Pecan Season Guide

During a banner harvest, more than 80,000 acres of pecan trees in Texas crank out 50 million pounds of nuts — enough to bake millions of slices of pie. The pecan pulls triple duty as our official state tree, state nut, and the heart of our gooey state pie. In short, Texas is proudly and certifiably nuts about pecans.

The History of Texas Pecans (in a Nutshell)

The ”Pecan Belt” stretches from Mexico to Illinois, but the trees hit their stride in West Texas and the Panhandle, where the strong sun and river-fed soils give them the nutrients they need. Archaeologists have unearthed pecan seed and leaf fossils near the Rio Grande, dating back to approximately 6100 B.C. Legend says that members of the Apache and Comanche tribes planted many of the giants, some of which predate the Alamo, that still shade our riverbanks.

What began as trail food is now baked into everyday Texas life. Wild trees still hug creeks and streams, while multi-generation family orchards keep prized varieties, such as desirable, Pawnee, and Choctaw, in season come fall. Crack one open and you’re tasting a piece of Lone Star State history.

Pick-Your-Own Orchards

Bring home a bushel and get baking.

The Great San Saba River Pecan Company, San Saba
On U.S. Highway 190, half a mile west of San Saba, The Great San Saba River Pecan Company is a popular spot for pecan lovers looking for a pleasant place to pick, peruse, and picnic. From November to January, they lend you old-fashioned cane poles for thrashing pecans out of the trees. After you’re finished, stay a while with a picnic lunch and enjoy a complimentary cup of pecan coffee, along with free preserve samples from the country store.

Sunnyvale Pecan Orchard, Sunnyvale
This small, 8-acre orchard features nearly 50-year-old pecan trees. Pick-your-own appointments are reservation only, so you’ll need to call ahead. The orchard’s season usually runs from November to early December. The owners shake the trees, so all you have to do is grab a bucket and collect the fallen pecans.

Alford Family Farm, Emory
This shady orchard is home to more than 370 trees of four different varieties: desirable, Choctaw, Pawnee, and native. Harvesting typically begins as early as October, depending on the weather conditions. Can’t make it to the farm? They’re regulars at Denton’s farmers market, where you can find a bounty of good fruits and veggies grown without chemicals and pesticides.

Get Cracking

Dry, sort, and shell like a pro.

Dry

As soon as they fall from the tree, pecans should be harvested and dried to remove excess moisture. Any water left in the pecan will accelerate its oil development, leading to rancidity. To dry, simply spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet in a warm, dry spot with good ventilation for about two weeks. Check them every few days for doneness. A fully dry kernel no longer feels rubbery and snaps when broken.

Sort

Dispose of any pecans that have cracks or holes, that feel considerably lighter than the others, or that rattle when you shake them. These nuts have likely gone bad.

Boil (Optional)

Some people claim boiling the pecans helps loosen the shells prior to cracking. To do so, boil the pecans in a large pot on the stove for 10–15 minutes. Drain and cool before cracking.

Crack

There are many types of nutcrackers on the market, from basic, squeeze-style crackers to vice-grip apparatuses that look more like they belong in a woodshop than your kitchen. Assuming you’re a casual pecan eater seeking a common nutcracker, the best squeeze-style tools feature a serrated funnel and nonslip handles. Simply squeeze until you hear a crack. Gently rotate the nut and squeeze again until the shell is loose enough to remove.

How to Roast Pecans at Home

Raw pecans are edible, but roasting them on the stovetop deepens their nutty taste and gives them a delightful crunch. Toss them into salads, muffins, oatmeal, waffles, and more.

Ingredients

• Fresh pecans
• Olive oil or melted butter (optional)
• Salt (optional)

Method

Step 1

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Toss pecans in oil or melted butter and salt, if desired.

Step 3

Cook for 2–5 minutes, stirring often, as they can burn quickly.

Tips for Keeping Pecans Fresh

Why do pecans straight from the farm taste better than those at the supermarket? Time. Locally grown pecans haven’t sat on trucks or a warehouse floor for long, if ever. And the best way to retain that farm-fresh taste is with proper storage at home.

Here’s the typical shelf life of a pecan:

Shelled

• Pantry: 3 months
• Fridge: 1 year
• Freezer: 2 years

In-Shell

• Pantry: 6 months
• Fridge: 1 year, 6 months
• Freezer: 3–8 years (depending on temperature)

Must-See Roadside Pecan Attractions

Pecan Pie Vending Machine, Cedar Creek
It’s 3 a.m., and you wake in a sweat, desperately craving pecan pie. No problem! There’s a vending machine of fresh pecan pies available 24/7 outside the Berdoll Pecan Candy & Gift Company, guarded by Ms. Pearl, the giant pecan-eating squirrel statue. (Yes, seriously.)

Texas Pie Company, Kyle
A few short years ago, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott officially decreed Kyle as the “Pie Capital of Texas.” And the best place to get a warm, gooey slice of Southern pecan pie is Kyle’s Texas Pie Company. Chef Julie Albertson has been baking pies since 1986 using family recipes. Trust us; this is comfort food that’s worth the road trip.

The World’s Largest Pecan, Seguin
In 1962, Seguin erected the World’s Largest Pecan in front of the downtown courthouse. When an even larger pecan was built in Missouri in the 1980s, Seguin’s Chamber of Commerce said, “Hold my sweet tea!” and reclaimed the title of the World’s Largest Pecan with the construction of a 16-by-8-foot fiberglass pecan now parked at the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center.

Millican Pecan, San Saba
With a rich history dating back to 1888, Millican Pecan sells flavored pecans, pies, and pralines made from the nuts of its 1,000-acre orchard. Schedule a tour to see how one of the most iconic orchards in the “Pecan Capital of the World” operates.

Get inspired with these Texas pecan recipes that taste just like grandma made it.