Best Way to Freeze Fresh Strawberries for Use Year Round

As the weather starts to warm up, it's hard not to get excited about all of the delicious fruits and vegetables that are in season. One of my favorite springtime treats is strawberries. Not only are they sweet and juicy, but they're also packed with nutritional value.

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However, when fall and winter come around, having fresh strawberries becomes a challenge. Sure you can buy them from the store, but they don't have the same flavor they have when picked in season and fresh.

Maybe you are asking yourself how can I have strawberries year round? Can I freeze strawberries? You can! We know best way to freeze fresh strawberries for use year round. And you can use them in smoothies, muffins, yogurt bowls and pancakes.

Plus, they make great snacks all on their own. Our kids LOVE to grab them out of the freeze just to snack on while they play outside or when they get home from school.

But is it really easy to freeze strawberries? Will they taste the same? How about texture? Let's answer some of those burning questions about freezing strawberries.

Can I freeze strawberries in plastic bags?

Yes, you can freeze strawberries in Ziploc bags. First, wash the strawberries and remove the stems. Be sure to remove as much air from the bag as possible before freezing. The strawberries will keep for up to six months in the freezer.

Do you wash strawberries before you freeze them?

Yes! Wash strawberries before you freeze them. This will remove dirt and debris and help keep them fresher longer.

Is it better to freeze strawberries whole or cut?

When it comes to freezing strawberries, there is no right or wrong answer. It all depends on your personal preferences and how you plan to use the frozen berries.

If you want to be able to pop a few berries into your mouth for a quick snack, then freezing them whole is the way to go. However, if you plan to use the berries in smoothies or baking recipes, then cutting them up first will make things a lot easier.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether to freeze your strawberries whole or cut them up.

Let's walk you through the steps on how easy it is to freeze strawberries.

Best Way to Freeze Fresh Strawberries

Step 1: Choose the right container

Start by deciding what type of container you want to store your strawberries. You can use anything from plastic freezer bags to mason jars. However, when freezing, make sure to consider how much space you have in your freezer.

We typically like to use quart or gallon size freezer bags. This is because they can be laid flat or shuffled around with less effort than bowls or square containers.

Step 2: Wash and hull the strawberries

Take time to wash strawberries. Typically rinsing them in a colander works great. Use a knife or a strawberry huller to take out the stem and the surrounding flesh.

Hulling helps preserve the fruit's flavor and texture. Finally, it's a good idea to hull strawberries before freezing them, as this will help them retain their shape when they thaw.

Step 3: Place on Parchment Paper

Next, place the whole strawberries onto a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Space them enough to allow for freezing.

If you prefer to slice your strawberries into quarters, now is the time to do that. Slice them and place them on the cookie sheet.

Step 4: Freeze the strawberries

Now the secret. The best way to freeze fresh strawberries. Place the entire cookie sheet into the freezer to "flash freeze" your strawberries. This can take anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours. This method quickly freezes the strawberries without them getting stuck together or getting mushy.

Once the strawberries are frozen, remove the cookie sheet from the freezer.

Step 5: Label container and fill with strawberries

Finally, label your container with a permanent marker or printable canning labels. Make sure to include what you are freezing and the month and date they were frozen. This way you use the oldest items first to ensure the best freshness and nutrients.

Place the frozen strawberries into the containers. Place containers in the freezer for use over the next 6 to 12 months.

Now don't forget to log how many bags of strawberries you froze in your canning journal.  That way you always know how much you have in your freezer and when you need more.

Now you have fresh strawberries you can grab anytime to make yummy recipes including Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles.