How To Preserve Strawberries

In this guide, you’ll learn How To Preserve Strawberries, a favorite fruit of many! Between dehydrating, canning, and freezing, there are plenty of ways to preserve this fruit for months of sweetness!

Preserving Guide: How To Preserve Strawberries

There’s nothing quite like the sweet, juicy burst of a perfectly ripe strawberry! But with their short season and delicate nature, it’s hard to keep a bushel fresh for very long… Which makes knowing how to preserve strawberries properly an incredibly helpful skill!

Whether you’ve picked too many at the u-pick farm or found an amazing deal at the grocery store, these preservation methods will ensure none of your precious strawberries go to waste the next time summer rolls around!

When To Harvest Strawberries

They should be harvested when fully red.

How To Store Strawberries

Store fresh strawberries in the refrigerator.

Dehydrating Strawberries

• CUT: Wash and drain
• DIPPING: No treatment necessary
• DEHYDRATOR: 24-36 hours
• APPEARANCE WHEN DRY: pliable, leathery

Canning Strawberries

QUANTITY: 7.5-9 pounds

PREPARE STRAWBERRIES:

• Wash strawberries under cold water; drain.
• Remove stems and caps.
• Leave strawberries whole.

CANNING STRAWBERRIES:

1. Measure strawberries. For each quart of strawberries, measure 1⁄2 cup sugar.
2. Combine strawberries and sugar in a large saucepan, stirring to coat strawberries with sugar.
3. Let stand in refrigerator 5 to 6 hours.
4. Heat strawberry mixture slowly over medium heat, stirring to prevent sticking, until sugar dissolves and strawberries are hot throughout.
5. Pack hot strawberries and juice into a hot jar, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.
6. Remove air bubbles.
7. Clean jar rim. Adjust lids.
8. Process in a Boiling Water Bath – 10 minutes for pints, 15 minutes for quarts.

Freezing Strawberries

PREPARING STRAWBERRIES

• Select fully ripe, firm berries with a deep red color.
• Discard immature and defective fruit.
• Wash and remove caps.

WHOLE BERRIES SYRUP PACK

1. Put berries into containers and cover with cold 50 percent syrup, leaving headspace.
2. Seal and freeze.

WHOLE BERRIES SUGAR PACK

1. Add 3⁄4 cup sugar to 1 quart (1-1/3 pounds) strawberries and mix thoroughly.
2. Stir until most of the sugar is dissolved or let stand for 15 minutes.
3. Put into containers, leaving headspace.
4. Seal and freeze.

SLICED OR CRUSHED

1. Prepare for packing as for whole strawberries; then slice or crush partially or completely.
2. To 1 quart (1-1/3 pounds) berries add 3⁄4 cup sugar; mix thoroughly.
3. Stir until most of the sugar is dissolved or let stand for 15 minutes.
4. Pack into containers, leaving headspace.
5. Seal and freeze.