How to Freeze Strawberries

Freeze berries for year-round enjoyment.

Freezing strawberries is an ideal way to preserve their freshness and enjoy seasonal produce year-round. Whether your strawberries are from the grocery store or your own garden, the summer months produce the freshest and best-tasting strawberries. A few techniques will help keep frozen berries as fresh and tasty as the day they were picked.

Things You'll Need

• Strawberries
• Small knife
• Colander
• Cookie sheet
• Freezer bags or containers

Instructions

1. Using a small, sharp knife, cut off the stems and leaves of the strawberries, along with the very top portion of the berries. Cut away any bruised spots, too.

2. Place the berries in a colander and rinse them in cool water to remove any dirt.

3. Lay the berries, cut side down, onto a cookie sheet. Keep the berries in a single layer so they are not touching. This will allow the berries to freeze individually and not clump together.

4. Place the uncovered cookie sheet in the refrigerator for one hour. Then transfer it to the freezer for five to six hours, or until the strawberries are completely frozen through.

5. Remove the pan from the freezer and transfer the frozen strawberries to freezer bags or containers. Store the packaged berries in the freezer.

Tips & Warnings

• Most strawberries retain their quality for eight to 12 months in the freezer.

References

• University of California:http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8256.pdf