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Strawberries have always been my favorite fruit.
There’s no getting around it, I want all the strawberries all the time, including when they’re not in season.
To tackle that obstacle, I quickly learned how to freeze strawberries so that I could use them in smoothies, fruit bakes, pies, and other desserts and recipes even when I didn’t like the look of the fresh ones from the store.
The great thing about freezing strawberries are that, unlike fruit such as apples or pears, the water content in strawberries make them a perfect candidate for freezing and there are a few different options on how to do it successfully.
Whether you want to freeze a leftover crop or are looking forward to some strawberry smoothies, here’s a full guide to freezing strawberries for those of us who are embracing the idea of a no-fuss freezing experience!
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Can You Freeze Strawberries?
Yes, you can freeze strawberries!
It freezes well, and while it will never taste exactly like a fresh strawberry again with that same fresh texture, you can do it in ways that doesn’t see too much loss of the flavor or texture.
How to Freeze Fresh Strawberries
There are two main options I use when freezing strawberries: freezing them separately and then putting them together in ziploc bags, or doing a “dry sugar pack,” which involves a bit of sugar and some freeze-safe containers (I love these glass ones).
Regardless of your method, you’ll want to start by taking the stems off of the strawberries because who wants to take up extra space in your freezer with something you’re not going to eat?
Then, you should carefully wash the strawberries in cold water and pat dry.
For either option, you can freeze the strawberries whole.
Or you can slice them in half and freeze in chunks.
I find that freezing in chunks gives me more room in the freezer because I can pack them tighter.
For the first method, get out a baking tray and put some parchment paper on it.
Lay the dry strawberries on the tray and freeze for about 2 hours.
Then, consolidate the frozen strawberries into a ziploc bag or container and return to the freezer.
Because they have been pre-frozen, this how you freeze strawberries without going mushy because they will be able to be separated as soon as they come out of the freezer.
If you don’t necessarily need the strawberries to be separate, but instead are going to use them to throw in smoothies or make a strawberry syrup or something similar, you can use the dry sugar pack method which is easier as it involves less work overall.
For this one, you’re going to put a layer of strawberries in a bowl, add a layer of sugar, then add another layer of strawberries, and continue like this.
This allows the juice that flows from the strawberry to combine with the sugar to make a natural syrup when it thaws.
Leave about 1/2 inch between the strawberries and the top of the container when using this method.
Do You Wash Strawberries Before Freezing?
As mentioned, I do wash strawberries thoroughly before freezing to make sure they’re rid of any bugs or extra things I don’t want in there.
Be sure to rinse in cold water, and pat fully dry before freezing.
How Long Do Frozen Strawberries Last?
The good news! Strawberries can list for up to 1 year in the freezer, frozen, so you can literally have as many strawberries as you want year round if you freeze enough in advance.
Frozen Strawberries
This recipe for freezing strawberries is a great cooking tip and will make sure you have strawberries all year round.
Ingredients
- Strawberries, fresh (whole or chopped)
- Sugar, granulated
Instructions
Freezing Separately:
1. Cut the stems off of the strawberries
2. Carefully wash the strawberries in cold water and pat dry
3. Lay dry strawberries on baking tray covered in parchment paper
4. Freeze for 2 hours
5. Take out of freezer and consolidate into Ziploc bag
6. Return to freezer until you're ready to use
Dry Sugar Pack Method:
1. Cut the stems off the strawberries
2. Carefully wash the strawberries in cold water and pat dry
3. Put a layer of strawberries in a bowl, add a layer of sugar, then add another layer of strawberries, and continue like this.
4. Leave about 1/2 inch between the strawberries and top of the container and close the lid.
5. Freeze until ready to use
Notes
1. The freezing separately method will mean you can unfreeze individual strawberries when you're ready. The dry sugar pack freezing method means it will be more of a strawberry syrup when thawed.
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