How to Freeze Strawberries {why you should}

It’s strawberry season!  I am so in love with fresh berries!  Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, you name it.  So many delicious things can be created with berries.  Of course they are fabulous on their own too.  Today, I’m talking about how to freeze strawberries.

How To Freeze Strawberries

We eat boatloads of fresh berries when they are in season.  There’s just nothing quite like fresh picked local fruit.  I bought 2 flats of strawberries.  One to freeze, and one to eat.  And we’re not done.  That’s the thing here in Michigan, you’ve just got to savor the season because it’s so short.  Sure, I can buy strawberries in the grocery store, in December, but the flavor, it’s just not the same.

Of course there is the pick your own option, which is so much more economical!  I’m just at a stage of life where purchasing is what works best for me.  I do enjoy picking my own, but managing the kids at the same time… well, ya probably know or can imagine.  Sometimes convenience wins.

Freezing strawberries will give you that same amazing fresh picked flavor when it’s out of season.  A taste of summer anytime of the year!

I’m sharing two different ways on how to freeze strawberries.  So pick the one that works best for you.

Option 1:

• Rinse the berries well.
• hull or cut off the stems.  Some people like to poke out the stems with a straw.  Some like to use a fancy strawberry huller.  I tend to just use a knife.  I think the hullers are great though if you have kids, and it does take that stem out pretty perfectly.
• Dry the berries well.  To do this, lay them out on paper towel lined baking trays.  You can use actual towels too if you’re more the re-use type.  But, they will turn pink.  🙂  Let them air dry until there is no more moisture on them.
• Line some baking trays with wax paper and place the dried strawberries on top.  They can be close, but shouldn’t be touching each other.
• Place in the freezer for a few hours, or overnight (this is called flash freezing).  Basically, until they are frozen. Then you can transfer them into ziplock bags, and wa-lah!  You are ready to go!

Option 2:

• Start by hulling the berries
• Flash freeze them
• bag them up.  Before you use them, you wash/rinse them at that time.

The method you choose is really personal choice.  Option #2 is really more of a time saver.  It’s pretty quick to rinse your berries just before you use them.  It may depend on how you plan to use them on whether or not you choose this option.

15 Awesome Ways To Use Frozen Strawberries

1. Smoothies
2. Make ahead parfaits
3. Milkshakes
4. Fruit Cobbler/Crisp  
5. Syrup for pancakes
6.  Ice Cream topping
7. Trifle
8. Infused water
9. Popcicles
10. Strawberry Lemonade  
11. Strawberry Ice Cream/Sherbet  
12. Oatmeal/Overnight Oats  
13. Flavored ice cubes
14. Muffins/baked goods
15. Berry butter

How do you use frozen strawberries?

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How to Freeze Strawberries {why you should}

how to freeze strawberries to enjoy the fresh flavor all year long!

Author Chellie

Ingredients

• 1 flat fresh strawberries or as many as desired

Instructions

1. Wash and hull strawberries.
2. Lay out to dry on paper towels.
3. Line baking sheets with waxed paper and place dried strawberries on pans. They should be close, but not touching.
4. Place in the freezer until frozen.
5. Bag and use all year long.

Recipe Notes

Optional~ You can freeze the berries without washing first, and rinse them just before use. This saves time, but it may depend on how you use them.