Wondering how to freeze strawberries when they are in season? Read my detailed post below and learn how to freeze these berries at home without getting mushy.
Use these frozen strawberries to make Strawberry Smoothie, Strawberry Cobbler, or Strawberry Sauce all year round.
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Freezing Strawberries
Strawberry is one of the most versatile fruits, and I miss it when it’s not in season. Well, not anymore.
I have figured out a few ways to preserve and use this fruit in any season.
I make Strawberry Coulis or Strawberry Sauce, freeze them in small containers and use them throughout the year.
My Instant Pot Strawberry Jam is also a great recipe to preserve strawberries.
But the best way to enjoy strawberries year-round is to freeze the fruit. In this post, I am sharing how to freeze strawberries in the freezer for up to a year.
In summer, when the strawberry season is at its peak, and you get the best and cheapest strawberries in the market, I always get a big batch and freeze them.
Freezing the strawberries is very easy; you can freeze them in multiple ways. You can freeze them whole, sliced, finely chopped, or crushed. You can also freeze them with or without sugar.
So waste no time and read the post!
Ingredients
You need one ingredient for this – Strawberries.
Just make sure to buy fully ripe, firm, and sweet strawberries to freeze. Opt for strawberries that are bright red and glossy. There should be no green or white streaks.
Do not opt for deep red strawberries; they might be overripe and will turn mushy once thawed.
The best time of the year to freeze strawberries is when they are in season: April to late June. They are also the cheapest in this time frame.
Try to get your hands on organically grown berries. The farmer’s market is a great place to buy organically grown strawberries.
How To Freeze Strawberries
Start by washing the strawberries. Washing the berries before freezing is highly recommended to remove any dirt in them.
Discard the berries that are soft and squishy.
Take a large bowl filled with water and add ½ cup of white vinegar to it. Soak the strawberries in this mixture for a minute. The dirt will settle down. Do not soak the berries for longer than 1 minute; otherwise, they will lose their flavor and quality.
Gently remove the strawberries from the top of the water.
Spread them on an absorbent tea towel. Air dry for 40-60 minutes.
Now chop off the top with the leaves from the strawberries and remove any blemishes if they have them.
Note – Some people hull the strawberries, that is, remove the white part using a pairing knife, but I never do that and still get perfectly frozen strawberries.
Note – At this stage, you can cut the strawberries into half, puree them, or chop them into small pieces.
Arrange the strawberries on a baking tray in a single layer. Ensure the strawberries do not touch each other on the tray to avoid clumping.
Note – You can also line the baking sheet with parchment paper so the strawberries won’t stick to the sheet.
Freeze for 6-8 hours until each strawberry is frozen.
Collect the frozen strawberries and put them in a zip-lock bag. Seal the bag and freeze the strawberries until you want to use them.
Tip – Use a straw to remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag to avoid the formation of ice crystals. It’s also good to label the bag with the date of freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is essential to wash the strawberries before freezing them to get rid of any dirt. I also recommend soaking them in a water and vinegar solution to ensure they are free of any bacteria and mold. Mix 3 cups of water and ½ cup vinegar in a large bowl and soak the berries for 3-4 minutes in this solution. Then rinse with water, drain, air dry, and freeze.
There is no compulsion to thaw the strawberries. If you use them to make smoothies or milkshakes, where you need frozen fruits, use them directly from the freezer. If you use them in baked goods, you will have to thaw them to room temperature.
There are multiple ways by which you can thaw the strawberries.
1. Need Them Urgently – Use the defrost option of your microwave and check the berries at regular intervals until they are defrosted.
2. Need Them in 15 Minutes – Add the strawberries to a bowl and keep this bowl over a larger bowl filled with water.
3. Need Them in an Hour – Spread the frozen strawberries on a tray in a single layer and leave them on the counter for an hour.
4. Need Them in 8 Hours – Transfer the strawberries from the freezer to the fridge and let them sit for 8 hours.
The strawberries will release juice when thawed and will not be as firm as when fresh. The freezing process expands the water in them and bursts the cell structure. So when they are thawed, they are slightly mushy. But they will still be as delicious.
Wash and dry the strawberries and chop off the top leafy part. Transfer the berries to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the puree into small freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to a year. Thaw the puree overnight in the refrigerator or over the counter for 3-4 hours and use as desired.
You can freeze these strawberries for a year in the deep freezer. The less moisture in the bag, the better it is.
Usage Suggestions
Use the frozen strawberries to make smoothies, or milkshakes like
- Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie
- Strawberry Lassi
- Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie
- Strawberry Spinach Smoothie
- Korean Strawberry Milk
- Strawberry Milkshake
- Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie
Make desserts like Strawberry Cobbler.
I also make Strawberry Sauce or Strawberry Jam and serve them with crepes, pancakes, or waffles all year round.
My Strawberry BBQ Sauce is also a great sauce to make using frozen strawberries.
Use them to make Strawberry Overnight Oats or Smoothie Bowls.
You can even use it in your cocktails and mocktails like Strawberry Margarita, and your guests will surely wonder where did you get strawberries from? Haha, it happens to me all the time.
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Recipe Card
How to freeze strawberries
Instructions
- Start by washing the strawberries. Washing the berries before freezing is highly recommended to remove any dirt in them.
- Discard the berries that are soft and squishy.
- Take a large bowl filled with water and add ½ cup of white vinegar to it. Soak the strawberries in this mixture for a minute. The dirt will settle down. Do not soak the berries for longer than 1 minute; otherwise, they will lose their flavor and quality.
- Gently remove the strawberries from the top of the water and spread them on an absorbent tea towel. Air dry for 40-60 minutes.
- Now chop off the top with the leaves from the strawberries and remove any blemishes if they have them.
- Note – Some people hull the strawberries, that is, remove the white part using a pairing knife, but I never do that and still get perfectly frozen strawberries.
- Note – At this stage, you can cut the strawberries into half, puree them, or chop them into small pieces.
- Arrange the strawberries on a baking tray in a single layer. Ensure the strawberries do not touch each other on the tray to avoid clumping.
- Note – You can also line the baking sheet with parchment paper so the strawberries won’t stick to the sheet.
- Freeze for 6-8 hours until each strawberry is frozen.
- Collect the frozen strawberries and put them in a zip-lock bag. Seal the bag and freeze the strawberries until you want to use them.
- Tip – Use a straw to remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag to avoid the formation of ice crystals. It’s also good to label the bag with the date of freezing.
Sonia Mathur
Just when I was thinking of finding a way to freeze the season’s last lot of strawberries, this pops up in the newsletter. Thanks for sharing this important information in such a detailed fashion with so many options too!