Cherry Canning Recipes | Creative Canning

Sweet and sour cherry recipes for your canning shelf

Cherries are one of the most perishable fruits we grow—and when they’re ripe, it’s a race to use them before the birds or the heat get to them. My kids will spend hours under the tree, eating their fill straight from the branches, but even after that, there’s always more to preserve.

We grow sour cherries (also called pie cherries) here in Vermont, and they’ve got that intense, bright flavor most people associate with “cherry” anything—like popsicles, candy, or soda.

Sweet cherries, on the other hand, are deeper and richer, with a flavor that leans toward red wine. Both make incredible preserves, and when the trees are full, I start pulling out jars and putting up everything from pie filling to jam and juice.

Cherry Pie Filling

Cherry pie filling is one of the best ways to preserve a big haul of cherries. This tested recipe works with any type—sweet, sour, or somewhere in between—and the results are always rich, tangy, and packed with flavor.

• Canning Cherry Pie Filling – A shelf-stable dessert shortcut for crisps, cobblers, or just spooning over ice cream.

Cherry Jam & Jelly

Cherry jam is a pantry classic, but there are plenty of twists if you want to mix it up. Try pairing cherries with warm spices, citrus, or even floral notes for something a little different.

• Black Cherry Jam – Dark and sweet with intense cherry flavor.

• Sour Cherry Jam – Bright, tangy, and full of flavor—perfect for toast, yogurt, or homemade coffee cake.

• Cherry Jelly – Made from cherry juice, this one is clear, bright, and beautifully tart.

• Christmas Jam – A strawberry and cranberry blend with spices that also works beautifully with cherries subbed in place of strawberries.

Cherry Syrup & Juice

Juicing cherries is a great way to stretch the harvest—and the syrup is just as useful. Pour it over pancakes, mix into drinks, or use it to flavor kombucha and homemade sodas.

• Canning Berry Juice – Simple and refreshing, and it makes a fantastic base for jelly. The recipe is for berry juice (blueberry, etc) but you can use the same process with cherry juice.

• Cherry Limeade Concentrate – Tart, sweet, and perfect for summer sipping.

Canned Whole Cherries

If you want maximum flexibility, canning cherries whole in syrup gives you the most options. Use them for desserts, salads, savory dishes, or snacking straight from the jar.

• Canning Cherries – Preserve whole cherries in syrup, juice, or water. You can even make them boozy if you’re feeling festive.

Pickled Cherries

Pickled cherries are an unexpected but incredibly delicious way to preserve the harvest. Sweet, tangy, and spiced, they’re perfect on cheese boards, served with roast meats, or added to salads and grain bowls. If you’ve never tried them, they’re well worth a jar or two.

• Pickled Cherries – Sweet and savory with a hint of spice—perfect for snacking or serving with rich meals.

Cherries may be fleeting, but your preserves don’t have to be. With just a little prep, you can fill your shelves with jars that taste like summer—and make dessert or cocktails a whole lot easier later in the year.

If there’s a cherry recipe you’re looking for and don’t see listed here, or if you’re hoping to can something new this year, just leave me a note in the comments. I’m always happy to help you find a safe, tested canning recipe that fits what you’ve got on hand.

Happy Canning!
Ashley at Creative Canning