Strawberries are one of the fruits you regularly look forward to during spring. Because of this, you may find yourself getting or picking way more than you need. Then you begin to look for ways to prevent them from going bad. You start to wonder if you can freeze your fresh strawberry.
The good news is that you can freeze strawberries to prolong their storage duration. However, the best way to enjoy your strawberries is by eating them freshly picked. If you realize you have too many and can’t eat them all, you can preserve them for a couple more days.
Keep reading to find out more about freezing your strawberries to preserve them. You will also learn how to freeze your strawberries and how long you can leave them in the refrigerator.
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Can You Freeze Fresh Strawberry?
Luckily for you, strawberries are freezer-safe, meaning that you can keep them in a freezer to preserve them. Although freezing them can cause them to become softer, you will still enjoy the awesome taste and flavor of your strawberries.
It is no longer news that strawberries go bad quickly when not stored properly. Strawberries are easy to freeze and can last in a freezer for months without going bad. You can freeze them whole or sliced, with or without sugar depending on your preference.
To get the best result, ensure that you freeze your strawberries while they are still firm and fresh.
Why Should You Freeze Fresh Strawberry?
You should freeze your fresh strawberries as that is the number one way to keep them from going bad. Freezing your strawberries will prevent them from wasting and allow you to enjoy them for a longer period.
How to Freeze Fresh Strawberry
First step: Wash the strawberries gently in clean water to remove dirt from them. Pick through it and take out any squishy berries you find.
Second step: Dry out the berries before freezing them. Do this by spreading them out on a clean towel till they dry up completely.
Third step: Hull the berries before freezing them. Do this by cutting around the stem to remove it along with the bit under the berries. Likewise, you can cut across the top if you don’t have much time to cut around.
Fourth step: Arrange the berries on a baking sheet. Ensure that you use a single layer of a baking sheet with parchment lines.
Fifth step: Place the berries into the freezer and allow them to freeze overnight.
Sixth step: Transfer the frozen berries into a silicon freezer bag and label it with the time and date. Labeling the bag is important to help you keep track of how long the fruit has been in the freezer.
Additional tips:
- Only use freshly ripe strawberries. The overripe ones will get mushy and you won’t like them when you defrost them.
- Be sure to freeze the berries in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to the containers or freezer bags.
- Skipping the baking sheet freezing step will cause the berries to defrost unevenly and become mushy.
- Ensure that you wash the dirt off your strawberries before freezing them. Freezing strawberries without washing them first can transfer bacteria to them and cause them to grow mold.
SEE: Can You Freeze Pineapple and Still Have It Taste Good?
How Long Can You Freeze Fresh Strawberry?
You can keep frozen strawberries in a freezer for 12 months to prevent them from going bad. But it is important to know that the longer you keep your berries in the freezer, the more likely they are to experience freezer burn.
If you will eat your berries within two to three days, you can store them in a refrigerator instead to keep them fresh. If you won’t eat them anytime soon, you can freeze them instead. According to the FDA, frozen strawberries can last for up to 8 and 12 months.
How to Defrost Strawberries
The defrosting process of frozen strawberries is quite easy. All you need to do is place the freezer bag or container into a refrigerator and wait till they are thawed. Another way you can defrost your frozen strawberries is by letting them sit at room temperature.
You can also defrost frozen strawberries by placing the container or freezer bag in some cold water. If you don’t mind them becoming juicy, you can thaw your strawberries in a microwave as well.
Can you freeze fresh strawberry pie?
Even though it’s best to enjoy your strawberry pie while it’s fresh, you can freeze it to save it for later. If you need to freeze the fresh strawberry pie, wrap it up nicely and tightly in a plastic bag and again in a foil before placing it in the freezer.
If you will eat it in a day or two, you can store it in a refrigerator instead. But if you would like to keep your strawberry pie for as long as 2 months, you can store it in a freezer.
SEE: Can You Freeze an Apple Pie?
Can you freeze fresh strawberry cake?
You can freeze fresh strawberry cake once it is baked and cooled completely. Ensure that you wrap it tightly in a plastic wrap and a baking sheet before placing it in a freezer.
To keep your cake as fresh as possible, you can store it in a cake box or an airtight plastic cake container. To prevent the cake from getting mushy when it’s time to defrost, ensure that you place the cake far back in your freezer.
Placing the strawberry cake in the front space can cause it to form ice crystals as the temperature fluctuates. You can store your strawberry cake for up to two months in a freezer.
Can you freeze fresh strawberry puree?
You can freeze the strawberry puree in a freezer to keep it safe and prevent it from going bad. You can store your strawberry puree in a freezer for as long as 3 months. Simply place the puree in a small freezer bag and place them in a freezer or freeze them in ice cubes.
Even though the taste is likely to degrade after 3 months, the frozen strawberry puree can last for a longer period. If you need to use some of the frozen purees, simply place them in the refrigerator for about 60 seconds and it’s done.
SEE: Can You Freeze Egg Salad?
FAQs
Is it better to freeze strawberries whole or sliced?
Either one is good, depending on what you plan to use your strawberries for. To make smoothies from your strawberries, it’s best to freeze them whole. However, if you intend to use the berries for crisps or pies, you should stick to freezing your berries sliced.
Should you wash strawberries before freezing them?
Yes, you should. For your organic or conventionally grown strawberries, you have to wash your strawberries before freezing them.
Wash the berries in cold water gently to remove any form of dirt from them before freezing. Freezing strawberries with dirt can cause mold to form on them while in the freezer.
Do you need to thaw frozen strawberries before using them?
No, you don’t. Except what you want to use the berries for requires you to thaw them, you don’t have to.
If you plan to use strawberries to make smoothies or baked goods, you don’t need to thaw them before using them. Just add them straight to the mix while they are still frozen. However, if you plan to serve them in a meal or breakfast like oats and parfait, you have to thaw them the night before.
Conclusion
You can freeze fresh strawberries if you have more than enough and you can’t finish them within two to three days. Freezing your strawberries will help to prevent them from going bad. Frozen strawberries can last for as long as 8 to 12 months.
You can also freeze your strawberry dishes and baked goods like strawberry cake, strawberry pie, and strawberry sauce to keep them good for a long time. Always remember to wash your strawberries before freezing them.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Cheffist for more preservative measures you can use to keep your fruit and foods safe.
