Freezing Fresh Strawberries (a Simple How-To)

The best and simplest method for freezing fresh strawberries so you can enjoy fresh produce all year long. Use them in any of your favorite strawberry recipes.

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baking sheet of whole frozen strawberries

If canning is overwhelming, you’ll love this simple process. The strawberries will last for up to six months in the freezer, so you can enjoy strawberry season all year long.

Use your frozen berries in smoothies, strawberry shortcake, pies, and anything else you can think of.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

All you need are strawberries!

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Equipment

Baking Sheet
Parchment paper
Small knife

Ingredients

fresh whole strawberries

If you’d like to double or triple this recipe, you can make adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Freeze Fresh Strawberries

Step One: Prep The Fruit

Prepare the strawberries before freezing, taking care to wash and dry them gently. Let them air dry on a clean towel. If you flash freeze them when they’re wet, you’ll get ice crystals. Use a small paring knife to remove the stems and green tops from the strawberries.

Step Two: Flash Freeze

Freeze the strawberries on a large baking sheet until firm. Spread the whole berries in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Before proceeding, the berries must be frozen solid. They should make a sound when knocking into each other.

Step Three: Place In Freezer Bag

Place into a gallon-sized freezer bag (try to get them flat to maximize space). Gently push out any extra air using the top of the bag. Suck out any trapped air by inserting a straw into the zip end and removing as much air as possible. The more you can remove, the less freezer burn your strawberries will have.

2 gallon sized freezer bags full of strawberries

Storage & How to Use Frozen Strawberries

They can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.

When you’re ready to use them, they can be thawed in the fridge overnight or in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes.

Use in smoothies, pies, muffins, or cakes.

Add to a blender with bananas and yogurt for a delicious breakfast smoothie.
Use them to make a strawberry syrup that’s perfect for drinks like strawberry sweet tea.
These are perfect for making a cranberry strawberry cobbler.

Questions and Troubleshooting

Can I just wash and freeze the strawberries without taking the hulls off?

It’s not a good idea to freeze strawberries with the hulls on. The water in the green stem and hulls will cause freezer burn. And it will be annoying to remove them before eating.

Will the strawberries taste as good after being frozen?

Yes! Frozen strawberries are a great way to enjoy out-of-season berries.

What is the best way to thaw frozen strawberries?

Simply place them in the fridge overnight and they’ll be thawed and ready to eat in the morning. If you’re in a hurry, you can place them in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes.

Chewy oven dried strawberries are another great way to preserve strawberries without canning.
Have you ever tried pickled strawberries? They taste great on a grilled cheese!
Learn to can and make old-fashioned strawberry preserves!
This strawberry breakfast bread uses fresh strawberries and makes a delicious breakfast!