How to Freeze Strawberries
Freezing strawberries is a great way to preserve their sweet and juicy flavor, but it’s important to do it right to maintain their freshness as much as possible. Freeze strawberries for great taste later.
To freeze strawberries you’ll prepare your strawberries by washing and cleaning them. Cut them to desired size, put them in freezer containers (bags are my preference) and place int he freezer. No blanching, or other preparation is needed.
How to Freeze Strawberries; Extended Directions and Expert Tips
Choose fresh strawberries that are perfect for eating Remember freezing doesn’t fix bad berries. Don’t use soft overripe, green or damaged strawberries.
Prepare the Berries
Step one is to wash your berries and remove the stems.
Give them a good rinse with cold water. I like to do this before I remove the stems. Blot them dry with paper towels. Next you’ll remove the stem and any green or damaged portions of the berry.
If you’ve got a strawberry that has small blemishes it is fine to just cut that part off. But remember there is a difference in damaged and overripe and/or moldy. If there is mold just throw the berry away.
How to Hull the Strawberries.
- You can take a spoon and just scoop the berry stem out. My husband does this though I find it messy.
- You can also just do it the old fashioned way with a sharp paring knife.
- Personally I always grab our strawberry or tomato corer. It works really well to leave the strawberry and remove the greens.
Next cut your berries into the size you desire.
- Cut into 1/2 inch slices. (This is a little small, but it works)
- Small strawberries can be sliced in half lengthwise.
- Or you can just leave them whole.
I usually just quarter or halve the berry depending on the size. Small strawberries I leave whole.
How to freeze strawberries with no sugar.
Strawberries are sweet enough on their own that they really don’t need added sugar. I love this method especially because I can pre-freeze them on trays before I package. Then I can take out just the right amount of strawberries for my later use.
Freezing prepared strawberries without pre-freeze.
You can simply place your prepared strawberries in freezer containers of your choice. Label with content and put in the freezer.
I’d suggest keeping in mind how many strawberries you may use at a time. Freezing in a package like this the strawberries will be frozen together. Don’t freeze a big gallon size container unless you plan on using the full amount.
Pre-freezing strawberries (my favorite method)
Freezing strawberries with no sugar lends itself nicely to individually frozen pieces. Flash-freezing is when you lay your prepared strawberries out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
You can have several layers if you have a lot of strawberries. Just add a piece of parchment paper between layers.
Place the tray in the freezer. It may take 2-3 hours for the berries to freeze. When they are, package them for storage in your choice of freezer containers. (More on container options below)
- If using rigid freezer containers leave 1/2 inch headspace for expansion.
- If using freezer bags squeeze as much air out as possible
Be sure and label the containers with the contents and the date. Return to freezer and enjoy later!
Freezing Strawberries with Sugar
Freezing strawberries with sugar will create a sweet juicy result.
After you have cut your berries into the size you like. Then sprinkle on the sugar. I’ve seen recommended 3/4 cup of sugar to 1 quart berries. Or to taste is just fine. More sugar will create more syrup.
Stir to mix in sugar and allow sugared berries to stand 30 minutes to develop some juices.
Package in freezer containers. (More on container options below)
- If using rigid containers leave 1 to 2 inches headspace for expansion.
- If using freezer bags squeeze as much air out as possible
Label the containers with contents and date, then return to freezer.
Freezing Strawberries with Artificial Sweetener
So let me preface this by saying… I think artificial sweeteners are bad for you! If you ask me, I’d tell you don’t use it. Just freeze without sugar if you don’t want sugar. Strawberries are sweet any way!
But yes, you can use artificial sweeteners. Simple check the package directions compare sweetness to regular sugar and adapt the amounts to match. Keep in mind, artificial sweeteners will not preserve texture, color or flavor like regular sugar will. Your fruit will be just like if it were frozen plain.
Freezer Container Options
Freezer Bags
These are my preference. They are convenient to stack in the freezer and take up less space. Be sure you get bags labeled for the freezer. Storage bags are not as heavy and don’t offer the protection freezer bags do.
Rigid Freezer Containers
Plastic containers are also a great option. I used these square freezer containers today for my syrup pack.
I also have and really love these Ball Freezer Jars (these are plastic not glass, I’m not sure why they call them jars)
Glass Jars
Speaking of jars, you can also freeze strawberries in glass jars, although I don’t personally recommend it. Glass tends to break and it is not very space friendly in your freezer. If you must use glass, look for wide mouth straight sided jars. They are less likely to break. And be sure and leave plenty of headspace.
Freezing Strawberry Ice Cubes.
Another option is to blend or crush your strawberries then you can freeze them in ice cube trays.
- Simply place your prepared strawberries in a bowl and crush with a potato masher.
- Or place in a blender and puree.
I like to add a bit of lemon juice just to add a little tang. This can be done either with or with out sugar.
Pour your strawberry puree into ice cube trays and Place in the freezer. The next day, simply pop the strawberry cubes out and place in a freezer bag.
Use these as ice in drinks for a cool summer treat. Add to your fruit smoothies.
How do you freeze strawberries so they don’t get mushy.
Everything breaks down to a certain point in the freezer. Your strawberries will not be like fresh when you take them out. They soften. But did you know?
The faster strawberries freeze, the better the quality will be.
Here is a tip for getting to the frozen state quickly. Until your packages are frozen place them separately in the freezer. Don’t stack freezer bags. After the containers are frozen you can rearrange and stack them for better use of space. This gets cold freezer air around your packages quickly and they will freeze faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frozen strawberries will last up to 8 months in the freezer. After that the quality will diminish more quickly. Plan on using it up before then.
This is mostly personal preference and how you will be using them later. If you’ve got small berries, it is better to freeze them whole. My logic is the less the berry is cut the less breakdown will be happening. BUt if you’ve got huge berries, cut them up a bit.
Yes it is a good idea to wash your berries. This can be as simple as a quick rinse with cold running water. This will remove any stems, bits of leaves, dust, hiding insects. Cleaner is always better.
It is a fact that strawberries get soft when they thaw out. There are things you can do to help. But freezing does break them down. They still taste good and still work great in smoothies, yogurt, baked items, dessert toppings, pies, etc.
Before you go…
Freezing is only one good way to preserve strawberries. Look at other options for preserving strawberries here…
Recipe Card
How to Freeze Strawberries
Equipment
- Freezer Containers freezer bags or rigid containers
- Large Pot
- Strawberry Corer optional
- Sharp Knife
- Egg Slicer optional
- Tomato Slicer optional
- Baking Tray
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- Strawberries
- Sugar optional
Instructions
Freezing Strawberries
- Choose ripe strawberries. Do not use overripe, green or damaged strawberries.
- Wash, remove the stem and any unripe or damaged portions.
How to freeze strawberries with no sugar.
- Cut into 1/2 inch slices, leave whole, or small strawberries can be sliced in half lengthwise.
- Lay out on parchment paper lined baking trays, in a single layer.
- Place in freezer. When berries are frozen package for storage in freezer containers. (See notes for choices and tips)
- If using rigid containers leave 1/2 inch headspace for expansion.
- If using freezer bags squeeze as much air out as possible Label containers with content and date and return to freezer.
Freezing Strawberries with Sugar
- Cut berries into desired pieces, crush slightly, or leave whole.
- Add sugar; 3/4 cup to 1 quart berries. Or to taste.
- Stir to mix in sugar.
- Allow sugared berries to stand 30 minutes to develop some juices.
- Package in freezer containers. (See notes for options and tips)
- If using rigid containers leave 1 to 2 inches headspace for expansion.
- If using freezer bags squeeze as much air out as possible.
- Label containers with content and date and return to freezer.
Notes
More Strawberry Options
Strawberry jam – This is a very simple recipe for strawberry jam. Strawberries and sugar…. that is it.
Strawberry Rhubarb Jam – This strawberry rhubarb jam recipe is made with equal parts of Strawberry and Rhubarb. My favorite combination!
Newsletter and Canning Quick Start Series – Canning Quick Start is a 7 email series that brings you through all the most important information to know first. A great way to get started.
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