, Indiana
Peach BavarianFruit molds are my specialty. This one, with its refreshing peach taste, makes a colorful salad or dessert. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey
Originally Published: January 13, 2011
