How do you thaw frozen strawberries?

Aldebaran · Mar 18, 2020

I just started buying strawberries and discovered that I like them very much and that they are very nutritious. The store had them on sale, so I bought a few packages and put 2 of them in the freezer because they don't keep in the fridge very long. Now I took 5 strawberries out of one of the frozen packages and put them in a separate package in the crisper drawer of the fridge to thaw overnight. I tried eating them today but they were terrible! Very mushy and tasteless!

I then went online and googled how to safely thaw frozen strawberries, but everything I found made it sound like there was nothing more to it than what I already did. But I doubt mushy and tasteless is what they're supposed to be after thawing. I can't imagine anyone wanting to eat them that way.

Any ideas? I just want to be able to freeze them so they'll last longer, and then thaw them later and have them taste as good as they would have been before being frozen. I'm assuming someone here in the gardening forum must know.

BTW, I've also tried freezing/thawing blueberries and had the same mushy result.

JackRT · Mar 18, 2020

I always thought that exposing them to above freezing temperatures would be sufficient.

.Mikha'el. · Mar 18, 2020

I would just leave them on your kitchen counter for a while.

ReesePiece23 · Mar 18, 2020

Personally, I'd put them in a lunch box, snap the lid on tight, then submerge the box in water.

It's how I've defrosted meat and stuff in the past.

Aussie Pete · Mar 18, 2020

Aldebaran said:
I just started buying strawberries and discovered that I like them very much and that they are very nutritious. The store had them on sale, so I bought a few packages and put 2 of them in the freezer because they don't keep in the fridge very long. Now I took 5 strawberries out of one of the frozen packages and put them in a separate package in the crisper drawer of the fridge to thaw overnight. I tried eating them today but they were terrible! Very mushy and tasteless!

I then went online and googled how to safely thaw frozen strawberries, but everything I found made it sound like there was nothing more to it than what I already did. But I doubt mushy and tasteless is what they're supposed to be after thawing. I can't imagine anyone wanting to eat them that way.

Any ideas? I just want to be able to freeze them so they'll last longer, and then thaw them later and have them taste as good as they would have been before being frozen. I'm assuming someone here in the gardening forum must know.

BTW, I've also tried freezing/thawing blueberries and had the same mushy result.

I await the response with interest. I have the same issue.

~Anastasia~ · Mar 18, 2020

You can’t freeze strawberries and then thaw them and have them be exactly like they were fresh. I can’t think of any soft fruits you can do that with.

You can freeze them, but you will need to plan to use them another way. They can go in pies, or jam, or smoothies, etc. In fact, it’s best to decide before you freeze them and do it in the best way. Sometimes you might want to add sugar, or liquify them a bit (or add liquid).

I usually use fresh strawberries that have been frozen plain (preferably as fast as possible) by putting them in a smoothie.

Hazelelponi · Mar 18, 2020

Aldebaran said:
I just started buying strawberries and discovered that I like them very much and that they are very nutritious. The store had them on sale, so I bought a few packages and put 2 of them in the freezer because they don't keep in the fridge very long. Now I took 5 strawberries out of one of the frozen packages and put them in a separate package in the crisper drawer of the fridge to thaw overnight. I tried eating them today but they were terrible! Very mushy and tasteless!

I then went online and googled how to safely thaw frozen strawberries, but everything I found made it sound like there was nothing more to it than what I already did. But I doubt mushy and tasteless is what they're supposed to be after thawing. I can't imagine anyone wanting to eat them that way.

Any ideas? I just want to be able to freeze them so they'll last longer, and then thaw them later and have them taste as good as they would have been before being frozen. I'm assuming someone here in the gardening forum must know.

BTW, I've also tried freezing/thawing blueberries and had the same mushy result.

There's no real remedy. If your sealing using a vacuum sealer, and freezing very quickly... (i.e. sub zero works best or at least zero, something your average freezer isn't capable of) the best result is the best result. Some things freeze better than others. I always had excellent results freezing fresh vegetables but poorer results with most fresh fruits.

I don't freeze strawberries at all, and prefer fresh even for pies and desserts. I will use frozen blueberries in muffins and other baked goods mixed with dried. YMMV.

Der Alte · Mar 18, 2020

The same way you thaw frozen turkey place it in the refrigerator overnight.

Blade · Mar 18, 2020

Guessing microwave is a bad idea lol .. there goes mine. haha

Heavenhome · Mar 18, 2020

I don't think frozen berries are any good other than for juices, smoothies or cooking.

The flavour and texture of the natural fruit is just not there.

.Mikha'el. · Mar 18, 2020

Blade said:
Guessing microwave is a bad idea lol .. there goes mine. haha

I guess it could work, but my experience is that it tends to go too far and the end result is a mess of warm and slightly mushy berries.

~Anastasia~ · Mar 18, 2020

They are going to be mushy to some degree whatever you do. Unless you dehydrate them instead of freezing.

Aldebaran · Mar 18, 2020

Der Alter said:
The same way you thaw frozen turkey place it in the refrigerator overnight.

Well, that's what I did, but the strawberries ended up mushy. Turkey doesn't do that.

Aldebaran · Mar 18, 2020

~Anastasia~ said:
You can’t freeze strawberries and then thaw them and have them be exactly like they were fresh. I can’t think of any soft fruits you can do that with.

You can freeze them, but you will need to plan to use them another way. They can go in pies, or jam, or smoothies, etc. In fact, it’s best to decide before you freeze them and do it in the best way. Sometimes you might want to add sugar, or liquify them a bit (or add liquid).

I usually use fresh strawberries that have been frozen plain (preferably as fast as possible) by putting them in a smoothie.

I guess eating them individually after they've been frozen isn't going to be an option then. That's what I got them for, but I guess I'll have to just buy what I can use in a week, and no more.

Aldebaran · Mar 18, 2020

JackRT said:
I always thought that exposing them to above freezing temperatures would be sufficient.

That works to thaw them, but it doesn't fix the issue of the strawberries becoming mushy and tasteless.

coffee4u · Mar 18, 2020

The only way that I use frozen berries is in a smoothie, I don't let them thaw but take them directly from the freezer and use them. Berries defrost into a mushy lump as you have discovered.

Aldebaran · Mar 18, 2020

coffee4u said:
The only way that I use frozen berries is in a smoothie, I don't let them thaw but take them directly from the freezer and use them. Berries defrost into a mushy lump as you have discovered.

Do they lose their nutrients when they become mushy like that?

coffee4u · Mar 18, 2020

Well they are not defrosted so it becomes like a slushy drink rather than mushy. I drink it fresh so I shouldn't think it looses any nutrients?

Water, whey milk powder, frozen berries (any kind) and stevia drops for sweetening. If I am being very good I add some other oils like flaxseed but I don't care for that too much.

d taylor · Mar 18, 2020

As long as they are not a real hard freeze, i eat any blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, pineapple frozen.

mama2one · Mar 18, 2020

have a pkg of Dole frozen strawberries & blueberries

it says thaw desired amt on plate at room temp for approx 30 min OR place in microwave-safe dish and thaw on defrost for 1 min

How do you thaw frozen strawberries?

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