Make the most of a sale or freshly picked berries whenever you can by stashing them into the freezer. Learn how to freeze strawberries with about 5 minutes of work to preserve your berries for smoothies, muffins, bread, or any other favorite recipe.

sliced-strawberries-in-bag

How to Freeze Strawberries

There is usually a certain time in the late spring and early summer when strawberries are available for so much less than through the rest of the year. During those weeks, it can really pay to stock up and stash them in the freezer for future use since they are often less expensive than buying frozen strawberries from the freezer aisle.

And, if you ever go strawberry picking and need a way to preserve them before they could go bad, freezing them is the fastest and easiest method.

Throughout the year, there are also always times when we buy fresh strawberries and don’t eat them all before they’re about to go bad—toddler preferences can change so fast!—and freezing them is a simple way to ensure they don’t go to waste.

strawberries-in-clamshell-container

Ingredients You Need

You really just need fresh berries, from the supermarket, farmer’s market, or a farm, and a zip-top freezer bag. You can use a plastic freezer bag or a reusable one like the kind from Stasher.

Oh and a colander and a towel to get them prepped for the freezer.

TIP: You can use conventional or organic. Both work!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a quick look at the overview of freezing these berries. Scroll down to the full recipe for more specifics.

how-to-freeze-strawberries-step-by-step
  1. Wash your berries.
  2. Dry your berries by patting gently with a clean towel. You can also let them sit on the towel for an hour or so to thoroughly dry.
  3. Remove the stems and discard. Slice the berries if they’re large.
  4. Add to a bag and press flat to remove as much air as possible. Seal and freeze.

TIP: Pressing the berries into a flat layer helps prevent them from freezing together, which means they are easier to use in future recipes.

frozen-sliced-strawberries-in-freezer-bag

What can I use frozen strawberries in?

Here are a few of my favorite recipes for using frozen strawberries. (To use them in recipes including muffins and quick breads, dice the frozen berries with kitchen scissors so the pieces of berries in the final recipe aren’t too large.)

Healthy Strawberry Muffins
With fresh berries and a burst of lemon, these healthy Strawberry Muffins are a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack to share with the kids.
Get the recipe
healthy strawberry muffins on cooling rack.
Favorite Strawberry Milk
Creamy and delicious, you can make this with fresh strawberries or freeze-dried ones. The version with freeze-dried berries tastes more similar to store-bought strawberry milk; the one with fresh berries tastes more like fresh strawberries!
Get the recipe
strawberry-milk-in-two-cups-with-straws
Strawberry Smoothie with Yogurt
You can use fresh or frozen berries in this simple Strawberry Smoothie and the results will have a texture that is similar to drinkable yogurt. To make it thicker and to try different flavor options, see the Notes at the end of the recipe.
Get the recipe
strawberry-smoothie-in-jar-and-cups
Easy Strawberry Applesauce
You can use any type of apple you like in this recipe.
Get the recipe
strawberry applesauce in white bowls
How to Make Oatmeal with Fruit
The base recipe makes a large amount so you can use it throughout the week. Feel free to cut it in half to make less, or just make one serving at a time using the instructions in the NOTES section below.
Get the recipe
oatmeal-with-fruit-in-kids-bowls
Fresh Strawberry Puree
This simple puree is no-cook, so be sure to start with great-tasting berries. It's a perfect fruit puree for a baby, or a delicious way to add flavor to yogurt and oatmeal for all members of the family. (It's also great with ice cream and waffles!)
Get the recipe
strawberry puree in white bowl with berries.
Easy Strawberry Banana Bread
Bursting with fruit and the moistness you expect from a classic loaf, this lower-sugar Strawberry Banana Bread is a seriously delicious breakfast or snack to share with the kids.
Get the recipe
strawberry-banana-bread-in-loaf-pan

Best Tips for Freezing Strawberries

  • Try to dry the berries thoroughly to reduce the amount of ice that freezes on them.
  • Remove the stem before slicing.
  • Roughly slicing them makes them more versatile in recipes, but if you just plan to use them in smoothies, you can simply cut off the stem and freeze without slicing them. Then just pop the whole berries into your blender.
  • To use frozen strawberries in baked goods like muffins or breads, you can quickly cut them smaller if needed with a pair of kitchen scissors.
  • You can freeze a whole container or just a few at a time if they start to go bad faster than you can use them fresh.
  • You’ll want to remove as much air as possible and lay them flat to freeze. This will prevent the berries from freezing into one giant clump and will make it easy for you to break them apart and measure them out for recipes.

Related Recipes


If you try this method or you do your berries a different way, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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sliced-strawberries-in-bag

How to Freeze Strawberries

You can do a whole container at once or simply freeze a few at a time if they start going bad before you can use them fresh. Use these in smoothies, muffins, breads, oatmeal, or other favorite strawberry recipes.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Snack
Calories 36kcal
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces strawberries or more or less as you like

Instructions

  • Place the berries into a colander. Rinse well.
  • Place onto a clean kitchen towel and pat dry. The dryer they are, the less ice will form on the berries. (It’s okay if some ice forms though!)
  • Remove the stem and slice into halves or thirds.
  • Place into a zip top freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal.
  • Lay flat to freeze in the freezer for at least 4 hours and up to 1 year.

Notes

  • Try to dry the berries thoroughly to reduce the amount of ice that freezes on them.
  • Remove the stem before slicing.
  • Roughly slicing them makes them more versatile in recipes, but if you just plan to use them in smoothies, you can simply cut off the stem and freeze without slicing them. Then just pop the whole berries into your blender.
  • To use frozen strawberries in baked goods like muffins or breads, you can quickly cut them smaller if needed with a pair of kitchen scissors.
  • You can freeze a whole container or just a few at a time if they start to go bad faster than you can use them fresh.
  • You’ll want to remove as much air as possible and lay them flat to freeze. This will prevent the berries from freezing into one giant clump and will make it easy for you to break them apart and measure them out for recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 36kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 174mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 14IU, Vitamin C: 67mg, Calcium: 18mg, Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

This post was first published June 2020.

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Comments

  1. Hi, I am wondering if freezer bags are BPA free. I have silicone Stasher brand bags that work well but are pricey.

    Thank you for your practical ideas. I hope to freeze berries after we go to the orchards this summer.