Eating fresh and juicy strawberries on a hot summer day has to be, without a doubt, one of the best feelings in the world. Not only are strawberries among the healthiest fruits you can eat, but they’re also extremely versatile. You can add them to summer smoothies, desserts, or just eat them fresh as a snack.
If you want to keep your berries fresh and juicy for as long as possible this season, you’ll want to check out our guide on how to store strawberries so they last you longer. But, if you want to extend their life to the winter months (or beyond, since frozen strawberries can last up to a year, according to FoodSafety.gov), then you’ll want to keep reading to learn the best ways to freeze your strawberries.
Besides extending their life, freezing your strawberries can give you more options for using them. A smoothie is an obvious choice, but frozen berries are also perfect for a delicious fruit crumble or your yogurt. So, these are our top tips to ensure strawberry success (hint: don’t just throw them in a bag and call it a day!).
How to freeze strawberries, step by step
Wash, freeze and bag according to the steps below:
Step 1. Clean your strawberries
When you're getting ready to freeze your berries, pick out the best of the bunch and rinse them under cold running water — go easy on the water pressure, though; the fruit is delicate and prone to bruising. Don’t soak them either, as that may waterlog the berries and dilute their sweet flavor. After rinsing, gently and thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels, then pinch off the green tops (or hull them using a sharp paring knife). Slice, halve or quarter your strawberries if desired (keep scrolling for more on freezing whole vs. sliced).
Step 2. Flash-freeze strawberries individually
Arrange your strawberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them apart, then freeze until frozen solid, at least two hours. This pre-bagging step will prevent your berries from sticking together into an infuriatingly unbreakable mass.
Step 3. Store frozen strawberries together in your freezer
Once the individual strawberries are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag (that you’ve meticulously labeled with the date, of course), squeeze out excess air (banish that freezer burn!), then seal the bag. Once the berries are packed up tightly, they’ll be good in the freezer for up to one year (and best within the first six months). If you can, avoid putting them in your freezer door to minimize temperature changes that could affect the fruit. Get ready to say hello to berry cobbler in December!
Questions about freezing strawberries
Check out these answers to your most frequently asked questions.
Is it better to freeze strawberries whole or sliced?
The answer depends on what you plan to do with the frozen strawberries. If you’re going to thaw your strawberries in the future to snack on, go ahead and freeze them whole. Otherwise, for applications like a compote or a smoothie, you’re better off slicing the strawberries before freezing (you can also halve or quarter them, depending on what makes the most sense). Trying to slice the berries after they're frozen will be more difficult, messy and frustrating.
Does freezing strawberries change the texture?
Yes. As with most fruit, strawberries become less firm after freezing and thawing and will release more liquid. Don't fret, though: The change in texture won’t matter much if you’re going to cook the frozen fruit, and in the case of smoothies, milkshakes and other blender drinks (daiquiris, anyone?), blending strawberries from frozen will actually help achieve the thick, slushy consistency you’re looking for. We can all drink to that!
Do you need to thaw frozen strawberries?
In applications where you’re blending, simmering or stewing the berries, go ahead and use them straight from frozen, tacking on additional cooking time as needed. If you’re baking the strawberries or working with any type of batter, crust, crumble or crisp, we suggest thawing the strawberries first. Here’s how: Defrost them in the fridge, let them stand at room temp until thawed or briefly microwave them to take the chill off. Don’t toss the flavorful thawing liquid — pour it into ice cube molds, or stir it into lemonade!
How do you use frozen strawberries?
Let us count the ways! Blitz frozen strawberries into creamy fruit pops for a refreshing handheld treat (add a splash more milk when blending if needed), or thaw them to fold into air fryer scones or roast into a beautiful, jammy fruit topping for baked brie. The berries also shine as a fun, booze-spiked topping for ice cream sundaes or a spiced coulis to layer in yogurt parfaits. Or keep it simple and thaw a handful of strawberries to add to your morning oatmeal for a juicy, nutritious boost — the possibilities are endless!
