Once you know how to freeze strawberries you will be able to enjoy the taste of fresh picked berries all year long. Nothing compares to the taste of bright red, juicy strawberries that you get during the spring and early summer months during peak harvest season.
Whether you grow your own or purchase them locally at the farmer’s market or stand, fresh picked berries are juicy and have a ton of flavor. They taste nothing like the strawberries that you purchase in the middle of winter at the grocery store.
Those berries are large, but they are dry and are bland tasting in comparison to fresh picked, juicy strawberries. So this year, do yourself a favor and preserve those strawberries while you can so you can enjoy the taste of summer all year long!
Luckily, one of the easiest methods of preserving is to freeze them. You can freeze the berries whole or sliced depending on what you plan to do with them.
However, it is important to know that frozen berries don’t have the same texture as fresh berries Therefore, it is best to freeze them to use in recipes and not with the intention of eating them fresh.
You can use them to make smoothies, sauces, Strawberry Jam and to top ice cream and other desserts. And in the middle of winter when you pull out that freezer packet of strawberries you will be glad you took the time to save them!
How To Freeze Strawberries
There are 3 methods that you can use to freeze strawberries. Depending on how you plan to use the frozen berries in the future will determine which method to use.
Because I like to use them in all different ways throughout the year, I preserve them using all three methods. However, choose the method or a combination of methods that works best for you.
1. Flash Freezing Strawberries Then Store
This method allows you to freeze the berries so that they don’t clump together in one solid mass when stored in the freezer. It is a great method when you want to use one or a few berries in a recipe or to top small desserts.
Wash and hull the strawberries. Rinse the strawberries under cold water and remove the green stems. Be sure that they are completely dry before freezing.
Slice or halve the strawberries. Although you can keep the strawberries whole, they are easier to store if you slice them. You can slice the strawberries into halves, quarters, or even smaller pieces if desired.
Spread the strawberries out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure the strawberries are not touching each other.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until the strawberries have ice crystals on the surface.
Once the strawberries are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Be sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag or container before sealing it.
Label the bag or container with the date you froze the strawberries.
2. Freezing Strawberries In Measured Amounts
This is the easiest method to freeze strawberries because they are frozen in clumps, instead of individually frozen. I use this method when I know that I will be using a measured amount of strawberries in recipes.
For instance, if I am going to be making smoothies, I know that I need 1 cup of frozen strawberries. Therefore, I will measure one cup of sliced strawberries and freeze that specific amount together in a single cluster.
However, you can also use this method if you don’t have the space in your freeze to flash freeze the strawberries before storing, or if you are simply short on time.
Wash and hull the strawberries. Rinse the strawberries under cold water and remove the green stems. Be sure that they are completely dry before freezing.
Slice or halve the strawberries. You can slice the strawberries into halves, quarters, or even smaller pieces if desired.
Measure and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Be sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag or container before sealing it.
Label the bag or container with the amount and the date you froze the strawberries.
3. Macerated Strawberries
Maceration is a process of softening or sweetening strawberries by adding sugar. The sugar draws out the juices of the strawberries, creating a sweet, fruity syrup.
Once this process happens you can freeze the strawberries and the liquid it has created. Macerated strawberries can be used in a variety of ways, such as topping pancakes, waffles, or ice cream, or as a filling for pies or tarts.
Wash and hull the strawberries. Rinse the strawberries under cold water and remove the stems.
Slice the strawberries. You can slice the strawberries into halves or quarters.
Add sugar. Place the strawberries in a bowl. Then for every quart of strawberries sprinkle a half cup of sugar on top. Toss to coat and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Sprinkle lemon juice on top. Adding a little lemon juice will had a hint of tartness which will help balance out the sweetness of the juice.
Measure and transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Be sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag or container before sealing it.
Label the bag or container with the amount and the date you froze the macerated strawberries.
Tips For Freezing Strawberries
Here are a few tips to consider when preparing to freeze your own strawberries.
- Avoid using overripe strawberries. If the strawberries are already soft and mushy, they will be even more mushy when they are frozen.
- Do not wash the strawberries until you are ready to freeze them. This will help to prevent them from getting too soft before freezing.
- Hull the strawberries before freezing. Hulling is the simple process of removing the entire green stem and leaves on the strawberries. You can use a strawberry huller, however a simple paring knife will work just as well.
- Store in air tight containers. It is important to freeze strawberries in air tight containers so they don’t get freezer burn. You can use resealable freezer bags as long as you get as much air out as possible. Another good option is to use a Food Saver which suctions the air out of the bag before sealing. Store for up to 12 months in the freezer.
- Label the bag. Be sure to label the date that you froze the strawberries and the measured amount (if applicable). If you used a container and not a freezer bag, use freezer tape to label the contents and date.
3 Ways to Thaw Strawberries
When you are ready to enjoy the strawberries, you can eat them frozen or thaw them out to use in recipes. There are three different methods of thawing, therefore, pick whichever one works for you depending on your needs.
Refrigerator thawing: This is the most common method. Simply place the frozen strawberries in the refrigerator overnight. They will be thawed and ready to use in the morning.
Microwave thawing: This method is faster, but it can also make the strawberries mushy. Place the frozen strawberries in a microwave-safe bowl and set the microwave to the defrost setting. Check the strawberries every 30 seconds or so until they are thawed.
Cold water thawing: This method is also fast and helps the strawberries retain their shape. Place the frozen strawberries container in a bowl of cold water. The strawberries will thaw in about 15 minutes.
There you have it, 3 simple methods on how to freeze strawberries to preserve your fresh picked strawberries this year!
Enjoy!
Mary and Jim
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
As always, feel free to email us at thefarm@owgarden.com with comments, questions, or to simply say hello! You can sign up for our free email list in the subscribe now box in the middle of this article. Follow us on Facebook here : OWG Facebook. This article may contain affiliate links.