There's nothing like a bowl of fresh, sweet strawberries! And come May, you can find the ripe fruit at your local berry patch or farmers' markets—or you might even grow strawberries in your own backyard! Heck, you can find pints of strawberries available year-round at the grocery store. And while we're often putting the sweet berries to good use in our favorite strawberry recipes, sometimes we just wind up with too many strawberries. (If that’s possible! 😂). In those cases, knowing how to freeze strawberries will come in handy! After all, the only thing better than a fresh strawberry pie in summer, is getting a taste of strawberries at their peak throughout the year!
Ahead, we explain how to freeze strawberries so that you can enjoy your favorite strawberry desserts anytime. Keep in mind, though, that frozen strawberries won't have quite the same texture as fresh ones once they're thawed, so your best bet is to use them in smoothies, sauces, or other recipes. That said, traditional fruit desserts aren't off the table entirely! We've got plenty of no-bake desserts for which you can swap in frozen berries. You can also use frozen strawberries in place of ice in your favorite drinks—drop some into a glass of lemonade, for instance!
What is the best way to freeze strawberries?
Start by prepping the berries.
Thoroughly wash and dry your strawberries, then hull them by inserting a paring knife into the stem end and cutting in a small circle to carefully remove the leafy greens.
Next, slice them!
You can slice them in half, quarter them, or thickly slice them. (This is up to you depending on how you plan to use the berries later.) They'll be difficult to slice once they're frozen, so only freeze them whole if you plan to use them whole (like if you're adding them to smoothies or something similar).
Finally, you're ready to freeze them.
Place the sliced berries on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer (make sure none of them are touching). Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze until the berries are fully hardened, about three hours. Remove the strawberries from the parchment and transfer them to resealable freezer bags and immediately return to the freezer. Repeat this process for any more berries you plan to freeze.
Is it better to freeze strawberries whole or sliced?
You can technically do either, but it's a good idea to slice or at least halve the strawberries before you freeze them so they are easier to work with when you eventually use them. And no matter what you do, be sure to remove the green stems before freezing.
Do strawberries get mushy after freezing?
The Pioneer Woman Melamine Bowl and Colander Set
The Pioneer Woman Melamine Bowl and Colander Set
Frozen strawberries will never be the same as fresh, ripe ones, but they can be used for any recipe where they're blended or mashed. (Strawberry daiquiris, anyone?) In general, frozen strawberries tend to be softer and slightly mushier than fresh strawberries once they're thawed, but to get the best texture possible, avoid using overripe strawberries, dry your strawberries thoroughly after washing them to prevent too much moisture, and be sure to freeze your berries in a single layer first to avoid big clumps.
How do you store strawberries in the freezer?
If you're wondering how to store strawberries in the freezer, here's a tip: it's different than fresh ones. Follow all of the steps above, then freeze the strawberries until you're ready to use them. They'll be good for months—even up to a year!
