How to Pit Cherries

Learn how to pit cherries the fastest and easiest way! These twelve hacks for removing cherry pits are super simple, and they use tools you already have laying around your home.

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I grew up near Door County, Wisconsin, a beautiful part of the state that's known for its cherries. My mom worked at a cherry orchard for her summer job when she was a teenager, and she took my sister and I cherry picking every year when we were kids. It's one of my core childhood memories!

It's probably no surprise then, that I love cherries! They make the perfect snack, and they're so delicious in seasonal recipes, too. If there's one downside to this tasty summer fruit, it's the pits (also known as stones).

Removing cherry pits can be tedious work, especially when your recipe calls for multiple cups of cherries. It doesn't have to be though, and today I'm going to show you how to pit cherries using twelve basic tools you can find in your kitchen. Keep reading for all my helpful tips!

How to Pit Cherries

Whether you're using a cherry pitter or another tool, follow these basic steps when removing cherry pits:

1. Prep your work station. Because their juice can stain clothing and porous surfaces (like wood cutting boards), pitting cherries can be messy. To minimize this, change into dark clothing and wear an apron (this is my favorite apron). You'll also need two bowls: one for stones, and one for pitted cherries. I like to work right in my kitchen sink, which makes cleanup a snap. If that's not possible, clear a space on your counter and move anything that might get stained.
2. Wash the cherries. You need to wash the cherries before de-pitting them to remove germs and pesticides. Wash your hands first, then place the cherries in a colander and rinse them with cool running water for about a minute. For a more thorough clean, add the cherries to a large bowl, then cover with cold water. Add a cup of vinegar or a couple tablespoons of baking soda, then stir well. Let the cherries soak for 15 minutes, then transfer them to a colander and rinse well with cold water. Pat the cherries dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. Remove the stems. Next, you need to remove the stems. You should be able to pluck them off (using your fingers) quite easily.
4. Pit the cherries. Use one of the methods below to remove the stones. Put the pitted fruit in one bowl and the seeds in your other bowl. Tip: To avoid stained fingers, wear a pair of disposable gloves.

Now that you know the basic process, keep reading to learn about five basic tools you can use to remove the pits.

1. Knife

You can, of course, use a kitchen knife! There are two different ways to remove cherry stones with a knife:

1. Cut around the stone. Holding your knife in one hand and a cherry in the other, cut a complete circle around the cherry, starting and ending at the stem end. Twist the two halves apart, then remove the seed. Paring knives work especially great for this. Tip: Use this method when you want to equal halves.
2. Press to loosen the pit. Using a larger knife (like a chef's knife), press the flat side of the blade firmly against the cherry, gently smooshing it and loosening the pit. Then, pluck the pit out with your fingers or with the knife. Tip: Use this method when you plan to chop the cherries, or if you don't care how they look.

Pros + Cons: Mosts kitchens have sharp knife, and they work really well for removing cherry pits! On the other hands, a knife can be slow and a little messy to use, fine for a few cherries, but not the best when you need multiple cups. It's also not the best tool when you need whole, relatively intact cherries.

2. Straw

To use a straw, center it over the cherry's stem end (or its bottom end), then press the straw through the cherry. As the straw exits the cherry, it will push out the pit. Some people like to place the cherry over bottle before inserting the straw (so the bottle can catch the pits and the juice), but that's not necessary.

Tip: Use a sturdy, reusable straw for the best results. These plastic straws are similar to one I used, but a stainless steel straw would also work great.

Pros + Cons: Straws work great for removing pits, and they're also really quick to use (good for large amounts). On the other hand, straws tend to be pretty messy. If you look at the photo below, you can see all the juice that was released from just a few cherries!

3. Piping Tip

Piping tips, which are normally used for decorating cakes and pastries, are another options. Set the piping tip on your work surface, then place the cherry on tip (with the stem end touching the tip). Firmly press down on the cherry until the stone comes out the other end.

Tip: Choose a piping tip with an opening that's about the size of a cherry pit. If it's too large, you'll end up removing a lot of fruit along with the stone. If it's too small, it won't push out the pit.

Pros + Cons: Piping tips work well for removing pits, and they don't make too much of a mess. They're not the fastest tool though, and as the cherry gets pressed toward the larger end of the tip, the fruit tends to split a bit.

4. Chopstick

To use a chopstick, center it over the stem end, then carefully press it straight through the cherry, pushing out the pit. As with the straw method, you can place the cherries over an empty bottle to catch the stones and juice, although it's not required.

Pros + Cons: Chopsticks aren't my favorite tool for removing pits, because they're awkward, slow, and messy to use, and the cherries often split a bit. If your options are limited though, they will work!

5. Cherry Pitter Tool

There's no getting around it, using a cherry pitter is the fastest and easiest way to remove cherry pits! To use a pitter, place the cherry in the cup side (stem side up), then squeeze the pitter until the stone pops out.

Tip: This is the cherry pitter that I own, and I love it. It's sturdy, no frills, and works perfectly every time. You can also buy multi-cherry pitters, like this OXO pitter which gets great reviews!

Pros + Cons: Cherry pitters are inexpensive, plus they're fast and easy to use, perfect for those times you need to pit lots of cherries. They also leave the fruit mostly intact, apart from a small hole on either end. On the con side, pitters are a mostly single use tool (although you can use them for olives, too). And if you rarely eat cherries, it may not be worth buying one.

More Ways to Remove Cherry Pits

Don't have any of these tools? You can make a homemade cherry pitter with other items laying around your house, too! Here are a few ideas to try:

• Paper Clip - To use a paper clip, first unfold the clip (it should have an s-shape when you're done). Then insert one of the curved ends into the cherry. Twist it around the pit to loosen it, then pull out the stone.
• Your Fingers - Simply use your fingers to pull the cherries apart and remove the stones. It's messy, but it works!
• Bobby Pin - This method works similarly to the paper clip. You'll insert the curved end of a bobby pin into the fruit, then twist it around to loosen the pit and remove it.
• Skewer - You can use a wood or metal kebab skewer similar to the chopstick hack I wrote about above (press it through the cherry and push out the stone). Because skewers tend to be narrower than chopsticks, this one may require a little practice!
• Tweezers - To use tweezers, insert them into the cherry, then grasp onto the pit. Twist to loosen the stone, then pluck it out.
• Mini Melon Baller - A standard melon baller is too large for the task. However, if you have mini melon baller, you can press it into the cherry's stem end, then scoop out the pit.
• Vegetable Peeler - Insert the pointy end of the peeler into the cherry, then twist it around to loosen the pit before popping it out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to Store Cherries

Fresh cherries should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for about a week (sometimes longer). They will last longer if you do not wash them before storing, and if you leave the stems on. Ideally, you should use pitted cherries right away (or freeze them), but you can store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator for a couple days.

To freeze cherries, place the washed, dried, and pitted cherries on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze the cherries, then transfer them to an airtight container or zip top bag.

Recipes Ideas

Wondering what to do with all those freshly pitted cherries? Here are some delicious recipe ideas you're sure to love:

• Make homemade Cherry Freezer Jam!
• Use them as an Overnight Oats topping.
• Add them to Baked Oatmeal for a tasty and nutritious breakfast!
• Bake these yummy Cherry Tartlets. Tip: You'll need to make cherry pie filling first.
• Make a batch of this Balsamic Cherry Sauce, then spoon it over ice cream, pancakes, or waffles!
• Treat yourself to this refreshing Cherry Smash Cocktail.
• Use them to make a crisp or crumble, following these tips in my Crumble Topping recipe.
• Stir them into these Coffee Cake Muffins for a mouthwatering morning treat!