Yesterday at the grocery store, I walked up to the berry section thinking I would just grab one box of strawberries and one box of blueberries. Each were on sale for $2.
Woot!
But as I looked down, I noticed a bunch of the strawberry boxes with 10/$10 stickers on them. I grabbed 6 boxes and knew that I’d spend some time yesterday afternoon getting some into the freezer…both whole and cut into “muffin size” pieces. I did about 4 boxes worth as whole strawberries to use for Strawberry Smoothies, and I cut up 2 boxes worth into smaller bits to use later for for muffins and to make homemade strawberry pancake syrup or mix into pancakes.
Here’s how it went down.
First, wash and pat dry. It’s important to dry them well, to reduce potential for freezer burn and extra water crystals after your freeze them.
To flash freeze whole strawberries for smoothies, cut off the stem.
Lay on their sides on a rimmed baking sheet.
Place in the freezer for 20 minutes or so. (If you leave them in longer, that’s fine!)
Remove from the freezer and scoop off the sheet. Use a spatula if any are stubborn and had the chance to freeze to the sheet.
Place whole, frozen strawberries in a plastic storage container or plastic freezer baggies.
For the cut pieces, place them in a plastic freezer baggie and press them flat.
Seal and remove as much air as you can.
Freeze and use for pancakes or muffins.
And you’ll be left wit this this. This is how to remove the strawberry juice stains! See my Cleaning Your Stained Cutting Boards kitchen shortcut tip!
Note: Once the strawberries are frozen, they will not have their same shape or texture. That’s why they must be used in smoothies or for baking.
A couple of my favorite recipes to use up the frozen strawberries:
- Strawberry Sorbet
- Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal
- No Sugar Strawberry Freezer Jam
- Spiced Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
- Whole Wheat Banana Strawberry Crumb Muffins
- Banana Strawberry Peach Smoothies
- Fruit Smoothie Popsicles
Do you have a favorite recipes that can use frozen strawberries? Please share in the comments below!
Candi says
I just went to H-Mart yesterday and they had them for $.99 per pkg. I bought 6 and froze them too! Can’t beat that price!!!
Maribeth says
To clean the cutting board, if Clorox kitchen doesn’t do it, use a Magic Eraser or generic equivalent and then use the Clorox kitchen again. That “should” work!! : )
Frayda says
Now we are just waiting for your strawberry muffin recipe!
Tara Hargrave says
I know. I have been looking for it too.
krupa says
i hate when my cutting boards get stained. I got some of those bendable ones from ikea. It was two big size ones for $1. I use one to cut anything that will stain and another for meat. I just throw them out every 3 months and buy new ones.
Marina says
We keep our blueberries and occassionally strawberries (cut small) in the freezer and throw them in cereal!
Tammy says
You can freeze pineapple too! I just bought 3 at ALdis for 99 cents each! Love it!
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
Nice Tammy!
Christy says
What’s your recipe for strawberry muffins?
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
It’s coming Christy! Hopefully Wed or Thurs!
Food on the Table says
Aha! Finally! A cure for the ever-turning-brown-faster-than-you-can-boil-water pack of fresh strawberries.
Looking forward to your strawberry muffin recipe!
connie says
Rubbing a wooden cutting board with lemon slices helps to disinfect it- and in this case, sprinkling it with baking soda and then rubbing with a lemon should remove some of the staining without exposing future foods to cleaner residue! Mmmm… now I want strawberries!
Sarah says
When I really want to clean my wooden cutting boards , I make a salt and water paste with Kosher salt and rub it into the cutting board, and leave it for 5-10 mins and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
Thanks for the tip Sarah! I plan to include it in a post soon!
Quality Office Furniture says
I can’t wait to try out your freezing tip, and then use them for your strawberry muffins! Thanks for sharing.
Kim says
is it a good idea to use one of those food vacuum machines and bags to put strawberries in?
Rachel R. says
Thanks for the tutorial. I stocked up on the last of fresh organic strawberries for the season at the farmer’s market and need to freeze most of them.
Elpie says
I am going to try it. Hate to waste good fruits.
Jen says
I can’t wait to freeze my strawberries. It is just one step closer towards making more of your absolutely, beautifully, delicious recipes. I’m such a fan. My family went from riches to rags, with no chance of ever climbing back up (due to illness). We didn’t know how to feed our family anymore. We were eating breakfast 4 nights/week – and I mean cereal, and barely affording that. I somehow found you — I don’t recall how — and suddenly I found HEALTHY, REAL MEALS I could feed my family, and I’m so happy. My poor daughter, who’d gained almost 100 pounds from such unhealthy (aka “cheap”) eating, due to our sudden lifestyle, is now losing the weight EFFORTLESSLY! I mean it; she does nothing but live and eat YOUR healthy meals. THANK YOU!
Barb says
I just found a recipe for a strawberry banana smoothie (using non-fat vanilla yogurt) and it is delicious. So have been running to the store every couple days for strawberries. I figured there had to be a way to freeze them. I measured out one cup and it fit perfectly into a snack ziplock baggie. I was able to get 6 of them and then put them in a bigger freezer bag. Now…how to freeze bananas! LOL!
Cammie says
Freeze bananas with their skin. Whenever I have 1 or 2 bananas that ripened and I know no ones going to eat, I throw them in a plastic zip lock bag and into the freezer they go. I use them in banana bread or cakes and also smoothies.
Alison says
My favorite trick to removing berry stains is to pour boiling water in them. Get the tea kettle going, and pour on the stain. Works like magic, disappears before your eyes.
Gloria Burden says
Does anyone have a recipe for Strawberry pie using frozen strawberries ??
Mishelly says
What is the best way to defrost whole strawberries
Jenn K says
All berries can be defrosted on the counter in a bowl or in the fridge overnight. Keep in mind that berries do not stay firm after being frozen so it’s recommended to always use them in a recipe that doesn’t require them to be firm like smoothies, muffins, pancake syrups etc.
Sue says
Fresh strawberries last longer if you rinse them, remove the stems, and use sugar on them. Store them in the refrigerator unless you plan to freeze them whole. To freeze whole, rinse, put on parchment paper on a cookie sheet, and cover with plastic wrap or foil. They will freeze quickly. Bag them as soon as they seem frozen. Don’t leave them unbagged for more than a few hours. They will toughen. Remember that freezers remove moisture from uncovered fruit or vegetables. If you plan to use the berries in smoothies or in baking, Cut in quarters or slice them, add a little more sugar, and store in ZipLok bags. I put the bags on a cookie sheet, flatten making sure all air is removed, and put them in the freezer on the tray. These are great for use with ice cream sundaes or in smoothies. Just take the bag out, thaw on the counter, and use.