The best way to ensure that you have access to strawberries throughout the year is to freeze fresh strawberries at home while they are in season. This can be done in a matter of minutes and doesn’t require anything that’s not already available in just about everyone’s kitchen.
That said, common consensus suggests that freezing strawberries is not the best idea since it causes them to expand and get mushy due to the water present inside. But what if we told you there’s a way to freeze strawberries and keep them in fresh conditions for 6-8 months?
Intrigued? Here’s all you need to know about freezing strawberries with sugar.
Freezing Strawberries With Sugar – 2 Easy Ways
Below are two easy methods of freezing strawberries with sugar. Try these out!
#1. Sugar Pack Method of Freezing Strawberries
Things you need
Sugar
Mixing bowl
Plastic freezing bags or containers
Process
Remove the upper head and then slice your strawberries in halves or thirds.
Take a mixing bowl and mix 1 cup of sugar with 6 cups of strawberries.
Allow the mixture to sit for about 10 minutes so that the sugar gets dissolved in the strawberries and gets juicy.
After 10 minutes, pack the strawberries in a plastic freezer bag or other airtight container and store them in the freezer.
Make sure to leave about ½ inch of headspace while packing.
You can keep these sugar-coated strawberries in the freezer for 6 to 8 months.
That’s all there is to it, easy peasy!
#2. Light Syrup Pack Method of Freezing Strawberries
Things You Need
Medium-sized saucepan
Sugar
Water
Produce Protector (recommended- Fruit Fresh at Amazon.com)
Process
In a medium saucepan, mix 2 ¼ cups of sugar, 5 ¼ cups of water, and 1 tbsp of produce protector.
Cook the components on medium heat until the sugar gets dissolved and you get a syrup.
Once the syrup is ready, transfer it to a bowl or a container and keep it in the refrigerator to cool it down.
Place sliced strawberries into a freezer-safe plastic container.
Start pouring the syrup over the strawberries.
Make sure to leave at least ½ inch of headspace for expansion as it freezes.
With this method, your strawberries can remain frozen for 6 to 8 months.
Quick, easy, and delicious! A perfect way to have strawberries in the freezer year-round.
The Pros and Cons of Freezing Strawberries
There are, however, a few pros and cons associated with freezing strawberries that you should be aware of.
Pros Of Freezing Strawberries
Affordable: When compared to purchasing them out of season, buying strawberries during the season and freezing them at home is a far more cost-effective option.
Nutrients Stay Intact: If you choose to freeze strawberries, you don’t have to compromise on their nutritional value as the majority of the nutrients will be retained. In addition, freezing retards the growth of bacteria, molds, and yeasts that cause food spoilage.
Shape is Maintained: Freezing slows down the process of chemical changes that affect the quality of food. Thus, the shape of the strawberries and their quality is maintained when frozen.
No Preservatives Used: Freezing preserves the quality and freshness of strawberries naturally, which means it eliminates the need for any usage of artificial preservatives.
Cons Of Freezing Strawberries
Loss of Flavor: A lot of times, strawberries tend to lose their taste when frozen. This is why you freeze them along with sugar or syrup. If you wish to experience the true taste of strawberries, you’ll need to eat them when they are fresh.
Short-Term Storage: After several months of storage, it becomes increasingly likely that the strawberries will begin to deteriorate in quality. For the best taste and quality, you will want to eat your freezer strawberries within 3 or 4 months.
Surprise your kids with this delicious low-sugar strawberry jam that is very easy to make and is equal parts tasty and nutritious:
Making Strawberry Jam: What You’ll Need
¼ Cup Lemon Juice
5 Cups Strawberries
2 Cups Sugar
Large sized saucepan
A spatula
A glass container
Note- If you’d like more sweetness, you can add 3 cups (750g) of sugar.
Strawberry Jam Instructions
First, hull and mash 5 cups of strawberries in a large bowl.
Next, put the strawberries and 1 cup of sugar in a large saucepan.
Now, add ¼ cup of lemon juice to keep the sugar from turning into crystals.
Put the heat on medium and stir well until the sugar dissolves.
Continue to stir occasionally while letting the mixture come to a boil.
Keep stirring the mixture every 2 minutes to keep it from burning.
Continue boiling for another 10 minutes, or until the strawberries soften.
Mash the strawberries again until they are smooth and continue to cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and all of the foam goes away.
To see if the mixture is the right consistency, dip a cool metal spoon into it and make sure it doesn’t fall off (it needs to stick to the spoon).
Remove the jam from heat and allow it to cool.
Put the jam in a glass mason jar and put it in your fridge (or freezer for longer storage).
Lastly, spread your homemade strawberry jam on bread and enjoy!
Freezing Strawberries With Sugar – Parting Words
Freezing strawberries with sugar is a fantastic way to enjoy the fruit of summer all through the winter! I hope this article helped you learn about the different methods for freezing strawberries with sugar.
