Have more berries than you know what to do with? Learn how to freeze strawberries the way Grandma always did so you can enjoy them year-round.
Strawberries are a hot commodity for all kinds of recipes and breakfasts, like my Strawberry Pancakes, and whether you want to freeze the whole berry or slice them, I’ll show you how to do both in the process below.
Can You Freeze Strawberries
Freezing Strawberries is the best way to preserve your sweet strawberries for future enjoyment throughout the year.
With the steps below, you’ll prevent freezer burn or having them turn into a solid block of strawberries, ensuring that they’re in excellent shape when you need them for a recipe.
If it’s summer where you are, you might also find my method for keeping berries fresh in the fridge helpful. This way, you can freeze berries and keep some in the refrigerator for easy snacking.
The Best Way to Freeze Strawberries
The best way to freeze strawberries is to separate them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and once frozen, transfer them into a zip bag. Here’s what to do:
How to Freeze Strawberries
- Prep
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Wash & dry
Place the berries into a colander or salad spinner and rinse with cold water. Transfer them to a large kitchen towel and gently pat dry.
- Remove leafy-green tops
Use a paring knife to remove each berry’s green stem and leaves.
- Cut into pieces
If you aren’t freezing the berries whole, carefully cut them into quarters or slices.
- Flash-freeze
Spread the whole or sliced berries in an even layer onto the baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour.
- Transfer to a bag
Place the frozen strawberries into a heavy-duty zip bag, remove excess air, and seal.
- Store
Place the packaged berries into the freezer and freeze for up to 3 months.
Watch this recipe video to see how each step is carried out:
How to Freeze Whole Strawberries
You can freeze whole berries once cleaned using the process above, but skip the step of slicing berries into quarters. Instead, leave them whole and flash freeze them on the baking sheet before storing them in the zip bag.
How Long Can You Freeze Strawberries
Using this method, you can freeze strawberries for up to 3 months. Use a freezer-safe zip bag, so the berries don’t get freezer-burn.
Keeping Frozen Strawberries from Getting Mushy
The most important tip to keep strawberries from getting mushy is to dry them before flash-freezing. This way, the berries won’t stick to one another but will freeze into individual pieces.
Thawed strawberries won’t have the same texture as a fresh berry, but they’re still good for fruit salads, baking recipes, parfaits, and smoothies.
Refreezing strawberries is not recommended -berries that were once frozen, then thawed, frozen again. Those will have a different texture, often clump together, and are more prone to freezer burn.
How to Use Frozen Strawberries
There are many ways to turn those frozen berries into something delicious. Some of the recipes below can be made with frozen berries, while others will need them to be defrosted first, but I’ll put a note beside which ones:
- Strawberry Pancakes– berries need to be thawed
- Homemade Strawberry Milk
- Homemade Strawberry Pancake Syrup
- Roasted Strawberries– berries need to be thawed
Curious to know what other foods you can freeze? I have a running list with everything from milk to eggs, sandwiches, and fully prepared meals.
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