By Brittany Gibson | Feb 7, 2024
The most important step to make strawberries left is actually to know the best time to pick the strawberries. Everything after that is a bonus!
Washing the strawberries introduces excess moisture, which can lead to mold growth and a shorter shelf life. The excess moisture creates an environment where mold spores thrive, causing the berries to spoil more quickly. To keep those juicy berries fresh for longer, it’s best to refrain from washing them until you’re ready to use them. This simple step can make a big difference in maintaining the quality of your strawberries and reducing food waste.
Keeping unwashed strawberries stored in the original packaging or the crate they came in is the best way to keep strawberries fresh in the fridge.
Sometimes we cannot help ourselves. Our family might be more likely to eat already washed and/or cut strawberries if they are ready to go, and I totally get that!
Dry them completely and put them in a glass air-tight container lined with a paper towel.
there are several Longer-Term Storage options
First, cut the strawberries into halves or quarters. You CAN freeze whole strawberries, but I find them harder to use when I want to make smoothies. Next, lay the freshly picked strawberries flat on a cookie sheet to let them freeze individually. After they are frozen solid, usually in about 2 hours, transfer them into the freezer bags, making sure to remove excess air before sealing.
Dehydrating and Canning will allow you to enjoy your freshly picked strawberries all year long!
Get creative and think outside the box for how to use your fresh berries!