Learn how to freeze strawberries so that you can enjoy this wonderfully delicious fruit any time of the year. Whether you want them whole, sliced, or pureed, freezing these berries is about as easy as it could be! Once your freezer is filled, you'll be able to whip up some strawberry drinks and treats whenever you like.
When you are ready to thaw out your strawberries, make sure you check out my collection of strawberry desserts for some delicious recipes!
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I feel like freezing fruit is one of the most underrated kitchen hacks that everyone should know about! So many types of fruit freeze amazingly well so that you can have them available whenever you like (and won't have to wait for the fruit to be in season).
I already have a guide to freezing bananas, and today I'm going to share how to freeze strawberries with you! Soon, you'll have a freezer chock full of tasty fruit for whenever you need it!
How Long Do Fresh Strawberries Last
The longevity of strawberries can vary based on where they were purchased (or where you picked them). Of course, strawberries that you picked yourself will have a longer shelf-life than those that were bought at a grocery store.
In general, you can expect fresh strawberries to stay fresh for anywhere between 5-7 days. Keeping them in the freezer is a great way to extend this timeframe by a lot (they'll last for up to a year)!
What Do You Need To Freeze Strawberries
Before getting started, you'll want to have a few items on hand to properly clean and store your berries.
- Colander
- Paring Knife (or a strawberry huller)
- Zip-top Storage Bags
- Paper Towels
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Permanent Marker
How To Freeze Strawberries
Freezing strawberries is incredibly simple and will only take a few minutes of preparation. Let's get started!
Step 1. Wash & Dry
Place your fresh strawberries into a colander in the sink and rinse them under cold water. Toss out any berries that are already mushy, as they won't freeze well.
Spread the rinsed berries out onto a towel and gently pat them dry using a paper towel. For best results, let them air dry for another 30-60 minutes.
Step 2. Hull The Strawberries
Once your strawberries are completely dry, use either a paring knife or a strawberry huller to cut out the green tops and the white center. Simply insert the knife into the strawberry next to the stem and cut in a circular motion. Pop out the hull and discard them.
At this point, you can choose whether you want to leave your strawberries whole, slice them, or puree them.
Step 3. Get Ready To Freeze
After your strawberries have been hulled (and are sliced if desired), spread them out onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or wax paper. You'll want to arrange them so that they are not touching, as this will cause them to stick together once frozen.
Step 4. Flash Freeze
Pop the baking sheet into the freezer and freeze until the berries are solid (a couple of hours). This step is important to keep your berries from freezing into giant blocks that are hard to break apart.
Step 5. Freeze
After your strawberries are individually frozen, you can transfer them into zip-top freezer-safe bags. You can make the portions as large or as small as you like.
Squeeze out any excess air and then use a permanent marker to write the date on them. Place them back into the freezer and store them until you are ready to use them!
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Freezing Sliced vs Whole Strawberries
The process of freezing whole and sliced strawberries is exactly the same (just remember to slice them after hulling them!) Whether you should freeze them whole or in slices really depends on how you intend to use them!
If you're going to thaw them out for snacks later, you can go ahead and leave them whole. The same goes for if you are using them to decorate a pie or cake, as they will look the best this way.
However, if the shape does not matter (such as in a smoothie or a dish where the strawberries are sliced), go ahead and slice them before freezing. Frozen strawberries are very hard to cut, so you are better off having it already done.
How To Freeze Strawberry Puree
Another option for freezing strawberries is by pureeing them first. After washing and hulling the berries, simply place them into a blender or food processor to puree them. You can add some sugar if desired, but it isn't necessary.
Pour the puree into portioned bags or containers, making sure to leave some excess space for expansion. Then, just pop them into the freezer!
Ways To Use Frozen Strawberries
Frozen strawberries can be enjoyed in a ton of different ways! They can be used in any of your favorite drink recipes, from milkshakes and smoothies to Sangria and strawberry lemonade. They also make a great sauce for ice cream, can be baked into pies or tarts, or used to make compote.
You can make an apple strawberry crisp, your favorite quick bread (try my lemon strawberry bread), or a tasty cobbler.
Tips For Freezing Strawberries
- Don't soak your berries, as this could cause them to become waterlogged and dilute their naturally sweet flavor. Instead, just rinse them under cold water.
- You'll want your strawberries to be as dry as possible before freezing them. Any excess water will freeze and can dilute the flavor.
- For best results, freeze your berries in a chest freezer or deep freezer. If using a regular freezer, avoid placing the berries in the door, as it will expose them to warmer temperatures.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, the texture of your strawberries will change after thawing. This is typical for a lot of different varieties of fruit. They won't be as firm as they were before being frozen. However, if you are using them in blended drinks or cooking them, you won't be able to tell a difference!
For some recipes, you can use your strawberries straight from frozen. However, if you need to thaw them first, you can just transfer the bag to the fridge and let them thaw out overnight.
When stored properly, your strawberries can be frozen for up to 1 year. However, for the best flavor and texture, I recommend using them within 6 months.
Now that you know how to freeze strawberries, you are ready to get started! What tasty treat will you make with them first? Share with me in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe Card
How To Freeze Strawberries
Ingredients
- 1 lb strawberries (fresh)
- water (for rinsing)
Instructions
- Place your 1 lb strawberries into a colander in the sink and rinse them under cold water. Lay them on a towel and pat them dry using a paper towel.
- Use a paring knife or strawberry huller to hull the strawberries. Slice them if desired, or leave them whole.
- Arrange your strawberries onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper so that they are not touching.
- Place the sheet into the freezer and freeze for 2-3 hours, or until the berries are solid.
- Transfer the strawberries into zip-top storage bags and return them to the freezer.
Notes
- Frozen strawberries can be stored for up to 1 year.
- Don't soak your berries as this could cause them to become waterlogged and dilute their naturally sweet flavor. Instead, just rinse them under cold water.
- You'll want your strawberries to be as dry as possible before freezing them. Any excess water will freeze and can dilute the flavor.
- For best results, freeze your berries in a chest freezer or deep freezer. If using a regular freezer, avoid placing the berries in the door as it will expose them to warmer temperatures.
Nutrition
Originally published July 7, 2023
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