The best way to freeze strawberries is the simplest and easiest. And I learned it all from my Italian Aunt! All you need are strawberries, a little lemon juice, some sugar and a couple of jars!
A couple of weeks ago the Italian and I went to visit his Aunt and Uncle (the Uncle is actually my mother-in-law’s brother). They live in the province of Frosinone in the town of Sora. It’s a really nice drive of about 2 hours just south of us.
I love going to visit because 1. I don’t have to cook and 2. I usually come home with a two or three recipes. Which of course happened.
Table of contents
Our Aunt made a delicious pasta dish, one of my favourites I might add. Fettuccine and Mushrooms, to make it even more tastier, she add some chopped Italian sausage. So good. She also made Italian Fried Chicken and a tossed salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and green onions, and of course tossed with some olive oil, wine vinegar and a sprinkle of salt.
But then came dessert, never mind the Italian mini pastries that I picked up from one of our bakeries in town, but her Fruit Salad was to die for. I love fruit salad and it is one thing I do make quite often in the Summer with all the beautiful fresh fruit around.
I am going to tell you that that Fruit Salad was one of the best I have ever eaten! Full of cut up peaches, apricots, kiwi, an apple or two and of course strawberries, (and a secret ingredient, yup she added some Limoncello). But what made my ears perk up was when she mentioned to her husband that these were the strawberries from last year! What?
They were sweet and juicy and, well perfect. I loved the idea of having a winter fruit salad with some Summer Strawberries that I froze. And just think of all the other things you can do with them! So I asked her if she froze her strawberries the usual way?
- by cleaning them
- placing them on a cookie
- and then freezing them before bagging them?
The best Strawberries to freeze
Of course it wasn’t, she would not go to all that trouble! 🙂 And naturally she proceeded to tell me the best and only way to Freeze Strawberries. And of course she said, don’t use the ones that just come out on the market wait until they are riper and cheaper!
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The Best way to Freeze Strawberries
- Clean and hull the Strawberries.
- Chop or slice (depending how you like it).
- Place the slices in a large bowl add a little sugar
- and lemon juice and toss gently to combine.
- Spoon into clean freezer safe jars (leave an inch from the top free).
- Close the jars tightly and freeze.
- Let the strawberries thaw before using. Now tell me they aren’t amazing!
My husband and I used to visit them more often when we first got married but with the arrival of kids things change and visits come few and far between. We had a great time sitting outside and I loved seeing her vegetable garden.
Listening to her tell me more ways to make this and that dish. And of course we always stay longer than we planned but that’s ok too!
Naturally we make plans to visit again soon, but until that time enjoy some sweet delicious Strawberries. And she also shared her secrets for Preserving Peaches too!
More Delicious Recipes with Strawberries
- Easy Fresh Strawberry Mousse
- Easy Strawberry Cookies
- Homemade Strawberry Liqueur Two Ways
- Fresh Strawberry Pie with Mascarpone Filling
How to Freeze Strawberries
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries (make sure they are firm, ripe and free of blemishes)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3-4 medium jars (washed and dried, with tight fitting lids)
Instructions
- Wash the jars in hot soapy water, rinse well and dry.
- If the strawberries are already quite clean, then place them in a colander and rinse them under cold water, place them (single layer) on a dry clean tea towel and gently dry. Then hull and slice or chop depending on your preference.
- If the strawberries are not very clean (eg. just picked or it just rained and they have some dirt on them) then fill a large bowl with cool water, add the strawberries and move them around until they are clean. Remove the strawberries and place them (single layer) on a dry clean tea towel and gently dry. Then hull and slice or chop depending on your preference.
- Place the sliced or chopped strawberries in a large bowl, sprinkle with lemon juice and sugar. Gently toss together. Spoon into the clean jars, leaving approximately one inch (2 centimeters) free space between the strawberries and the top. Then place jars in the freezer. Will keep up to a year. Enjoy!
Janice Bowers says
I love Italian Recipes and I am so looking forward to getting recipes from you… I have one question, in the photo your canning jar that you put your berries in to freeze, it didn’t look like a freezer jar. Was it labeled as a freezer safe jar? Thank you
Rosemary says
Hi Janice, thanks so much. Yes it was a freezer jar that are available here in Italy. Take care.
shirl stepp says
I love your recipes so much! I get your email and follow you on fb. And this is awesome recipe on freezing strawber
rries and will now have excellent
Love your recipes and get your emails! Thanks for this one!!! I love strawberry shortcake and now, can have anytime 🙂 You are an amazing cook and presentation of recipes is so beautiful. Thank you for a bright spot I love to see on my email & on fb.
Rosemary says
Hi Shril, thanks so much, so glad you enjoy the recipes. You made my day. Take care.
Margaret says
I tried to print your recipe and I got pages of pages of comments and NO Recipe
Rosemary says
Hi Margaret, so I figured out the problem, you have to print the recipe from the recipe card and not from the computer (eg file-print). Hope that helps. Let me know.