Did you know that you can buy Strawberries when they are on sale and freeze them to use all year long? Check out these simple tips on how to freeze strawberries.
Strawberry Season is fast approaching and one of the ways you can eat healthy and save money all year is to buy fresh strawberries in bulk when they are cheaper and freeze them.
Here is an example of how I save money stocking up. This past winter, I found a great deal on strawberries at my local hometown market. There had been an ordering error and they had more strawberries then they could store so they were were selling deeply discounted strawberries.
I was able to pick up 3 flats of strawberries for less than $25…that’s a STEAL in the winter where everyone was selling them for $4.99 a pack. With Farmers Markets and roadside farm stands getting ready to open, fresh strawberries will be readily available and with a little preparation you can snag great deals and large quantities that you will be able to use all winter long.
It is really easy to prepare your strawberries for freezing, but it can be a bit time consuming but it is so worth it in the end! You will be so happy you made the effort to freeze strawberries when in February everyone else is overpaying for bland strawberries at the grocery store!
How to Freeze Strawberries
Step 1: Wash your strawberries and remove the green leafy stems. Cut the strawberries into halves or quarters.
Step 2: Spread your cut strawberries out in a single layer on to a baking pan. This will keep your strawberries from becoming a hard clump in the freezer. By freezing them individually you will be able to take out just what you need for your recipes in the future. Flash freeze the strawberries for about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Take partially frozen strawberries out of the freezer and put them in freezer safe Ziploc bags.
Step 4: Enjoy them all year long!
Everyone always wants to know if it will change the texture of the strawberries and the answer is yes. Once frozen the strawberries will soften and will be more like the consistency of the strawberries in strawberry shortcake. They will still taste great however, and you will be able to use them without any issues in strawberry milk, smoothies and baked goods like Strawberry Breakfast Bars. Wondering how to freeze other food items? Check my tips here.
Chef’n StemGem Strawberry HullerKuhn Rikon Strawberry Knife Colori
KUKPO EASY GRIP – 5-Quart Stainless Steel Colander – Strainer For Pasta, Noodles, Orzo, Vegetables & Fruits – Heat Resistant Handles!
OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board
The Original GORILLA GRIP (R) Set of 3 Reversible Cutting Boards, BPA Free, Professional, Dishwasher Safe, Extra Large Size (Set of 3 Boards: Black)
Ziploc Freezer Bags, Gallon, 120 Count
Want to freeze your fruits and veggies? Check out these How to Freeze pages below:
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I MUST remember to do this! I have been seeing some great prices on them lately!
Yes, now is a great time to stock up. Thanks!
We’re getting ready to go pick berries either this week or next, so this is perfect! I’m wanting to pack quite a few into the freezer for this winter. Thanks for sharing this!
Yes, pick your own places are a great way to get a great price on large quantities of berries. You can then use them all winter long and be happy knowing that you got in season, fresh fruit for pennies!
Do you know if this alters the taste at all? I have picked strawberries fresh before, and I washed, cut, and sugared them prior to freezing (we did this the same day we picked them). They looked great but had a funny aftertaste. They were in our extra freezer and they couldn’t have been effected by other foods. Just wondering what your experience was. TY
I haven’t noticed any time of aftertaste, just that the texture does change, but I have never sugared them before freezing so that may be why. Why not skip the sugaring and see if you have the same experience. Thanks for stopping by!
Strawberries are never wasted here – always freeze them for smoothies 🙂
PERFECT tips, thank you!
I’ve always wanted to know how to do this. Thanks for the tips, Megan!
Mine have always become mush before. I will try flash freezing them.
Great tips Megan – I need to make a little more room in my freezer then it would be good to get stocked up on strawberries for the winter.
I did this last winter and just used the last of them in time for the new season of strawberries to begin! great method!
So glad you did this! It is a great way to save money and eat healthy all year. Thanks!
This is a great tip. I will have to try it.
I freeze bananas all the time but I never thought about freezing strawberries when they are on sale at the farmers market. Great idea. Can totally use them in smoothies!