When strawberries are in season, you can buy plenty of them and freeze them to enjoy their delicious taste any time of the year. There are many methods of freezing fresh strawberries for future use. You can freeze them whole or in pieces, arranged individually on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking together before transferring them to bags. If you intend to use them to make jam, to decorate a cake or a cocktail, you can add granulated sugar or in the form of syrup.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Freeze Natural Strawberries
Step 1. Wash the strawberries under cold running water
Before cutting them or removing the stems, place them in a colander and wash them with cold water to remove any possible dirt or chemicals. If strawberries are left to soak for too long, they can lose flavor, so make sure the water flows freely through the holes in the colander.
- If the strawberries are organically grown, you can wash them with baking soda or apple cider vinegar to make sure they are perfectly clean.
- After washing the strawberries, you can let them air dry inside the colander or you can gently pat them dry with paper towels.
Step 2. Remove the stems from the strawberries
Use a small pointed knife to make a circular cut around the leaves. Direct the tip of the knife towards the center of the fruit as you cut. Finally, remove the stem by pulling it with your hands or pushing it up with the tip of the knife.
- If you prefer, you can use a clean, sturdy straw. Insert it into the tip of the strawberry, push it through the fruit and push it against the stem until it breaks off.
- Repeat the process to remove the stems from all strawberries.
Step 3. Cut the strawberries into 2 or 4 parts if you prefer to freeze them in pieces
Depending on the use you intend to make of them, you can freeze them whole or already cut. If the recipe calls for it, take a sharp knife and slice them to the desired size.
If strawberries need to be whole for the recipe you want to make, just skip this step
Step 4. Arrange the strawberries on a baking sheet
After having washed them, deprived of the stalk and eventually cut as you wish, transfer them to a baking tray, spacing them apart. It is important that they are separated to prevent them from sticking together forming a single block when freezing.
Step 5. Place the pan in the freezer
It must be perfectly horizontal to prevent the strawberries from moving and sticking together. Leave them in the freezer until they are completely hard. On average, it will take 1 to 4 hours.
To check if the strawberries are completely frozen, squeeze one firmly between your fingers. If it resists the pressure, you can be sure it's frozen
Step 6. Transfer frozen strawberries to plastic food bags
When the strawberries are completely frozen, you can remove the pan from the freezer. Quickly transfer them to food bags to prevent them from thawing. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer to store the strawberries for future use.
Write the date on the bag to know when you froze the strawberries
Step 7. Use frozen strawberries within 6 months
When you are ready to use them, check the date written on the bag. If more than 6 months have passed, it is best to throw them away.
Frozen strawberries are great for making a milkshake or decorating a sundae
Method 2 of 3: Freeze Strawberries with Sugar
Step 1. Wash the strawberries with cold water
Before removing the stalks, place them in a colander and rinse them under running cold water to remove any soil residues or pesticides. If strawberries are left to soak for too long, they can lose flavor, so make sure the water flows freely through the holes in the colander.
If the strawberries are organically grown, you can wash them with baking soda or apple cider vinegar to make sure they are perfectly clean
Step 2. Remove the stems from the strawberries
Use a small pointed knife to make a circular cut around the leaves. Direct the tip of the knife towards the center of the fruit as you cut. Finally, remove the stem by pulling it with your hands or pushing it upwards with the tip of the knife. Alternatively, you can use a clean, sturdy straw. Insert it into the pointed part of the strawberry, push it through the fruit and push it against the stem until it comes off.
Repeat this process until you have removed the stems from all the strawberries with the knife or straw
Step 3. Cut the strawberries or puree them
After washing and removing the stalks, you can cut them in halves, quarters or thin slices using a sharp knife. If you want them to have a similar consistency to jam, place them in a bowl and mash them using a wooden spoon or potato masher.
- If you prefer, you can leave them whole, but cut or pureed they will absorb more sugar.
- If in the future you intend to use strawberries to make jam or to fill a cake, it is preferable to purée them.
Step 4. Sprinkle the strawberries with granulated sugar
Weigh them and transfer them to a large bowl, then add about 125 g of sugar for every kilo of strawberries. Depending on your taste, you can reduce or slightly increase the amount of sugar.
If you want, you can use brown sugar or another sweetener of your choice
Step 5. Stir for a couple of minutes until the sugar is barely visible
Use a large spoon to keep stirring until the strawberries are evenly covered in sugar. Slowly it will melt and the strawberries will begin to absorb it. After a couple of minutes the sugar will be barely visible.
Step 6. Transfer the sugar-coated strawberries to food bags
When they are evenly coated in sugar, slowly pour them into a large bag suitable for freezing food. If the size of the bowl prevents you from pouring the strawberries directly into the bag, take a spoon and transfer them a little at a time. When the bag is full, seal it and place it in the freezer.
- Being coated in sugar, the strawberries won't stick together, so you don't need to freeze them separately before transferring them to the bag.
- Write the date on the bag to be able to calculate the expiration date of the strawberries.
Step 7. Use strawberries within 6 months
Before using them, check the date you put on the bag. If it's been more than 6 months since you froze them, throw them away.
Strawberries frozen with sugar are suitable for preparing baked desserts because they do not risk getting the dough wet, unlike those frozen in syrup
Method 3 of 3: Freeze Strawberries in Sugar Syrup
Step 1. Make the sugar syrup with the sugar and water
The recipe for this syrup is very simple, just heat the water and sugar in equal parts in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. When the liquid reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer slowly for 3-5 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Occasionally, mix the syrup with a whisk or spoon. When the syrup is ready, take the pot away from the heat and let it cool.
- Weigh the strawberries to calculate the amount of syrup needed. Make 125ml syrup for every 500g of strawberries. For example, if you want to freeze 2 kg of strawberries, you will need 500 ml of sugar syrup.
- You can prepare the sugar syrup in advance and store it in the refrigerator for several days.
Step 2. Chill the syrup in the refrigerator for 4 hours
When it has reached room temperature, transfer it to a jar or glass bottle. Chill it in the refrigerator for 4 hours or until it is completely cold.
Step 3. Wash the strawberries under cold running water
While the syrup is cooling in the refrigerator, place the strawberries in a colander and wash them under cold running water. If strawberries are left to soak for too long, they can lose flavor, so make sure the water flows freely through the holes in the colander.
If the strawberries are organically grown, you can wash them with baking soda or apple cider vinegar to make sure they are perfectly clean
Step 4. Remove the stems from the strawberries
Use a small pointed knife to make a circular cut around the leaves. Direct the tip of the knife towards the center of the fruit as you cut. Finally, remove the stem by pulling it with your hands or pushing it up with the tip of the knife. Alternatively, you can use a clean, sturdy straw. Insert it into the pointed part of the strawberry, push it through the fruit and push it against the stem until it comes off.
Repeat this process until you have removed the stems from all the strawberries with the knife or straw
Step 5. Cut the strawberries or puree them
After washing and removing the stalks, you can cut them in halves, quarters or thin slices using a sharp knife. If you want them to have a similar consistency to jam, place them in a bowl and mash them using a wooden spoon or potato masher.
- If you want to freeze whole strawberries, just skip this step.
- If you intend to use strawberries as a base for a cocktail in the future, it is preferable to purée them.
Step 6. Transfer the strawberries to a food container with a lid
After washing them and eventually cut or pureed them, weigh them and then transfer them to a container suitable for freezing food using a spoon. If you don't have a large enough container or if you prefer to freeze them in small portions, you can divide them into several containers. In this case, remember to weigh the individual portions.
Step 7. When the syrup has cooled, pour it over the strawberries
Take it out of the fridge and dose it according to the weight of the strawberries. Add 125ml of sugar syrup to every 500g of strawberries, then make sure they are completely submerged. If not, add more.
Continue adding the syrup until the strawberries are completely submerged
Step 8. Add a food extract (optional)
If you wish, you can flavor the strawberries with an extract of your choice, for example orange or vanilla flavored. Add one teaspoon (5ml) to every 500g of strawberries. Strawberries will absorb the sugar and extract and acquire an exceptional flavor.
If you prefer, you can use a spice of your choice. For example, cinnamon or cardamom go well with strawberries
Step 9. Use strawberries within 6 months
When the container is full and after adding the extract or flavorings of your choice, seal it with the lid and place it in the freezer.
- Thanks to the presence of the sugar syrup, the shape and color of the strawberries will remain unchanged for longer.
- When it's time to use the strawberries, let them thaw at room temperature for about 4 hours.
Advice
- Place the strawberries in the ice pan, cover them with water and use the cubes to cool your drinks in a spectacular way.
- You can freeze strawberries with the stalk, but you will struggle to remove it while they are frozen. If you prefer to freeze them whole, remove them from the freezer at least a couple of hours in advance and let them thaw before removing the stalk.
