How to Defrost Berries

Top yogurt with frozen berries or use them to make smoothies.

During the summer and early fall, it is common to preserve fresh berries by freezing. The texture and flavor of frozen berries might be slightly different from when they are fresh, but they still taste great in yogurt, smoothies and desserts. To use frozen berries, they must be thawed. Frozen berries can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight, but defrosting berries in cold water is a quicker method.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Colander
• Water

Instructions

1. Remove any packaging from the frozen berries, such as plastic wrap or freezer bags. Place the berries in a colander and put the colander in a bowl.

2. Fill the bowl with enough cool water to cover the berries are covered. The berries may float on top of the water, but they will thaw as long as they are in contact with the water. Check the progress occasionally by squeezing one of the larger berries.

3. Remove the colander slowly, allowing the water to drain into the bowl. The berries will collect in the colander as the water drains.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave the berries in the packaging if are they sugar packed or contain spices you wish to keep.

• Mushy defrosted berries can be used in smoothies or mashed with sugar for ice cream or dessert toppings.

• Refrigerate thawed berries and use within 48 hours.

References

• University of Wisconsin Extenstion: Frozen Bluberries
• Taste of Home: Using Frozen Berries
• University of Minnesota Extension; Freezing Berries; Jean Pitt