As soon as you bring your strawberries home, remove them from the original packaging. Set aside any that are bruised or crushed. These are best eaten right away or frozen.
Place the remaining strawberries in an airtight container lined with paper towels, spreading them out so that there’s a bit of space between them.
If you need to, cover the first layer with paper toweling and place a second layer of strawberries. Top with paper toweling and seal the container.
Store the strawberries in the fridge until ready to use.
To wash strawberries
You don’t want to wash your strawberries until you’re ready to use them. The added moisture from washing them will hasten their decay.
When you’re ready to use them, place the berries in a large bowl. Spray them generously with white vinegar and fill the bowl with cool water.
When you’re ready to use them, place the berries in a large bowl. Spray them generously with white vinegar and fill the bowl with cool water.
Drain the strawberries well on a cloth towel or paper toweling and pat them dry. Serve them immediately or use them in your recipes.
To freeze strawberries
Core the washed strawberries by inserting a small knife into the top of the berry and cut around the leafy core. Remove the core and discard.
Depending on how you want to use the strawberries after freezing, slice, halve, quarter, or leave them whole.
Place the prepared berries on a lined sheet pan and place it in the freezer until the strawberries are frozen solid.
Once the strawberries are frozen solid, place them in an airtight container or ziptop freezer bag, labeled with the date. Store them in the deep freezer for up to 1 year.
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Notes
Nutritional values are approximate and based on 4 ounces of strawberries.To use frozen strawberries, just add them to your smoothie or slushie. Or thaw to use them in jello salads like Pretzel Berry Dessert or in sauces or jams, like this Raspberry Sauce Recipe that you can sub in strawberries for the raspberries. Thawed strawberries lose their firm texture, so they aren’t ideal for eating like fresh strawberries.As long as the strawberry hasn’t started to mold, they are good to eat. However, their firm texture will lessen and they’ll become soft and mushy. Once their shininess fades, it’s a good time to bake with them or freeze for future smoothies. You can also make a strawberry puree to use in Strawberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream or Pink Lemonade.