Freezing Strawberries

Shez

Silly questions I know - but can you freeze strawberries? or do they not defrost too well - e.g. go watery??

They've got some half price spanish strawberries in Lidl, gorgeous DD loves them! thought about getting them and freezing them for her.

comping_cat

If you are wanting to freeze them, and then use them in cooking they will be fine. Last time i froze strawberries they came out all mushy, and not at all appertising, fine for a cobbler/crumble, not fresh with cream and sugar!!!!

Heth_2

I agree with catowen. MIL and FIL grow lots of strawberries and when we moved in together they gave us a few boxes of frozen ones. They were ok used in cooking, and we also juiced some to make cocktails, but not that great by themselves.

Anne_Marie_2

They don't hold their shape well, and tend to go a bit mushy, but fine if you are using them to make a strawberry sauce, or jam, whatever.
Raspberries on the other hand do freeze really well, so if you ever get them reduced, freeze away.

calleyw

I buy frozen fruits like strawberries and raspberries. I tend to use them for desserts with icecream or custard etc and they are fine. They do lose a bit of shape. But you expect that when they are frozen.


And it is not like you are trying to palm them off as being fresh anyway.


Yours


Calley

rumblytum

Hi Shez,

I agree with the other posters. You can freeze them, but they will be VERY mushy when they defrost.

They can be cooked with, or used in smoothies/juice/milkshakes from frozen, though.

If you ever see blueberries on special offer (exceptionally good for you, but v. expensive!), then they freeze brilliantly.

HTH

rumbly

Shez

Thanks all for your responses - yes it was as i guessed that they would go watery when defrosted.

Didnt really want them for milkshakes, DD just loves to eat them whole - usually by the box load!!!! they're so cheap at 79p at the moment instead of the usual £2-£3 I have been paying lately.

Good idea about the jam, do you need loads and loads of them to make a substantial amount - I do have a breadmaker that has a jam setting - better go read the bread making recipe thread now!!

thanks all!

Shez

Incidently - is it best to freeze them in a bag or a box?

mirakl

I can't resist freezing strawberries and making Starwberry daiquiris and smoothies and they taste amazing!

Wendrie

I freeze all berries/small edible things on greaseproof paper on a baking tray for a few minutes - then tip them into a bag or box (which ever will fit into the space in the freezer best). Then when you want some you can pull out a hand full. I have to confess tho I don't do strawberries as is - ice cream, jam or sauce usually. But the frozen strawberry drinks might be worth a rethink of my habits. Nigella Lawson describes them as "frozen slugs"....

skipkoo

I have some strawberries that I bought a couple of days ago (special offer!) but they are not lasting very well. The main reason for buying them is to make smoothies for my son, so I was wondering if anyone here had frozen strawberries and if so, what was the affect on them? To make the smoothies i just put them in a jug with banana and maybe a kiwi or some blueberries and blitz them altogether with my hand blender.
Any advice would be great
skipkoo