Preserving Strawberries: Canning, Dehydrating, Freezing and Jam Recipes

Strawberries are one of the first fruits of the season, and they don’t last long once picked. Putting some up while they’re at their best is worth the effort. Whether you’ve got a flat from the farmers market or more than you can eat fresh from your own patch, there’s a preservation method here to fit what you’re working with.

Only have a small amount? You don’t need a full batch to can — see this guide to scaling recipes down.

Below you’ll find recipes for canning strawberries whole, freezing them for smoothies and baking, dehydrating them into a chewy snack, and turning them into jam. Each recipe links out to full instructions, so click through to the one that matches what you’re making.

How to Can Strawberries

Canning strawberries is a fantastic way to keep their fresh, sweet taste year-round. Learn how to prepare and can strawberries to capture that garden-fresh flavor in every jar.

Strawberry Jam

This easy Strawberry Jam recipe uses fresh strawberries in a delicious vibrant jam that’s simple to make and tastes like summer in a jar.

Mixed Berry Strawberry Raspberry Jam 

Blend strawberries and raspberries for a Mixed Berry Jam with amazing flavor and vibrant color. This recipe balances the sweetness of strawberries with the tartness of raspberries, making it the perfect berry jam.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam

Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam combines two favorite flavors in one jar. The sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb make for an irresistible jam ideal for breakfast spreads or dessert fillings.

Dehydrating Strawberries

Dehydrating strawberries is a great method for making shelf-stable snacks that are chewy, sweet, and bursting with concentrated strawberry flavor. Perfect for trail mix, oatmeal, or eating by the handful.

How to Freeze Strawberries

Freeze strawberries to lock in their fresh sweetness for use in smoothies, desserts, and more. With easy prep steps, you can stock your freezer with strawberries ready for any strawberry recipe.

Canning Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

Capture summer in a jar with home canned Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate. This concentrate is a delicious way to enjoy refreshing strawberry lemonade any time by simply adding water, making it a go-to for parties or quick drinks.

Common Questions About Preserving Strawberries

Is it worth canning strawberries?

It’s safe. But if you want my opinion, not really worth it. I show this more on the canning strawberries post. After a few months on the shelf, canned strawberries tend to turn brownish and smooshy. They can be suited to smoothies or an ice cream topping than eating straight from the jar. Here’s an honest look at a few foods I don’t bother canning anymore (including strawberries)

Can you water bath can strawberries, or do you need a pressure canner?

Strawberries are a high-acid fruit, so a water bath canner is all you need — no pressure canner required. This holds whether you’re canning them plain, in syrup, or as jam.

Why do home-canned strawberries float or lose their color?

Both are normal and don’t mean anything went wrong. Strawberries are full of air and lighter than the syrup, so they tend to rise in the jar, and their color naturally softens over time. Packing the jars snugly and letting them rest a few weeks after processing helps, but floating and fading berries are still safe to eat.

Can I make jam from frozen strawberries?

Yes — if your fresh strawberry season has already come and gone, frozen berries work well for jam. Frozen berries work well for jam. There are adjustments to make. Here are the directions on how to do this.

Preserving the goodness with these strawberry recipes lets you enjoy their sweet flavor all year long. From canning to dehydrating, freezing, and making various jams, there are countless ways to enjoy strawberries beyond their peak season.

Try making Mixed Berry Jam with strawberries and raspberries, or canning Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate for a refreshing summer treat. For a tangy twist, whip up some Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam, or keep it simple with classic Strawberry Jam made without commercial pectin.

Don’t forget to freeze strawberries to use later in smoothies, baked goods, or as a delicious topping.