How to Store Strawberries – Easy Tips to Keep Them Fresh Longer
Updated on March 2, 2023
If you’re looking for a foolproof way to keep your strawberries fresh, this guide will show you exactly how to store strawberries so they’ll last as long as possible.
Strawberries are an appetizing fruit that’s low in calories and high in nutrients. It comes with numerous health benefits, and it’s typically used in diet plans to help people lose weight.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about strawberries, including how to store and keep them fresh longer. We’re also showing you the correct steps to freeze strawberries for long-term use.
And you can find out how to store chocolate-covered strawberries, as well as how to wash and cut this fruit the right way.
Table of Contents
Strawberries: What You Need to Know
The sweet and succulent fruit known as strawberry is a member of the rose family. These berries grow on small, climbing plants and are typically red or white.
Strawberries are generally grouped into three basic types: early season, midseason, and late season. Early-season strawberries are typically smaller in size but have a shorter window of availability.
Mid-season strawberries are larger than early-season varieties and have a longer growing period, which means they are available for more weeks during the year.
Late-season strawberries produce higher yields than earlier varieties and can be produced several weeks after the first harvest is complete. They also tend to store better than other strawberry varieties, making them ideal for shipping over long distances.
Health Benefits
An 8-ounce serving of strawberries provides more than 100% of the daily value for vitamin C, which is important for many bodily functions.
Strawberries are also a rich source of dietary fiber, potassium, copper, manganese, and antioxidants like fisetin and anthocyanins.
Plus, they are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. One serving provides 57 calories, making strawberries an excellent choice for weight loss.
Although not as well known as other berries, strawberries can protect your brain from diseases like Parkinson’s. They contain nearly twice the amount of dopamine found in oranges; researchers believe this special antioxidant helps prevent age-related cognitive decline by reducing free radicals that cause brain cell damage.
How to Store Strawberries
Eating fresh strawberries in the spring when they’re abundant is the best way to experience their unique texture and flavor. However, if you’re interested in storing strawberries in the long haul, here’s what you need to do:
- Store fresh strawberries (unwashed) in a single layer at cool room temperature or in the refrigerator. Be sure to cut a 1/2-inch from the bottom of the strawberry stems before storing as this can promote decay.
- Wash the strawberries just before using them and store any excess berries or whole fruits in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- One of the best ways to store strawberries is by freezing them – place whole strawberries on a baking sheet and put them into the freezer until frozen solid. Then transfer them to a freezer bag or storage container for up to 1 year.
- Strawberries can also be canned, pieced, or turned into preserves.
How to Store Fresh Strawberries
If you’re wondering how to store freshly picked strawberries, here’s what you need to know:
- When you bring strawberries home from the store or farmer’s market, keep them in the fridge. This will help to extend their freshness.
- Don’t remove the green leaves when transferring the strawberries to the fridge.
- Strawberries are quite delicate, so don’t wash them until you’re ready to use them. Rinse the berries gently in cold water and pat dry with a paper towel before serving.
- When placing the fresh strawberries in an airtight container for refrigeration, include a paper towel to absorb moisture and prevent molding.
- Don’t place strawberries in multiple layers since this will encourage molding. However, if there’s no way around it, place a paper towel between layers to handle the moisture issue.
How to Freeze Strawberries
Yes, it’s possible to freeze strawberries so that they will last longer. Here is the correct way to do it:
- Pick fully ripe and only fresh strawberries, so be sure to remove anything that doesn’t fit the bill. You don’t have to throw away the imperfect strawberries, though. For example, you can use them to quickly make a delicious smoothie.
- Wash the strawberries in cold water and use paper towels to dry them.
- Remove the stems. You can freeze the strawberries whole or cut them in slices, depending on your culinary preferences.
- Place the strawberries on an ice tray and keep them in the freezer for about 2 hours.
- Move the frozen strawberries to resealable freezer bags, ensuring you remove any excess air before sealing.
- Label the bags before putting them in the freezer.
It’s best to use the frozen strawberries within 6 months.
How to Store Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Since chocolate-covered strawberries are considered a delicacy, it’s important to follow specific guidelines when making them.
- You can prepare chocolate-covered strawberries with dried or fresh fruit.
- If you’re using dried fruit, keep in mind that the strawberries will need to sit overnight before dipping them in chocolate. This allows the moisture from the fruit to soften the dried strawberries.
- When making this dessert using fresh fruit, you’ll need to refrigerate them for at least 6 hours before dipping them into the melted chocolate. The best chocolate for chocolate-covered strawberries is Baker’s Chocolate or dark cooking chocolate.
- You can store chocolate-covered strawberries in the fridge or keep them at room temperature.
- If you need to store the dessert for an extended period (up to 1 week), place it in a sealed tightly-wrapped container and move it to the refrigerator.
- To freeze chocolate-covered strawberries, simply place them in resealable freezer bags. Be sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Then label the bag with a permanent marker and store it in the freezer for no more than 6 months. Before serving, place the chocolate-covered fruit on a plate and let it thaw for 30 minutes.
How to Clean Strawberries
Cleaning strawberries can be a delicate task, especially since the fruit is so delicate to the touch. Here are the basics:
- Before rinsing the strawberries, gently remove any imperfect or bruised produce.
- Remove any leaves and green parts on the stem portion.
- If you’d like to eat hulled strawberries on the go, simply wash them in a strainer under running water. Be sure to pat them dry with paper towels before eating them.
- Rinse in cold water. Don’t use hot or warm water because this can cause spoilage.
- Trim off about half an inch from the bottom of the strawberry stems.
- Use a small bowl of cold water with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to help clean your utensils and sink while washing strawberries. You can also use it as a rinse for your berries before serving.
- Do not soak your berries in liquid soap or detergent since this will cause them to get mushy and break down their natural antiseptic qualities over time.
How to Clean Strawberries in Bulk
If you plan on making desserts or simply want to eat strawberry after strawberry, it’s important to know how to properly wash the fruit for storage and preparation purposes. Luckily, following these guidelines will help:
- Create a brine solution by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a pitcher of water.
- Slice off the hulls, stems and leaves from each strawberry. You can then use them for wine or jam ingredients.
- Gently immerse the strawberries in the prepared salted water. Use a wire strainer to get rid of any debris floating on the surface of the water.
- Rinse with cold water and pat dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel before placing the strawberries in an airtight container for storage.
- Use a smaller, separate container filled with a fresh brine solution to rinse the strawberries before transferring them to another container for storage.
How to Cut Strawberries for Desserts
When you’re making desserts like strawberry shortcakes, cheesecakes, tarts, and pies, you’ll need to know how to cut strawberries. The best way to achieve it is by using a paring knife with a rounded tip:
- Cut the stem off with a diagonal cut going down about 3/4 of the strawberry.
- Start with the top half of the strawberry and slice in a circular motion until you reach the base. Repeat by cutting from the other side.
- You may also choose to slice the berries in halves or quarters, depending on which size you want them for your recipe.
If you wish to freeze strawberries for future use, slice the berries into smaller sections so that they won’t be too large when you thaw them.
Strawberries FAQ
Discover more information about this tasty fruit.
Can dogs eat strawberries?
Yes, dogs can eat strawberries. In fact, strawberries are a good source of vitamin C. However, it’s crucial to only give your dog a small number of strawberries at a time since they may have trouble digesting the fruit.
Are strawberries berries?
Contrary to what the name suggests, strawberries are not berries. Instead, they’re considered to be accessory fruit. It’s because they have seeds on the outside of the flesh, as opposed to other fruits like raspberries or blackberries.
Are strawberries healthy?
Yes, strawberries are a nutrient-rich fruit that offers a wealth of health benefits. In fact, strawberries are full of vitamin C, dietary fiber, manganese, and potassium. Strawberries also contain antioxidants that can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Can you eat strawberry leaves?
Yes, it’s possible to eat strawberry leaves since they’re edible. Some people use them in salads or with eggs. You can also cook them with other greens to create a simple side dish.
On the other hand, keep in mind that the leaves can have small particles that are irritating to the mouth and throat. If this occurs, chewing your food into small pieces can help you avoid discomfort.
How to wash strawberries?
Here is the best way to wash strawberries correctly: gently remove any imperfect or bruised produce, cut off any leaves and green parts on the stem portion, and rinse the strawberries in cold water.
Don’t use hot or warm water since it may cause spoilage. Be sure to pat them dry with paper towels before eating them or serving them to others.
How long do strawberries last?
Strawberries have a shelf life of about 1 to 2 days. If you keep them in the fridge, they can last for up to 1 week. However, if you freeze the fruit, you can consume it after 6 months.
How to extract the juice from strawberries?
To extract the juice from fresh strawberries, simply add them to a blender or food processor along with some sugar and blend the ingredients. You can also strain the pulp if you’d like to remove it.
How to keep strawberries fresh?
Keep the fruit in a bowl, away from dry ingredients like spices and flour. Don’t store the fruit in airtight containers or seal them in plastic bags since this can cause them to spoil.
How many strawberries are in a cup?
Around 8 large strawberries can fill up a cup. If you’d like, you can use the same amount of sliced strawberries to make around 1 and 1/4 cups of chopped strawberries.
Do strawberries need to be refrigerated?
Yes, strawberries should be stored in a cool and dry place after you purchase them. Don’t keep the berries on the kitchen counter or near other produce since this may cause them to rot faster.
How does a vinegar wash for strawberries work?
It’s possible to get rid of more bacteria on your strawberries with vinegar since it contains acetic acid. Simply soak the fruit in a bowl of white distilled vinegar for 5 minutes. Then, rinse them off before eating or cooking them.
How to clean strawberries with salt?
You can clean strawberries with salt by adding a teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of cold water. Then, soak the fruit in the mixture for 5 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.
How to ripen strawberries?
It’s possible to hasten the ripening process for strawberries by placing them in a bowl and covering them with a paper towel. Then, put the bowl in a warm area such as on top of your refrigerator.
How many calories are in strawberries?
4 oz (100 g) of strawberries equals 33 calories, so it’s an ideal choice if you’re watching your calorie intake. Strawberries are also low in cholesterol and sodium, so they may be good for heart health, too.
How many carbs are in strawberries?
4 oz (100 g) of strawberries include around 0.28 oz (8 g) of carbohydrates.
Can cats eat strawberries?
Unfortunately, your cat will likely vomit after eating strawberries. This is because the fruit contains a high amount of sugar and fiber which can upset the kitty’s stomach.
Can guinea pigs eat strawberries?
Guinea pigs love strawberries but only in small amounts. You never want to feed your furry friend too much sugar, so be sure to limit the amount of fruit you put in its cage.
Can bearded dragons eat strawberries?
Yes, you can feed strawberries to your bearded dragon but only as a small treat. This is because the fruit contains too much sugar and vitamin C to be consumed daily, so it’s best to give your pet these treats no more than once or twice per week.
How to make strawberry jam?
Making strawberry jam is a great way to bring out the fruit’s natural sweetness. Here are some easy steps to making your own batch:
- Clean and remove the stems from 12 cups of strawberries.
- Next, crush the berries into a pulp using a food mill or sieve.
- In a bowl, mix 3 cups of sugar with 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
- Add the strawberry pulp to the bowl and mix everything.
- Pour the mixture into a saucepan and heat it.
- Cook for around 15 minutes, stirring frequently so that it doesn’t burn.
- Then, put your jam in jars and seal them well before storing them in your refrigerator for later use.
How to Store Strawberries – Final Thoughts
Strawberries are a delicious and healthy fruit that you can eat raw or include in your desserts. To ensure that your strawberries last as long as possible, remember to store them in a cool and dry place.
You should also keep the fruit away from other produce since it can cause these items to spoil faster. Make sure to follow our guidelines above, and you’ll be able to enjoy this mouthwatering fruit for a long time.
What are your favorite tips and tricks for storing strawberries? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.