Strawberry Puree + How To Make, Use, and Freeze It

Homemade strawberry puree is a simple blend of strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. There’s no cooking required. And it’s ready in 5 minutes! It’s a perfect way to add summer vibes to all your favorite drinks. Use it right away or freeze it to preserve peak-season strawberries. 

I like to make a few batches of strawberry puree every year. It’s a quick and easy way to preserve fresh, ripe strawberries! In our family, we like to enjoy some fresh, then freeze the rest to eat throughout the year. There are so many ways to use strawberry puree! You’ll never need to buy store-bought puree for your cocktails or mocktails again. 

You’ll love adding it to summer drinks, like lemonade. It makes a perfect addition to smoothies or milkshakes. It’s a tasty topping for breakfast foods. It makes the best strawberry fruit dip, and you can even use it in baked goods.  Make this as soon as you get your hands on some fresh strawberries. You’ll never look back. 

Ingredients for strawberry puree

This is best made with fresh, ripe, peak-of-the-season strawberries. I love making a big batch of this and freezing it for later.

Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps preserve the color of the berries.

Lemon Juice helps keep the strawberries fresh and brings out their flavor. Fresh squeezed and bottled both work.

How to make strawberry puree with fresh strawberries

You will need a blender or food processor.

Blend the 3 ingredients together until smooth. That’s it!

Freezing strawberry puree

Method 1: Freeze in freezer-safe jars

Freezing in jars will keep longer than the other methods. This method protects the puree from oxidation. I find that 4-8 ounce jars work best for this.

How to do it: Fill sterilized, freezer-safe jars with strawberry puree. Leave half an inch of space at the top. Screw on the jar lid and freeze for up to 1 year. Thaw in the fridge overnight before use.

Method 2: Freeze in ice cube molds

Strawberry puree cubes will not stay fresh as long as the jar method. But they are so convenient and fun to use! The frozen cubes will keep in a sealed freezer bag for about 3 months. Strawberry season is in June here. Make these when strawberries are in season. Then, use them throughout the summer! 

How to do it: Fill ice cube trays with the fresh strawberry puree and place in the freezer until frozen solid. Transfer to a sealable freezer bag. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible. Add to drinks in place of regular ice cubes. Or blend them into frozen drinks.

Method 3: Make popsicles

Pour the puree into popsicle molds and freeze until frozen solid. Enjoy them as soon as they are frozen. If you aren’t ready to eat them immediately, you can transfer them to a freezer bag and eat them within 3 months. 

How to use strawberry puree

There are countless ways to use strawberry puree. If you have a few jars of it in the freezer, you can have fresh, peak-of-season strawberry flavor all year! Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it.

Make strawberry cocktails

If your favorite cocktail calls for a store-bought strawberry puree mix, throw that out the window. Use this DIY homemade version instead! Here are a few ideas for making strawberry cocktails.

• Use it in place of strawberries and simple syrup when making a strawberry daiquiri.
• Add a spoonful to a mimosa for a strawberry twist!
• Make a Rossini. Mix it with prosecco or champagne.
• Use it in place of simple syrup and strawberries in a strawberry margarita.

Add it to non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails

• Make a strawberry basil spritzer mocktail. Add several cubes of frozen strawberry puree to a tall glass. Add a few torn leaves of fresh basil. Top with carbonated water, and enjoy. I love my shatterproof hurricane glass for this!
• Mix it with lemon-lime soda (like Sprite) and top with a maraschino cherry.
• Add it to lemonade.
• Blend it into homemade milkshakes.
• Blend it into smoothies.
• Make a strawberry daiquiri mocktail.

Use it as a topping or add-in

• Make the best 3-ingredient strawberry cream cheese dip
• Spoon it over pancakes or waffles.
• Use it as an oatmeal topping.
• Drizzle it over pound cake.
• Mix it with yogurt and granola.

Use it in recipes for baked goods.

Many strawberry cake, cookie, and bar recipes use strawberry puree as a base. For most uses, this easy puree does not need to be cooked.

Pro-tip! If you’re using it in baking, pay close attention to your recipe. If it calls for cooking the puree, don’t skip it. When baking, always follow the recipe!

Where to find the best strawberries

• Grow them yourself! Strawberries are surprisingly easy to grow from plant starts or bare roots! 
• Visit a local farm or a farmers market! If you have trouble finding one, check out www.usdalocalfoodportal.com/
• Be on the lookout in the late spring. You may find them at local produce stands or roadside pop-ups. One of our rural grocery stores even sources seasonal strawberries from one of our local farms! 

More ways to use fresh strawberries

• Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad
• Red, White, and Blue Trifle
• Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris
• Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

What’s your favorite way to enjoy strawberry puree? Let me know in the comments!

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