Freezing strawberries is actually the perfect method for preserving the taste and freshness of strawberries even after the season has passed. In general, strawberries can be frozen whole or chopped beforehand. In addition, you can also freeze fresh strawberries separately on a baking sheet, or coat them with a sprinkle of sugar and soak them in a sugar syrup solution if the strawberries are later turning into jams, cake fillings, or cocktails that taste sweeter.
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Method 1 of 3: Freezing Fresh Strawberries
Step 1. Wash the strawberries under cold running water
Before cutting or removing the petals, you can first put the strawberries in a basket with holes, then wash them under running tap water to remove any residual pesticides, harmful chemicals, and other debris adhering to the surface. Make sure the water flows out of the holes in the basket so that the strawberries don't have to be submerged in water for too long and lose their natural flavor.
- If you use organic strawberries, you should use a special liquid to clean organic fruits so that the cleanliness of the strawberries can be guaranteed.
- After washing, the strawberries can be left in the basket to dry naturally, or lightly patted with a dry paper towel until the entire surface is dry.
Step 2. Remove the strawberry petals or the leafy base.
Using a small vegetable knife, slice the base of the strawberry in a circular motion, making sure the tip of the knife is pointing inward. Then, pull the knife to remove the strawberry petals or use the help of your hands to make the process easier.
- If you want, you can also remove the strawberry petals with the help of a straw. To do this, all you have to do is stick the end of the straw into the bottom of the cone of the strawberry, then push it until the straw pierces the flesh of the strawberry and releases the petals.
- Repeat the process until all the strawberry petals come off.
Step 3. Cut the strawberries into halves or quarters if you want to freeze them in smaller sizes
If the recipe you're going to practice calls for sliced strawberries, or if you want to cut the strawberries before freezing them, feel free to do so with the help of a very sharp knife.
If you want to freeze the strawberries whole, skip this step
Step 4. Arrange the strawberries on the baking sheet and make sure the surfaces don't stick together
After the strawberries have been washed, removed the petals, and cut or left whole, immediately arrange them evenly on the baking sheet. Make sure the surfaces of the strawberries don't touch each other so that each fruit can be frozen separately!
Step 5. Place the tin filled with strawberries in the freezer for 1 to 4 hours
Make sure the pan is placed on a flat surface so that the strawberries don't slide, stick together, or even overlap when frozen. Leave the pan in the freezer for 1 to 4 hours, or until the strawberries are completely frozen.
To make sure the strawberries are completely frozen, try pressing the surface firmly with your fingers. If the texture doesn't change, it means the freezing process is complete
Step 6. Transfer the frozen strawberries to a special container or plastic bag to store food in the freezer
After the strawberries are completely frozen, remove the pan from the freezer, then transfer the strawberries to a special container or plastic bag. Do this process quickly so the strawberries don't melt! Then, close the container tightly and put it back in the freezer until it's time to use it.
Write the freezing date of the strawberries on the surface of the container to better monitor their expiration date
Step 7. Store frozen strawberries in the freezer for up to 6 months
Before use, double check the freezing date listed on the container packaging. If the storage duration has exceeded 6 months, frozen strawberries should be discarded and should not be consumed.
If the expiration date has not yet passed, delicious frozen strawberries are made into a simple smoothie or ice cream accompaniment
Method 2 of 3: Freezing Sugared Strawberries
Step 1. Wash the strawberries under cold running water
Before removing the petals, place the strawberries in a basket with holes and wash them under running tap water to remove any residual pesticides, harmful chemicals, or dirt on the surface. Make sure the water flows out of the holes in the basket so that the strawberries don't soak in the water for too long.
If using organic strawberries, you should use a special liquid to wash organic fruits so that the cleanliness of the strawberries can be guaranteed
Step 2. Use a knife or straw to remove the strawberry petals
If using a small vegetable knife, try slicing the leafy base of the strawberry in a circular motion. Point the tip of the knife into the inside of the strawberry, then pull the petals with the help of your hand. If using a straw, stick the straw into the conical end of the strawberry (the bottom), then push until the straw pierces the strawberry flesh and the petals come off.
Repeat the process until all the strawberry petals come off well
Step 3. Slice or mash the strawberries in a bowl
Once the strawberries have been cleaned and the lids removed, use a very sharp knife to cut them into halves, quarters, or thinner slices. If you want to freeze the strawberries in a consistency that resembles jam, you can put them in a bowl and mash them with a wooden spoon or potato crusher.
- Strawberries can also be frozen whole, although the sugar won't be as fully absorbed as when mixed with sliced strawberries or mashed strawberries.
- If you're going to use the strawberries later to make jam or cake fillings, you can crush or mash them before freezing them.
Step 4. Sprinkle white granulated sugar over the surface of the strawberries
With the help of a measuring cup, transfer the strawberries to a bowl while still counting the number. Then, sprinkle 100 grams of white sugar on the surface for every 1,000 grams of strawberries. The amount of sugar can be added or reduced to suit your taste.
Although white sugar is more commonly used, you can actually use brown sugar or other sweeteners, such as splenda or stevia
Step 5. Stir the strawberries and sugar for 1 to 2 minutes or until some of the sugar granules have dissolved
Use a large spoon to mix the strawberries and sugar, and continue to stir until the entire surface of the strawberries is well coated with sugar, about 1 to 2 minutes. As you stir, the sugar will be slowly absorbed into the strawberries so that the grainy texture is no longer clearly visible.
Step 6. Put the sugared strawberries in a plastic clip bag
After the entire surface of the strawberry is coated with sugar, immediately transfer it to a special container or plastic clip bag to store food in the freezer. If the mouth of the bowl is too wide to make it difficult to pour the strawberries into the container, you can use the help of a spoon to do this process gradually. Once all the strawberries have been removed, seal the container tightly and store it in the freezer until it's time to use it.
- The icing will act as a "barrier" to prevent the strawberries from sticking together when frozen. That's why you don't need to freeze the strawberries separately if you use this method.
- Do not forget to write the date of freezing of the strawberries on the surface of the container so that the expiration date can be monitored properly.
Step 7. Store frozen confectionery strawberries in the freezer for up to 6 months
Before use, double check the freezing date listed on the surface of the container. If the storage duration has exceeded 6 months, the strawberries should be discarded and should not be consumed!
If they are not past their expiration date, sugary strawberries are great for making cakes. Unlike strawberries stored in a syrupy solution, sugared strawberries are drier in texture and won't make the cake batter runny
Method 3 of 3: Freezing Strawberries in Sugar Syrup Solution
Step 1. Make a simple sugar syrup solution from a mixture of sugar and water
To make a simple sugar syrup solution, you only need to boil 1 part water with 1 part sugar in a saucepan. Once both are boiling, reduce the heat, and cook the solution again, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes or until all the sugar granules are completely dissolved. Then, turn off the stove and let the sugar syrup solution cool to room temperature.
- To find out how much sugar syrup you need, first count the number of strawberries you want to freeze. In general, you need about 100 ml of sugar syrup for every 500 grams of strawberries. If the number of strawberries to be frozen is 2 kg, prepare about 500 ml of sugar syrup solution.
- If stored in the refrigerator, the freshness of the sugar syrup will last for several weeks.
Step 2. Chill the sugar syrup solution in the refrigerator for 4 hours
Once the sugar syrup reaches room temperature, immediately transfer it to a jar or glass container, then store the container in the refrigerator for 4 hours or until the syrup is completely cold.
Step 3. Wash the strawberries under cold running water
While waiting for the sugar syrup to cool, place the strawberries to be frozen in a perforated basket, then run cold tap water to clean the surface. Make sure that the water flows out of the holes in the basket and that the strawberries are not submerged for too long to avoid losing their flavor.
If using organic strawberries, you should use a special liquid to wash organic fruits so that the cleanliness of the strawberries can be guaranteed afterward
Step 4. Use a knife or straw to remove the strawberry petals
If using a small vegetable knife, slice the leafy base of the strawberry in a circular motion. Point the tip of the knife into the inside of the strawberry, then pull the petals with the help of your hand. If using a straw, stick the straw into the bottom of the cone of the strawberry, then push it until the straw penetrates the flesh of the strawberry and releases the petals.
Repeat the process until all the strawberry petals come off
Step 5. Slice or mash the strawberries (optional)
Once the strawberries have been cleaned and the lids removed, use a very sharp knife to cut the strawberries into two or four equal parts, or thinly slice them. If you want to change the texture of the strawberries so they resemble jam, try putting them in a bowl and mashing them with a wooden spoon or potato crusher.
- If you want to freeze the strawberries whole, skip this step.
- Mashing strawberries in a bowl is an option worth trying if you're going to make a cocktail later.
Step 6. Put the strawberries in a special container for storing food in the freezer which is equipped with a lid
Put the strawberries that have been mashed, sliced, or left whole into a large enough container with the help of a spoon or measuring cup. If you don't have a large enough container, you can divide the strawberries into several smaller containers. Don't forget to keep track of the amount of strawberries you put in each container!
Step 7. Pour the cold sugar syrup over the surface of the strawberries
First, remove the sugar syrup solution from the refrigerator. Then, pour 100 ml of sugar syrup solution for every 500 grams of strawberries until the container looks full. Remember, the whole strawberry must be completely submerged in the syrup.
If the strawberries are not completely submerged, add the amount of sugar syrup you use
Step 8. Add flavoring extract to enrich the strawberry flavor (optional)
To make the strawberry flavor a little richer, try adding 1 tsp. extract your favorite flavoring, such as orange peel or vanilla for every 500 grams of strawberries. Instead, the flavor of the extract of your choice will be absorbed into the strawberries as the freezing process progresses and make the strawberry taste more unique when eaten later.
If you want, you can also add a little ground spice. For example, use ground cinnamon and cardamom, which blend perfectly with strawberries in a sugar syrup solution
Step 9. Store strawberries in the freezer for up to 6 months
After the container is full and the flavorings have been added, cover the surface of the container tightly, then put the strawberries that have been soaked in the sugar syrup solution into the freezer. Store strawberries until they are used or processed.
- If soaked in a sugar syrup solution, the color and shape of the strawberries will be better preserved. In addition, strawberries will also absorb the sweet taste of sugar syrup so that it feels more delicious when eaten.
- Before use or processing, thaw frozen strawberries in a sugar syrup solution at room temperature for about 4 hours.
Tips
- If you just want to freeze some strawberries quickly and easily, you can turn them into ice cubes to mix into a variety of drinks.
- While it's not mandatory to remove the strawberries before freezing, understand that frozen strawberry petals will be more difficult to cut. Therefore, if the strawberries have already been frozen along with the petals, try letting them sit for 2 to 4 hours before removing the petals that are attached to the ends.
