How to Thaw Frozen Strawberries

Want to know how to thaw frozen strawberries quickly and properly?

Then you’re definitely in the right place.

Because today, I’m going to show you the different methods that I have used over the years to defrost strawberries along with in depth step-by-step instructions for each method.

So let us get right into it.

What to Know Before Thawing Frozen Strawberries

Before you thaw frozen strawberries, there are a couple things you should know that are pretty important.

Let us take a look at each one below.

1. The Texture Will Change

The main thing that will stand out once frozen strawberries have thawed, is that it will not be as firm as when they were fresh (like defrosted berries).

The texture they’ll have will be really soft, mushy and runny.

The main reason for this is that strawberries lose their turgor once they are frozen. When the strawberry freezes, the water in the fruit turns into ice crystals, which puncture the berry’s cell walls.

This essentially causes them to leak (hence being runny) and they won’t be as firm, which results in them being soft and mushy.

2. Don’t Thaw Fully

If you do not like the soft and mushy texture of thawed strawberries, then a way to maintain the fruit’s firmness is to not let them defrost fully.

By leaving some amount of ice in the fruit, you will find that the strawberries will still be firm, but soft enough to eat.

3. Manage Expectations

The biggest take away is to manage your expectations as it relates to thawed frozen strawberries.

They will never be the same as strawberries that are fresh, but they can be used in so many different ways.

Frozen strawberries are best used as a cold snack, in smoothies or in recipes that call for strawberries such as cakes, mousses etc.

3 Best Ways to Thaw Frozen Strawberries

The best way to thaw frozen strawberries ultimately comes down to time.

You have three options available to you, these are:

• Overnight in the refrigerator
• Cold Water Bath
• Microwave

Let us take a more detailed look at each one below.

1. Overnight in the Refrigerator

If you are not in a rush, you can always thaw your frozen strawberries overnight in the refrigerator.

While it is not the quickest method, you can be sure that they will be fully defrosted and ready to be used the next morning.

The instructions below, can be used on a full bag of frozen strawberries or individual portions.

Steps:

1. Remove the bag of frozen strawberries from the freezer, 8 – 12 hours before you plan on using them.
2. Place the fruit in a bowl.
3. Take the bowl of strawberries and place in the refrigerator.
4. Allow the fruit to thaw overnight (it should take 6-12 hours).
5. The next morning, check to see if they have thawed, if so, remove and use.

2. Microwave

The microwave is a quick way to defrost strawberries and it is great to use if you are in a rush.

You should note that if you leave the strawberries too long in the microwave, there is a possibility that it could start to cook them.

This is why you should always monitor the fruit as it thaws.

The instructions below are for an individual serving of frozen strawberries.

Steps:

1. Place paper towels on a microwave-safe plate or container
2. Remove a handful of frozen strawberries from the freezer and place on the plate.
3. Microwave using the defrost or low power settings for 30 seconds (might be less, depending on how much fruit).
4. Check to see if the strawberries have thawed to your liking, if not, then microwave them in five second intervals until they have defrosted.

3. Cold Water Bath

Another quick defrosting method to consider is only using the frozen strawberries in a cold water bath.

There are two variations to this method and we will look at both of them in detail below.

Submerging in Cold Water

1. Fill a bowl or kitchen sink with cold water.
2. Take the sealed package or remove the fruit you need and place in a sealable plastic bag and submerge in the cold water.
3. Let the submerged bag of fruit sit in the cold water for 30 minutes or longer (depends on how much strawberries you are thawing).
4. The water should be changed every 15 minutes, until the fruit is defrosted.

Place Under Running Cold Water

1. Fill a container with cold water.
2. Submerge the bag of fruit in the container.
3. Turn on the kitchen faucet and allow the cold water to run over the package.
4. The bag should be moved around every minute or so to ensure that every part of the bag is exposed to the water from the faucet.

While this is an effective and quicker way to thaw a bag of frozen strawberries quickly, the main reason why we do not recommend it is that wastes a lot of water.

Wrapping it up

As you can see, there are a couple effective methods that can be used to properly thaw frozen strawberries.

While the thawed strawberries won’t have the same texture or firmness like ones that are fresh, they are an ideal choice for jams, toppings a cold snack and much more.

Now, I want to hear from you.

Which method are you going to be using today? Did you try any methods from the list and if so how did your thawed strawberries turn out?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment below.

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