How to Peel a Peach

Has a recipe ever asked you for peeled peaches? And you didn’t think twice about it until you were standing the kitchen, peach in hand, thinking “well crap!?

Learn how to peel a peach in just a minute! Super easy without cooking the peach. Perfect for sauces, salads, pies, cobblers and salsas! #howtopeelapeach #peelingpeaches www.savoryexperiments.com


 

Learn how to peel a peach in just a minute! It is super easy without cooking the peach. Perfect technique for sauces, salads, pies, cobblers, and salsas!

I’m here to help, my friend. Peeling peaches is not as hard as it may seem. It is actually pretty easy, but it does take a little longer than taking out a Y peeler for a carrot or zucchini. Can’t win them all and well worth a touch of extra effort.

Make sure to PIN How to Peel a Peach!

If you have ever peeled a tomato, it is basically the same process as that. Four easy steps: cut an “X” into the bottom, drop into a quick hot water bath, plunge into an ice bath, and then peel with ease.

Learn how to peel a peach in just a minute! Super easy without cooking the peach. Perfect for sauces, salads, pies, cobblers and salsas! #howtopeelapeach #peelingpeaches www.savoryexperiments.com

In all honesty, boiling the water takes the most amount of time. You’ll be a peach peelin’ pro in no time at all! Here the easy, step-by-step instructions on how to peel a peach in a little more depth.

Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water, bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

Learn how to peel a peach in just a minute! Super easy without cooking the peach. Perfect for sauces, salads, pies, cobblers and salsas! #howtopeelapeach #peelingpeaches www.savoryexperiments.com

While you are waiting for that to do its thing, fill a medium mixing bowl with cold, cold water and some ice cubes.

Using a sharp paring knife, score an “X” at the bottom of each peach. These cuts should not go very deep.

Learn how to peel a peach in just a minute! Super easy without cooking the peach. Perfect for sauces, salads, pies, cobblers and salsas! #howtopeelapeach #peelingpeaches www.savoryexperiments.com

When the water comes to a boil, drop 1-2 peaches into the saucepan. Putting more than 1 to 2 peaches in the water at a time will crowd them – not good – and will bring the temperature of the water down. Also, not good. Boil for 30-45 seconds.

A bit of background, the “X” you cut into the peach will serve as tabs later to help with the peeling process. The quick trip into the hot water will help to loosen the skin from the meat of the peach without cooking it.

Using tongs, remove the peaches and plunge into ice water. Allow them to sit for 1 minute before removing to a plate. Repeat this process for as many peaches as the recipe calls for.

Learn how to peel a peach in just a minute! Super easy without cooking the peach. Perfect for sauces, salads, pies, cobblers and salsas! #howtopeelapeach #peelingpeaches www.savoryexperiments.com

Use your fingers or carefully use the edge of a paring knife to gently lift the skin away. It should come away easily. If not, plunge the peach back into the boiling water for 20 more seconds and repeat the ice bath.

Peaches will not be cooked, but kind of slimy. Easy to just pull the skin off.

Use peeled peaches in peach salsa, savory recipes that call for peaches like Peaches and Cream Sponge Cake, peach cobbler, Sparkling Peach Sangria or my Southern Peach Pie!

overhead shot of peach pie with slice taken out

You can even hop over to our instructions on how to peel a tomato, where there is an easy to follow video shows the whole process! happy peach peeling!

Tools for peeling peaches:

Small Saucepan – Small saucepans are great for sauces, reheating and peeling just a couple of peaches!

Paring Knife – Every kitchen needs a good paring knife. You don’t think you need one… until ya do!

Learn how to peel a peach in just a minute! Super easy without cooking the peach. Perfect for sauces, salads, pies, cobblers and salsas! #howtopeelapeach #peelingpeaches www.savoryexperiments.com
Blue bowl full of peaches

How to Peel a Peach

5 from 8 votes
Learn how to peel a peach in just a minute! Super easy without cooking the peach. Perfect for sauces, salads, pies, cobblers and salsas!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 6

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water, bring to a boil.
  • While waiting for the water to boil, fill a medium mixing bowl with cold water and few ice cubes.
  • Using a sharp paring knife, score an “X” in the bottom of each peach.
  • When the water comes to a boil, drop 1-2 peaches into the saucepan. Before careful to not crowd the pot. Boil for 30-45 seconds.
  • Using tongs, remove and plunge into ice water. Allow to sit for 1 minutes before removing to a plate.
  • Skin should easily peel off the peach. If not, plunge back into the boiling water for 20 more seconds.
  • Peaches will not be cooked, but kind of slimy. Easy to just pull the skin off.
  • If you’ve tried out method, come back and let us know how it worked out for you! 

Nutrition

Calories: 58 kcal, Carbohydrates: 14 g, Protein: 1 g, Potassium: 285 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 12 g, Vitamin A: 490 IU, Vitamin C: 9.9 mg, Calcium: 9 mg, Iron: 0.4 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 58
Course: Technique
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to peel a peach, how to peel peaches
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

5 from 8 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    I had no idea boiling was the trick to peeling a peach so effortlessly! Thanks for the detailed tips and technique! xoxo