One of the best ways to eat healthy is to eat with the seasons. Broccoli, peaches, strawberries, and blueberries (just a few examples) aren’t grown year-round, instead there’s a specific season these foods can be grown in. This is true for all real food. And this is a beautiful thing, because it means that we were intended to eat variety in a very affordable way. Our body needs a variety of nutrients, and the seasonal shift in food provides us with this variety in a very natural way (how to find seasonal and local food). One of my favorite ways to enjoy berries year-round is to freeze fresh berries to use for future smoothies, yogurt bowls, snacking, etc. Let me show you how to easily freeze fresh strawberries and blueberries (and other berries), and share 10 of my favorite ways to use frozen berries.
This berry freezing method is a great way to store extra seasonal fruits before they go bad or when you’ve just bought too much. I use a similar method to freeze peaches, which I’ve shared before on the blog. While I’m referencing just strawberries and blueberries today, this method works for all other berries and even most fresh fruits: bananas, cantaloupe, grapes, pitted cherries, etc.
Watch How to Freeze Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries
How to Freeze Fresh Strawberries and Blueberries
Tools You’ll Need
- Sheet pan
- (optional) Parchment paper
- Ziplock bag(s), silicone bag(s), or tempered glass container
Step 1: Wash and Dry Berries
First, wash the berries and dry them thoroughly. I wash berries in a vinegar bath and then dry the berries on a towel for a couple of hours (how to use a vinegar bath for berries). If you’re planning to freeze the berries immeadiately, skip the vinegar bath, if desired, and just run the berries under fresh water. It’s important for the strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries to be fully dry before freezing. Water left on the berries will cause the berries to suffer from freezer burn.
Step 2: Spread Berries on a Sheet Pan
Once the strawberries, blueberries, or whatever berry you’re wanting to freeze is fully dry, spread the berries on a sheet pan. I like to line my sheet pan with parchment paper to keep the berries from possibly sticking to the pan.
Step 3: Freeze Overnight and Store
Place the sheet pan in the freezer and freeze for about 4 hours or overnight. Once the berries are completely frozen, spoon or dump the berries into an airtight container: a plastic freezer bag, silicone bag, or tempered glass container. If using a bag, remove extra air from the bag before sealing–this will prevent freezer burn issues.
How Long Will Fresh Frozen Strawberries and Blueberries Last in the Freezer?
Frozen berries will last about a year in the freezer, when stored in an airtight container. This means you can stock up when berries are in season and super affordable, freeze the abundance, and enjoy berries well past berry season. After freezing, berries will be squishy and juicy if you try to defrost them back to room temperature. It’s best to use frozen berries in their frozen state, either for yogurt bowls, jam, muffins, enjoyed as a frozen snack as-is, etc.
10 Ways to Use Frozen Strawberries and Blueberries
Here are some ways to use frozen strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries.
- Chia Jam: Chia jam is an easy way to make a quick berry jam using your fresh frozen berries. Cookie and Kate has a great berry chia jam recipe.
- Blueberry Muffins: I love to use my master einkorn muffin recipe to make blueberry muffins with the frozen blueberries. Frozen blackberries or raspberries would also be delightful to add to the batter. If you’re gluten-free, try my almond flour blueberry muffins.
- Smoothies: Add a cup of frozen berries to a blender jar, along with 1/2-1 cup of milk or yogurt, and a banana for a simple smoothie. Here’s my guide to making the best smoothies.
- Popsicles: Simply blend up berries with yogurt and some water, then pour into popsicle molds and freeze. You can also create a more custom pop like these Strawberry Lemonade Cream Pops using strawberries or blueberries.
- Scones: Scones are a great treat for a weekend breakfast. Use frozen blackberries or blueberries to create homemade scones using this recipe.
- Berry Frozen Yogurt (Froyo): Blend up frozen strawberries or blueberries to make a homemade frozen yogurt treat.
- Yogurt Bowls: Fresh frozen berries make the best yogurt bowls! Add your favorite yogurt (here’s my guide to healthy dairy) to a bowl, then top with frozen berries and honey or granola. I also love to add chopped fresh mint in the summer.
- Fruit-on-the-Bottom Yogurt: Add frozen berries (or any frozen fruit) to the bottom of a mason jar, then top with yogurt and place in the fridge. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The frozen fruit slowly melts, creating the best fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt. Stir the fruit into the yogurt before serving.
- As-Is: Enjoy fresh frozen berries straight from the freezer as a snack or treat.
- Smoothie Packs: Package frozen fruit into individual bags or containers so the fruit is ready to blend for smoothies.
If you’d like to print and save this method, use the recipe card below (click the “print” button on the right side).
How to Freeze Strawberries and Blueberries (and Other Fruits)
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh strawberries, blueberries blackberries, or raspberries. Freeze as many berries as will fit on your sheet pan.
Instructions
- First, wash the berries and dry them thoroughly. I wash berries in a vinegar bath and then dry the berries on a towel for a couple of hours (how to use a vinegar bath for berries). If you're planning to freeze the berries immeadiately, skip the vinegar bath, if desired, and just run the berries under fresh water. It's important for the strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries to be fully dry before freezing. Water left on the berries will cause the berries to suffer from freezer burn.
- Once the strawberries, blueberries, or whatever berry you're wanting to freeze is fully dry, spread the berries on a sheet pan. I like to line my sheet pan with parchment paper to keep the berries from possibly sticking to the pan.
- Place the sheet pan in the freezer and freeze for about 4 hours or overnight. Once the berries are completely frozen, spoon or dump the berries into an airtight container: a plastic freezer bag, silicone bag, or tempered glass container. If using a bag, remove extra air from the bag before sealing--this will prevent freezer burn issues.
- Store in the freezer for up to 12 months.
