How to Freeze Strawberries: 6 Easy Steps!

Learn how to freeze strawberries effectively. Follow this step-by-step guide to washing, hulling, and freezing strawberries for long-lasting freshness. Enjoy delicious frozen strawberries anytime!

Jump to:

• Introduction
• 6 Easy steps to freeze strawberries
• Why freeze strawberries?
• How to freeze strawberries without sugar
• FAQ
• How to defrost strawberries
• What to do with frozen strawberries
• More strawberry desserts
• Conclusion
• Recipe

Introduction

Have you ever returned from a strawberry-picking adventure with 16 liters of strawberries? 

It may sound unbelievable, but it’s hard for a strawberry lover like me to resist picking fresh, delicious berries.

While some argue that strawberries are available year-round, enjoying locally grown fruits and vegetables is a special feeling. When it comes to seasonal fresh strawberries, their sweet and delectable taste is unrivaled.

I couldn’t wait to get home to make homemade strawberry jam for my Italian crostata recipe. 

But what happens when you have more strawberries than you can devour within a few days? 

That’s where the art of freezing comes in. 

Freezing strawberries is an excellent method for preserving their flavor and extending their usability in various recipes, even when out of season.

6 Easy steps to freeze strawberries

When freezing strawberries, proper preparation is key to ensure the best results. Here is a quick summary of the steps: 

Using the best strawberries: Always choose strawberries that are entirely bright red and glossy looking in order to get great-tasting and sweet strawberries once they are thawed. There should be no green or white streaks.

Washing and drying: Place the strawberries in a colander and rinse them under cold running water. Gently pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel.

Hulling the berries: Remove the green tops and white centers once the strawberries are dry using a strawberry huller or a paring knife. 

Prepping for freezing: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Arrange the hulled strawberries in a single layer on the baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other. This will prevent them from sticking together during freezing.

Freezing: Place the baking sheet with the strawberries in the freezer and let them freeze. Depending on the size of the strawberries, this usually takes about 2-4 hours.

Transferring to a freezer bag: Once the strawberries are frozen, carefully remove them from the baking sheet and transfer them into a Ziplock freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air and seal the bag tightly. Don’t forget to label the bag with the date of freezing.

Join me as I guide you and provide more details about preserving fresh strawberries in your freezer.

Why freeze strawberries?

Freezing strawberries is a simple way to preserve their flavor and nutritional value while extending their usability.

Fresh strawberries have a short shelf life, but freezing them enables you to enjoy their deliciousness in various dishes, including smoothies, baking, desserts, and sauces.

You can enjoy their convenience and delightful taste throughout the year by keeping frozen strawberries on hand. Imagine reaching into your freezer and using the exact amount you need to make delicious treats like strawberry rhubarb compote. 

In the long run, it’s much cheaper to freeze your locally picked strawberries rather than buy them in the middle of the winter from the frozen section of your big box store.

Although there are several effective methods, let me show you my preferred method to freeze fresh strawberries.

How to freeze strawberries without sugar

Freezing strawberries is a simple process that helps preserve their freshness for later use. Here are six easy steps to help you preserve them:

Step 1: Selecting Strawberries

Choose the best strawberries for freezing to ensure maximum flavor and texture:

1. Opt for strawberries in peak season, available at your local farmer’s market or freshly picked.
2. Look for fresh, ripe berries that are firm, plump, and bright red.
3. Avoid strawberries with any signs of mold, soft spots, or overripeness.

Step 2: Washing and drying

1. Place the strawberries in a colander and rinse under cold running water.
2. Allow the water to drain.
3. Gently transfer the strawberries to a tea towel and spread them out.
4. Pat them down with another tea towel to remove the excess moisture. Never soak these delicate berries as they quickly begin to lose their quality… they become soggy and lose their flavor.
5. Allow to air dry for 30-60 minutes.

Step 3: Hulling the berries

Hulling strawberries involves removing the green stems and leaves from the top of each berry. Follow these steps to hull strawberries properly:

1. Hold the strawberry firmly in one hand; with the other, insert the tip of a paring knife or a strawberry huller just below the stem.
2. Twist the knife or huller gently to remove the stem and leaves from the top of the berry.
3. Repeat the process for each strawberry.
4. Consider slicing the larger berries in half or quarters, and keep the smaller ones intact.

Step 4: Prepping for freezing

To ensure optimal freezing and easy individual thawing, follow these steps:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Choose a baking sheet that fits comfortably in your freezer.
2. Place the hulled strawberries on the parchment paper, ensuring they do not touch each other. This prevents clumping and allows for individual freezing.

Step 5: Freezing

After prepping the strawberries, it’s time to freeze them. Here’s how:

1. Place the baking sheet of prepared strawberries in your freezer.
2. Allow the strawberries to freeze on the baking sheet for approximately 2-3 hours.

Step 6: Transferring to a freezer bag

Once the strawberries are frozen, storing them properly for long-term preservation is important. Follow these steps for storing frozen strawberries:

1. Transfer the frozen strawberries from the baking sheet into a resealable freezer bag or an airtight container.
2. Remove as much air as possible from the bag or container to minimize the formation of ice crystals. This can be done using a straw or a vacuum sealer, if available.
3. Label the bag or container with the date of freezing for easy reference.
4. Place the bag or container in the freezer.

You now have the versatility of using one strawberry at a time (if you want) to make some of your favorite strawberry treats.

FAQ

How to defrost strawberries

To defrost strawberries based on your preferred timeline, consider these methods:

Immediate use: Utilize the defrost setting on your microwave, checking at one-minute intervals until fully defrosted.

Quick defrost in 15 minutes: Place the strawberries in a leak-proof container within a larger bowl of cold water.

Gradual defrost in approximately 60 minutes: Allow the strawberries to thaw at room temperature by spreading them in a single layer on a large plate.

Slow defrost over 24 hours: Store the strawberries in a sealable container in the refrigerator.

Keep in mind that thawing frozen strawberries will naturally release juices, which is normal.

What to do with frozen strawberries

Frozen strawberries are a versatile ingredient that can be used in various ways. Here are just a few ideas: 

Making sauces and syrups

Frozen berries are perfect for making sauces and syrups.

Thaw and then blend them in a food processor or blender until smooth. You can strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds or pulp.

Sweeten to taste with your preferred sweetener, and use the sauce as a topping for ice cream, ricotta pancakes, buttermilk waffles, or yogurt. You can also add a dollop of it to this Italian sponge cake. 

Using in smoothies and drinks

Frozen strawberries are a great addition to smoothies and milkshakes. Blend frozen strawberries with your favorite liquid (milk, yogurt, or juice) and other fruits or vegetables.

They are also convenient when making summer drinks. Dawn at Girl Heart Food shares her frozen strawberry mango margarita recipe. Doesn’t it look good?

Baking with frozen strawberries

Frozen strawberries can be used in baking, but they usually release more liquid than fresh strawberries. One trick is tossing the thawed strawberries with a light dusting of flour before adding them to your batter.

This will help absorb the excess liquid and prevent your baked goods from becoming too wet. One of my favorite recipes is banana strawberry muffins.

More strawberry desserts

Indulge in the delightful world of strawberry desserts with these mouthwatering recipes that make the most of these juicy red gems.

Whipped Ricotta Parfait: Experience the perfect balance of creamy ricotta cheese and sweet strawberries in this heavenly dessert. Layers of luscious whipped ricotta, fresh strawberries, and a hint of honey create a delightful treat for your taste buds.

Summer Crostata Recipe: Enjoy the flavors of summer with this rustic and charming crostata. A buttery crust cradles a filling of juicy strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, creating a beautiful dessert that showcases the natural sweetness of the fruit.

Macerated Strawberries: Elevate the flavor of your strawberries with a simple maceration process. Combining sliced strawberries with a touch of sugar and a splash of lemon juice enhances their natural sweetness and creates a juicy topping for various desserts.

Strawberry Kiwi Granita: Cool down on a warm day with this refreshing and icy treat. A blend of ripe strawberries and tangy kiwi, transformed into a granita.

Strawberry with Balsamic Glaze: Elevate strawberries’ taste with a balsamic glaze drizzle. Combining the sweet, tangy glaze with ripe strawberries creates a tantalizing dessert that surprises and delights.

Conclusion

Freezing strawberries is an excellent way to preserve their color, quality, and flavor.

It allows you to enjoy your favorite strawberry desserts all year round by simply thawing out the exact amount you need.

So, the next time you go strawberry picking and end up with more than you can consume, don’t let them go to waste!

Freeze them and enjoy the taste of summer anytime you want.

I would love to hear how you plan to use your frozen strawberries!

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria

★★★★★ If you have used this method to freeze strawberries,  I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

This post was originally published on June 29, 2018 and republished on June 11, 2019 with updated content.