Freezing berries is one of my favorite ways to preserve their fresh, vibrant flavors all year round. For several decades now, I've been freezing the berries we pick from local farms. So I compiled this comprehensive guide on how to freeze blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries effectively.
Because nothing beats making delicious baked goods year-round with berries you froze during their peak freshness!
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My family and I pick pounds upon pounds of fresh blueberries every year from local blueberry farms here in Oregon. Then I spend a whole weekend sorting, washing, drying, and freezing all those blueberries.
And wherever there are blueberry bushes, there are often raspberry and blackberry bushes nearby to also forage from. In fact, we have so many Himalayan blackberry bushes near our home, since they are an invasive species. They also make excellent pies... 🙂
Whether you've picked berries yourself, bought them at the farmer's market, or stumbled upon a bargain sale at the store, knowing how to properly freeze blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries ensures you can enjoy these delicious fruits whenever you desire.
How to Freeze Berries: Blueberries, Raspberries & Blackberries
Below are the steps I've followed to expertly freeze blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries ever since I was a baby. Yes, a literal two year-old out there picking berries! :p
1. Pick the Best Berries
Choose fresh berries either in the store, at the farmer's market, or on a shrub that are firm, plump, and free of mold or soft spots. If you notice any that are damaged or moldy, remove and discard those.
2. Wash the Berries
Place the berries in a large colander or large mesh strainer and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or pesticides. Discard any leaves and stems.
Pro Tip: Be gentle when rinsing your berries to avoid squishing them.
3. Fully Dry the Berries
Spread out your washed berries in a single layer on clean kitchen towels either on your counter or on baking sheets.
The benefit of placing them on baking sheets is that you can easily move them if you need to free up counter space.
Allow the berries to air dry completely for one day. Drying the berries is crucial to prevent them from clumping together into a giant solid mass once they freeze.
Pro Tip: Raspberries and blackberries can bleed their juice onto towels. Place those berries on paper towels rather than kitchen towels to avoid stains.
4. Initial Freeze: 2 to 4 Hours
Remove the towel and spread out your dry berries a single layer on a baking sheet or on a plate.
Place the baking sheet or plate in the freezer.
Freeze the berries for about 2 to 4 hours, until they are hard. This process is called flash freezing, and it ensures the berries are hard before you transfer them to a container or bag.
This prevents them them getting smashed or stuck together.
Pro Tip: You can line your baking sheet with parchment paper to make cleanup easier.
5. Long-Term Freeze: Up to 12 Months
Once the berries are completely frozen, transfer them to freezer bags or airtight containers.
Pro Tip: Remove as much air as possible from the bags before sealing them to prevent freezer burn.
Label your bags or containers with the date you froze them, so you can keep track of how long they've been in your freezer.
Pro Tip: I used to use sandwich bags, but they often ended up tearing. I recommend getting freezer Ziploc bags that are made specifically for freezer storage, since they're thicker.
Freezing blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries is a pretty straightforward process that can significantly extend their shelf life. Since the berries can be picked during the peak of their season, you lock in their fruity flavor.
And with my pro tips, you can ensure your berries are always ready to use in your favorite recipes like smoothies, pie, and lemonade.
So cheers to enjoying the taste of summer all year long, by freezing your berries the right way! 🙂
Extra Tips on How to Freeze Strawberries
If you're freezing strawberries, you can follow my same tips on how to freeze blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
However, if your strawberries aren't quite ripe yet, be sure to read my post on how to ripen strawberries. You want your berries ripe and full of flavor before you freeze them.
Pro Tip: I recommend cutting off the green tops from strawberries before freezing them. They'll be easier to use in your recipes from frozen, since cutting frozen strawberries is very difficult.
Delicious Berry Recipe
1. Mixed Berry Pie with Frozen Berries
This delicious mixed berry pie with frozen berries can be made year-round! Frozen berries are cooked and thickened before baking, to prevent your pie filling from being runny. The sweet and slightly tart berry pie filling is encased in a flaky, buttery pie crust for pie perfection.
2. Blueberry Torte with Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
This delicious blueberry torte is made with a crunchy cake base that's topped with a tangy layer of whipped cream cheese. Then a homemade mixture blueberry & lemon is added on top for the perfect fruity-tangy-buttery dessert.
3. Strawberry Blueberry Pie
This scrumptious strawberry blueberry pie is bursting with fruity and citrusy flavors, along with warmth from cinnamon. The crust is buttery and flaky, while the berry filling is sweet, tangy, and perfectly delicious!
4. Vegan Frozen Yogurt without Bananas
This delicious berry vegan frozen yogurt is made with just 5 simple ingredients! Plus you can make it without an ice cream machine! Enjoy this cool, refreshing sweet treat any time, since you can store it in the freezer for up to a month!
5. Green Avocado Smoothie Bowl
This creamy green avocado smoothie bowl is vegan, nutritious, and packed with healthy fats and vitamins! Get a few servings of vegetables into your morning routine with ease!
6. Blueberry Almond Butter Oatmeal
It's easy to fall into a boring slump of bland oatmeal or sugary cereal for breakfast. But you'll be looking forward to this healthy bowl of blueberry almond butter oatmeal before you even go to bed! This creamy, salty-sweet bowl of oats is the perfect way to fuel your body for the day ahead.
7. Lattice Strawberry Pie
This all pink strawberry pie is sweetened with brown sugar & brightened with a pop of citrus from orange juice & zest. For more fun, bake it in a naturally-dyed pie crust made with dragon fruit powder! And while I originally made this pie with fresh strawberries, you can easily swap out frozen strawberries.
8. Blueberry Lavender Lemonade
Sweet blueberries, tart lemon, and floral lavender are the perfect combination for a cool & refreshing drink in this blueberry lavender lemonade. It's perfect for hot summer days, when you're craving a cold, sweet refreshment!
9. Gluten Free Blueberry Pie
This pie is best with fresh blueberries, which add a sweet and fruity flavor to this perfect summer pie. Homemade flaky, buttery pie crust is made with gluten free flour in this crowd-pleasing gluten free blueberry pie. And you can impress everyone by creating a beautiful lattice design on top!
10. Strawberry Baked Oatmeal with Caramel
This delicious and easy recipe for strawberry baked oatmeal with caramel sauce is the best breakfast to wake up to in the morning! Top it all with fresh strawberries and a generous drizzle of vegan caramel sauce or maple syrup.
I'm eggcited to hear from you :)