Published on August 13, 2025 • By Charles Piedboeuf • 7 minute read.

Why freeze mirabelles?

The mirabelle plum season is short, often concentrated in a few weeks around August. You've probably noticed that peak of golden sweetness on the stalls, then... nothing! Freezing mirabelles is the ideal anti-waste tip to prolong the pleasure and avoid seeing this juicy little fruit end up forgotten or overripe. But it's not just a matter of preservation: a handful of frozen mirabelles is the promise of pies, compotes, or smoothies in the middle of winter, without losing that typical sweet flavor. And, the icing on the cake, freezing them at home allows you to control the quality of the fruit: zero additives, zero added sugar, only goodness!

Steps to Perfect Freezing

Freezing mirabelle plums is easy, as long as you follow a few key steps to preserve their texture and flavor. Here's how:

1. Choose ripe but firm fruit. Choose mirabelle plums without any blemishes or bruises. A quick wash under cold water is enough to remove any dust or residue.
2. To pit or not? It depends on the use: for pies or snacks, it's better to remove the pit. For brandy or certain jams, you can leave them whole.
3. Preheat your freezer. A temperature of -18°C is ideal. If possible, activate the "super freeze" function for faster freezing.
4. Spreading on a baking sheet. Arrange the halves (or whole fruits) on a baking sheet lined with baking paper, without letting them touch each other. This step prevents lumps from forming and allows you to take the desired amount later.
5. Quick freeze. Place the tray in the freezer for 4 to 6 hours, until the plums are firm to the touch.
6. Airtight bag or container. Transfer the fruit into freezer bags (ideally zip-top) or tightly sealed containers, remembering to label them with the date. Remove as much air as possible to limit frost.

Tip: Frozen mirabelles can be stored for 6 to 12 months. After that, they will remain edible, but may lose some of their flavor or color.

What to do with frozen mirabelles?

This is where the magic happens! Frozen mirabelles can be used without thawing in many recipes. You can place the still-iced halves on a pie crust, blend them for a vitamin-packed smoothie, or gently stew them in a saucepan with a hint of sugar and a touch of vanilla. They also work well in crumbles, clafoutis, or even sauces to accompany duck breast or roast pork.

For fans of healthy cooking, add a few frozen mirabelles to the bowl of a smoothie blender with a banana and a dash of plant-based milk: instant sorbet effect guaranteed, perfect for summer snacks... or winter!

A little barbecue nod: dare to try iced mirabelle plums on a fruit skewer, to be grilled for a few seconds ( discover our barbecues ). A guaranteed hot-cold contrast and a hit with gourmets.

Tips and mistakes to avoid

To make freezing mirabelle plums a real pleasure, here are some tried and tested tips:

• Don't overload the bags. Too much fruit packed together = broken fruit and juice that solidifies.
• Think about portioning. Pack small bags for pies, compotes, or snacks; you'll save time when cooking.
• Never refreeze already thawed mirabelles. This will affect their texture and may alter their taste. Use them straight from the freezer.
• Dry freezing. Avoid sprinkling with sugar unless you want to make a ready-made pie filling.
• Recycle damaged fruit. Overripe mirabelles can be made into coulis or jam before being frozen, to avoid waste.

And for those who want to go further in preservation, you can try vacuum packaging: ideal for keeping the flavor intact and limiting frost.

Budget & equipment to plan

Freezing mirabelle plums doesn't require a big investment. You'll need:

• A high-performance freezer (cabinet, chest, or dedicated compartment). Recent models offer a "boost" function for rapid freezing.
• Zip-top bags or airtight containers. Choose BPA-free and reusable containers to limit your environmental impact.
• A paring knife for pitting, a board, and baking paper.

If you don't yet have a blender or frozen dessert maker, check out our smoothie blender picks or discover the best air fryers of 2025 for even more recipe variety.

Budget-wise, allow a few euros for bags or boxes, and nothing more... if you harvest them yourself, frozen mirabelle plums cost you a mini price!

FAQ on freezing mirabelle plums

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