How to Store Strawberries

Learn the best way to store strawberries to ensure you get to enjoy the berries you buy before they spoil. Plus, tips on freezing strawberries and using them up, too.

How to Store Strawberries

Berries are notorious for spoiling really quickly, which makes sense given they are delicate fruits. But there are easy ways to store them that can help extend their life and give you and your family the chance to eat them all before they start to spoil.

We’ll cover the best ways to store berries, whether to wash before storing, how to freeze strawberries, and favorite strawberry recipes to share with the kids.

These tips work for any type of strawberries, though remember that fresh, local berries are usually even more delicate. So use extra care when storing that type of berry.

Ingredients You Need

To store your strawberries, all you need is your berries and containers. You have the option to soak and rinse them in water and white vinegar before storing if you’d like to get them extra clean.

Containers You Need

You can use any type of storage container you prefer, though the berries will last the longest in a container with a tight-fitting lid.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in storing strawberries.

1. Option 1: Transfer your berries to a container lined with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel in single layers. If you can fit two or more layers in your container, put paper towel or towel between the berries. Cover with a lid and refrigerate. Rinse right before serving.
2. Option 2: Transfer the berries to a big bowl with a 1:3 mixture of white vinegar and water. Stir gently with your hands to help dislodge any dirt from the berries. Transfer to a container lined with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel and let dry by sitting at room temperature for an hour, or you can pat gently to dry. Cover and refrigerate.

How to Freeze Strawberries

This is my favorite method to freeze strawberries: Wash, dry, and remove the stems. Slice if desired and add to a zip-top freezer bag. Press into one layer, remove as much air as you can, and seal.

Favorite Strawberry Recipes

Once you have your berries in the fridge, you can of course just eat them. But you can also use them in any of the delicious recipes below.

Favorite Strawberry Overnight Oats

This recipe makes enough for one adult or for one adult and one small child serving. It's easy to double, so make more as needed!

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Healthy Strawberry Muffins

I love the burst of flavor that the fresh lemon adds to this recipe, so it's worth adding that ingredient if you can. These can be served at room temperature or slightly warmed according to your preference.

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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.

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Oven-Dried Strawberries

You can do two baking sheets at once to get a slightly larger batch—definitely do this if you’re making these for more than one kiddo! Just be sure to swap the positions of the pans halfway through baking to ensure that they bake evenly.

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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.

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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!)

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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!

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Related Recipes

Recipes

Favorite Strawberry Yogurt

Preserving

How to Freeze Blueberries

Advice

How to Store Produce (So It Lasts)

Snacks

Easy Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt

Best Tips for Success

• You can follow these tips for how to store strawberries and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• Line your containers with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
• Make sure to remove any berries that are already moldy when transferring them from the container.
• Be very gentle with local, fresh berries as they are often very delicate.

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