Summer brings some of the most rewarding fruit of the season, and plums are a perfect example of why this time of year is worth celebrating. With their jewel-toned skins, juicy flesh, and balance of sweetness and acidity, plums bring a bright burst of flavor to both simple and more creative recipes.

Available in shades ranging from deep purple and ruby red to golden yellow and green, plums vary widely in flavor and texture. Some varieties are intensely sweet and soft, while others have a pleasantly tart edge that makes them especially appealing in cooked dishes. That versatility is what makes plums such an exciting ingredient to work with.

While plums are delicious eaten fresh out of hand, cooking transforms them into something even more special. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, grilling adds subtle smoky notes, and simmering concentrates their flavor into rich sauces, chutneys, and preserves. They also pair beautifully with creamy cheeses, warm spices, nuts, and buttery baked goods.

Here’s how to choose, store, and prepare plums, along with five recipes that showcase this late-summer favorite.

Buying & Storing Cheat Sheet

DOs	DON’Ts
Choose plums that feel heavy for their size and have smooth, unblemished skin	Don’t choose plums with wrinkled skin, bruises, or soft spots
Look for fruit that gives slightly when gently pressed	Don’t buy plums that are completely hard unless you plan to ripen them at home
Select plums with rich, vibrant color appropriate for the variety	Don’t rely only on skin color to determine ripeness—some varieties remain firm even when ripe
Store unripe plums at room temperature until they soften	Don’t refrigerate underripe plums, as it can slow the ripening process
Refrigerate ripe plums to extend freshness	Don’t wash plums until just before eating or cooking
Freeze sliced, pitted plums for smoothies, baking, and sauces	Don’t freeze whole plums with pits still inside

General Uses for Plums

Plums are one of the most versatile fruits of late summer, equally suited for sweet and savory applications. Their natural balance of sweetness and acidity allows them to complement rich ingredients like mascarpone and burrata while also adding brightness to salads, sauces, and roasted dishes.

Fresh plums are wonderful sliced over yogurt, oatmeal, or fruit salads, but their flavor becomes even more concentrated when cooked. Roasting and grilling soften the fruit while bringing out deeper caramelized notes, making them ideal for desserts and elegant appetizers.

Plums also work beautifully in preserves, chutneys, and baked goods. Their naturally juicy texture creates flavorful fillings for crisps, cakes, and bars, while their slight tartness keeps desserts from becoming overly sweet.

Plums pair especially well with:

• Creamy cheeses like burrata, mascarpone, ricotta, and goat cheese
• Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts
• Ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, and warm spices
• Honey, citrus, and balsamic vinegar
• Fresh herbs like basil, mint, and thyme

How to Prepare Plums

Preparing plums is simple. Wash the fruit thoroughly and dry before cutting. Slice around the natural seam of the plum and gently twist the halves apart. Remove the pit with a knife or spoon before slicing or chopping.

The skin is thin, tender, and completely edible, so there is no need to peel plums before eating or cooking. In fact, the skin adds beautiful color and a subtle tartness that balances the sweetness of the fruit.

For baked or cooked recipes, choose plums that are ripe but still slightly firm. Very soft plums can release too much liquid and may become difficult to work with.

Recipes Featuring Plums

Plum & Burrata Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing

Makes 4 servings

This elegant summer salad highlights the contrast between juicy plums and creamy burrata. A bright honey-lemon dressing brings everything together, creating a dish that works equally well as a light lunch, appetizer, or side dish for entertaining.

Ingredients

• 4 ripe plums, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces burrata cheese
• 5 ounces mixed greens or arugula
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup toasted almonds, roughly chopped

For the dressing:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Arrange greens on a serving platter.
2. Add sliced plums and tear burrata over the top.
3. Scatter basil leaves and toasted almonds over the salad.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
5. Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving.

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Roasted Plum & Vanilla Bean Crisp

Makes 8 servings

Roasting intensifies the flavor of plums, creating a rich and jammy filling beneath a buttery oat topping. This simple dessert captures the best of late summer and is especially delicious served warm with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

For the filling:

• 8 cups plums, pitted and sliced
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped (or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract)
• Pinch of salt

For the topping:

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Toss plums with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt.
3. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
4. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Cut in butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
6. Sprinkle topping evenly over the plums.
7. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until bubbling and golden.
8. Let cool slightly before serving.

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Plum Chutney with Ginger & Warm Spices

Makes about 3 cups

This sweet-savory chutney transforms ripe plums into a flavorful condiment with layers of ginger, spice, and acidity. It pairs beautifully with roasted meats, cheese boards, sandwiches, and grilled foods.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds plums, pitted and chopped
• 1½ cups brown sugar
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup raisins

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.
2. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
3. Cook for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and jam-like.
4. Remove from heat and cool completely.
5. Store in airtight jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

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Plum & Almond Butter Bars

Makes 6 bars

These bars combine a buttery shortbread crust, creamy almond filling, and juicy plum topping for a dessert that feels both rustic and refined. The almond flavor pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the plums.

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup almond flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

For the filling:

• ¾ cup almond butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For the topping:

• 3 cups thinly sliced plums
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, almond flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Mix in butter until a crumbly dough forms.
4. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 15 minutes.
6. Beat together almond butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and flour.
7. Spread filling over the crust.
8. Arrange plum slices over the top and sprinkle with almonds.
9. Bake for 35–40 minutes until set.
10. Cool completely before slicing into bars.

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Grilled Plums with Mascarpone Cream

Makes 4 servings

Grilling brings out the natural sweetness of plums while adding a subtle smoky flavor. Served with lightly sweetened mascarpone cream, this simple dessert feels elegant without requiring much preparation.

Ingredients

• 8 ripe but firm plums, halved and pitted
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chopped pistachios, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush cut sides of plums with olive oil or butter.
3. Grill plums cut-side down for 3–4 minutes until lightly caramelized.
4. In a bowl, whip mascarpone, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Serve warm grilled plums with a spoonful of mascarpone cream.
6. Drizzle with honey and garnish with chopped pistachios.

Plums are one of the season’s most rewarding fruits because they can move effortlessly between fresh and cooked preparations. Their natural sweetness makes them perfect for desserts, while their acidity allows them to shine alongside creamy cheeses, savory dishes, and bold spices.

As late summer reaches its peak, take advantage of the brief window when plums are at their best. Whether you’re roasting them into a crisp, turning them into a flavorful chutney, or simply enjoying them fresh, plums bring a beautiful balance of sweetness, brightness, and seasonal character to the table.