If you ever wondered how to freeze strawberries so you can savor that sweet summer flavor all year long…..now you can and it’s easier to do than you think. Freezing fresh strawberries takes just a few minutes to prep and you can use as many or as few as you like for smoothies, salads and other fun recipes.

Fresh strawberries on a marble background


How To Freeze Strawberries

It’s high strawberry season here right now…the time of year when I would actually pass over a slice of chocolate cake for a pile of fresh strawberries. They’re so amazing to pop in your mouth still warm from the summer sun.

Busting at the seams with juicy strawberry goodness, it makes me already a little sad to know this season is fleeting. Gone in just a few short weeks, we’ll be back to eating the grocery store berries that are not quite as juicy and sweet and totally knee-buckling in the best sense of the phrase.

I like to buy up ALL the strawberries I can right now so I can freeze them to enjoy all year long. There’s nothing better than a bowl full of summer berries in the dead of winter to perk up a dreary, damp gray day. Can you tell I don’t miss winter….at all?

Frozen strawberries on a baking sheet.

My whole family loves to toss a few fresh strawberries into their morning yogurt or blend them up into a fresh strawberry smoothie. We also like to add them to these easy Smoothie Freezer Packs for quick breakfasts during the school year…..yeah, that’s coming soon, too.

We also like to freeze strawberries individually so we can just grab what we need instead of having to chisel apart a big clump of frozen strawberries to use in recipes. This method is the BEST way to freeze fresh strawberries and they will last, almost, forever in the freezer.

strawberries in a strainer with water running over them.

How to Prepare Strawberries for Freezing

It’s so simple to prepare your fresh strawberries to freeze and really only takes just a few minutes. I’ve seen recipes where the strawberries are dipped into something to help preserve the flavor but I just freeze my strawberries without any extras and they last for months.

  1. Rinse your fresh strawberries with cold water.
  2. Drain and pat the strawberries dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  3. Hull the strawberries and arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
  4. Freeze the berries for 2-3 hours or until frozen.
  5. Transfer to a freezer safe container, zip top freezer bag or my favorite silicone zip top bags.
  6. Store in the freezer for up to 12 months.
Strawberries being dried on a blue kitchen towel.

Can you freeze strawberries and then thaw them?

You absolutely can freeze strawberries and thaw them for your favorite recipes. But frozen and thawed strawberries will lose their firmness after thawing. They will, also, look a bit darker than fresh berries but the flavor will be just as sweet and juicy.

To thaw your frozen strawberries, simply remove the quantity you need from the freezer and allow to thaw in a strainer for 5-10 minutes. Or you can run under warm water until thawed which will only take a few seconds.

Strawberries with the tops cut off on a blue kitchen towel.

Do I need to wash my strawberries before I freeze them?

Yes, it’s highly recommended that you wash your berries before you freeze them. If you don’t, any dirt that’s on the strawberries will be frozen to the berry making it very difficult to remove before using.

Fresh strawberries arranged on a baking sheet for freezing.

How long do frozen strawberries last?

Once your strawberries are frozen, they will last in the freezer for up to 12 months. Just in time for strawberry season to roll around again.

Frozen strawberries arranged on a baking sheet.

So, be sure to go stock up on those strawberries right now because before you know it….we’ll be making Christmas cookies and hot cocoa. But seriously, run to the nearest farmer’s market and grab a few pints of fresh strawberries….make some whipped cream and go to town on the bowl of nature’s goodness. AKA….dessert.

Frozen strawberries in a silicone freezer bag.

Easy Strawberry Recipes

Slice of strawberry pie with cream cheese on a white plate.

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Get the Recipe: How to Freeze Strawberries

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Easy method for freezing fresh strawberries to store in the freezer for months.
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Ingredients

  • 5 lbs fresh strawberries

Equipment

  • freezer

Instructions 

  • Gently wash the strawberries in a mesh strainer under cold running water picking out and discarding any overriped or squishy berries. Drain.
  • Using a clean kitchen towel, pat the strawberries to remove most of the water and then arrange in a single layer to dry for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Hull the strawberries with a sharp paring knife by cutting around the stem in a circular motion to remove the stem end. Discard the stem.
  • Arrange the strawberries stem side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Be sure to arrange in a single layer.
  • Freeze the strawberries for 3-4 hours or overnight until the berries are frozen.
  • Transfer the strawberries to a freezer bag or other freezer safe container and store in the freezer for up to 12 months.

Notes

Strawberries can be frozen for up to 12 months.
Calories: 60kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 289mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 25IU, Vitamin C: 111.1mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 0.8mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American