Rinse strawberries quickly under cool water
Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels
Remove stems and any damaged berries
Choose a freezing method:
Whole: Freeze berries as-is after drying
Sliced: Slice strawberries before freezing
Halved/mashed: Halve or mash if you plan to use them for smoothies or sauces
Arrange berries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Freeze until firm (about 2–4 hours)
Transfer to freezer-safe bags or airtight containers
Remove excess air from bags (or seal tightly in containers)
Label with date and use-by information
Freeze at 0°F / -18°C or lower
Use within:
Best quality: 6–12 months
Longer storage is possible but quality may decline
Thaw options:
Refrigerator thaw overnight
For cooking: thaw briefly or use directly from frozen