There's nothing like a bowl of fresh, sweet strawberries! And come May, you can find the ripe fruit at your local berry patch or farmers' markets—or you might even grow strawberries in your own backyard! Heck, you can find pints of strawberries available year-round at the grocery store. And while we're often putting the sweet berries to good use in our favorite strawberry recipes, sometimes we just wind up with too many strawberries. (If that’s possible! 😂). In those cases, knowing how to freeze strawberries will come in handy! After all, the only thing better than a fresh strawberry pie in summer, is getting a taste of strawberries at their peak throughout the year!
Ahead, we explain how to freeze strawberries so that you can enjoy your favorite strawberry desserts anytime. Keep in mind, though, that frozen strawberries won't have quite the same texture as fresh ones once they're thawed, so your best bet is to use them in smoothies, sauces, or other recipes. That said, traditional fruit desserts aren't off the table entirely! We've got plenty of no-bake desserts for which you can swap in frozen berries. You can also use frozen strawberries in place of ice in your favorite drinks—drop some into a glass of lemonade, for instance!
What is the best way to freeze strawberries?
Start by prepping the berries.
Thoroughly wash and dry your strawberries, then hull them by inserting a paring knife into the stem end and cutting in a small circle to carefully remove the leafy greens.
Next, slice them!
You can slice them in half, quarter them, or thickly slice them. (This is up to you depending on how you plan to use the berries later.) They'll be difficult to slice once they're frozen, so only freeze them whole if you plan to use them whole (like if you're adding them to smoothies or something similar).
Finally, you're ready to freeze them.
Place the sliced berries on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer (make sure none of them are touching). Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze until the berries are fully hardened, about three hours. Remove the strawberries from the parchment and transfer them to resealable freezer bags and immediately return to the freezer. Repeat this process for any more berries you plan to freeze.
Is it better to freeze strawberries whole or sliced?
You can technically do either, but it's a good idea to slice or at least halve the strawberries before you freeze them so they are easier to work with when you eventually use them. And no matter what you do, be sure to remove the green stems before freezing.
Do strawberries get mushy after freezing?
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Frozen strawberries will never be the same as fresh, ripe ones, but they can be used for any recipe where they're blended or mashed. (Strawberry daiquiris, anyone?) In general, frozen strawberries tend to be softer and slightly mushier than fresh strawberries once they're thawed, but to get the best texture possible, avoid using overripe strawberries, dry your strawberries thoroughly after washing them to prevent too much moisture, and be sure to freeze your berries in a single layer first to avoid big clumps.
How do you store strawberries in the freezer?
If you're wondering how to store strawberries in the freezer, here's a tip: it's different than fresh ones. Follow all of the steps above, then freeze the strawberries until you're ready to use them. They'll be good for months—even up to a year!
FAQs
Methods of Freezing Strawberries
For whole berries: Freeze the berries in a single layer on a baking sheet to keep them from getting stuck together. Once they're solid, transfer the berries to a container, such as FreezerWare™, or a zip freezer bag such as Glad® Freezer Zipper Gallon Bags.
Can I freeze strawberries in Ziploc bags? ›
Methods of Freezing Strawberries
For whole berries: Freeze the berries in a single layer on a baking sheet to keep them from getting stuck together. Once they're solid, transfer the berries to a container, such as FreezerWare™, or a zip freezer bag such as Glad® Freezer Zipper Gallon Bags.
Should you put sugar on strawberries before freezing? ›
They can be frozen whole, sliced, mashed, pureed, unsweetened or in sugar. Strawberries frozen without sugar will keep, but may lose some of their flavor, texture, and color.
Do you remove the stems before freezing strawberries? ›
You can technically do either, but it's a good idea to slice or at least halve the strawberries before you freeze them so they are easier to work with when you eventually use them. And no matter what you do, be sure to remove the green stems before freezing.
How to keep frozen strawberries from getting mushy? ›
Put the strawberries on a tray. Make sure that they are on a single layer and not touching each other. Sprinkle sugar over the top of each strawberry. Put them in the freezer at the lowest temperature for a faster freezing time.
What is the best method to preserve strawberries? ›
Keep your fresh strawberries in the refrigerator for best results. If you're pressed for time and cannot wash and rinse them right away make sure to place unwashed berries in an airtight container lined with paper towels (this will help absorb any extra moisture) and keep them in the refrigerator for up to five days.
How long do strawberries last in a Ziploc bag? ›
Cover or fit into a large plastic sealable bag and then seal the bag and refrigerate. Stored this way, strawberries should last at least five-seven days. The strawberries should stay dry and cold.
Why do strawberries get mushy after freezing? ›
Strawberries have a high water content, so they're prone to turning soggy and waterlogged when they thaw. To minimize the formation of ice crystals (the real culprit of sogginess, they break down the berries' structure, so they become soft when defrosted), it's best to flash-freeze them.
Should strawberries be washed before freezing? ›
Basic method for freezing strawberries
Prep the strawberries by washing them in cold water and patting dry with kitchen paper. Cut and discard the stems, then freeze whole or cut to desired size.
How long will frozen strawberries last in the freezer? ›
How Long Can You Freeze Strawberries? Frozen strawberries will last up to one year if they remain frozen. Use within six months for the best flavor.
If you're going to thaw your strawbs in the future to snack on, go ahead and freeze them whole. Otherwise, for applications like a compote or smoothie, you're better off slicing the strawberries before freezing (you can also halve or quarter them based on what makes the most sense).
Do I need to cover strawberries for a freeze? ›
Key points. Spring frost and freeze damage can occur to buds after straw removal. The open blossoms are most sensitive to damage, while closed buds can withstand low temperatures with less risk of injury. Use irrigation or row covers to protect plants from freezing and frost.
Should fresh strawberries be washed before freezing? ›
Basic method for freezing strawberries
Prep the strawberries by washing them in cold water and patting dry with kitchen paper. Cut and discard the stems, then freeze whole or cut to desired size.
Can you freeze strawberries in plastic containers? ›
The simplest way to freeze strawberries is to place them in a plastic container or freezer bag in the freezer. Use a paring knife to hull your strawberries first, then rinse them under running water using a colander. Allow them to dry on a paper towel, then put them in your freezer container.
Do you wash berries before you freeze them? ›
Ideally, freeze your blueberries as they are and wait to rinse them when you take them out of the freezer. If you do prefer to rinse the blueberries first, be sure to dry well with paper towels, then transfer them to freezer containers or resealable plastic bags for freezing.
How to freeze strawberries to make jam later? ›
How to Freeze Strawberries
- Remove the tops. Hull the strawberries or just simply slice the tops off. ...
- Cut the strawberries. How you chop them up is really up to you. ...
- Freeze strawberries in a single layer. ...
- Transfer to freezer bags.
