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How to freeze blueberries- a simple step by step tutorial with photos that shows you how to freeze fresh blueberries and enjoy them all year round!
Can you freeze blueberries?
Blueberry season is way too short if you ask me. We love to load up on blueberries when they're in season and on sale and stock up the freezer so we can enjoy them year round.
Blueberries are one of the healthiest fruits out there! They are packed with antioxidants (aka: help prevent cancer and aging), vitamin C and fiber. They are low in calories but are sweet and delicious.
Step one: rinse your blueberries. Rinse gently in a colander under tap water for 20-30 seconds.
Step two: drain excess water. Allow to air dry on an absorbant towel for a few minutes. You can place another towel on top and gently rub the berries to remove water droplets. When it comes to freezing, water = freezer burn, so we want to dry our blueberries before freezing.
Step three: place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Don't overcrowd the pan. Pick out any stems or berries with mildew.
Step four: freeze for 3-4 hours.
Step five: transfer to a freezer bag, labelled with the contents & date. Always label! You would be surprised how hard it can be to see what's in the bags once frozen. To remove extra air from the bag, you can use a straw to suck it out.
Step six: freeze for up to 1 year.
Thawing
You don't have to thaw blueberries for many recipes (pancakes, smoothies, etc.), but it's up to you! Some thawing techniques release more or less liquid, so here's how you can decide how to thaw yours:
Want them more plump, like for eating on their own or stirring into baked goods? Thaw the bag in cold water.
Need your blueberries to release more juice, like for a sauce or ice cream topping? Thaw the blueberries in the microwave, just 30-second increments with a little stir.
Freezing Blueberries FAQs
Do I need to wash my blueberries before freezing them?
Yes, it's highly recommended that you do rinse them down before freezing them.
Do I need to thaw my blueberries before using them?
This really depends on what you're using them for. Smoothies and many baked goods such as muffins and even pancakes do not require blueberries to be thawed, and you can put them straight in frozen. If you are serving in a meal prep breakfast like over steel cut oats or parfaits you can simply portion them out into the containers with the other ingredients. They will thaw in the fridge overnight.
How do you thaw frozen blueberries?
The best way to thaw frozen blueberries is either to let them sit at room temperature, or to place the entire freezer bag in some cold water. This way, they will thaw gently and release less liquid. You can also thaw them in the microwave, but be warned they will release some liquid and will get juicy. This is not necessarily a bad thing when the blueberries will be used in a sauce or served over ice cream 😉
Do frozen blueberries have antioxidants?
YES. New research suggests that freezing your blueberries actually increases the availability of antioxidants from blueberries. How cool is that?
How do I prevent frozen blueberries from sinking to the bottom of my baked goods?
Tossing your frozen blueberries in some flour helps to keep them from sinking!
How long do frozen blueberries last?
Frozen blueberries stay delicious and juicy for about a year! They are perfectly fine to consume past that, but they lose their flavor.
Hi, I'm Annie. With a Bachelor of Science degree, a minor in nutrition and nearly 20 year of both classical training, and self-taught experience, I've spent my career proving that home cooking can be practical, delicious and inspiring. What started in 2013 as one food blog has grown into a full-time business. Today, my husband Clayton and I run five food websites that connect with millions of home cooks every month.
When I'm not in the kitchen or behind the camera, I'm using fueling my love of travel, or chasing down new ideas that keep food fun and fresh.
I left a comment on your post regarding cleaning berries with water and vinegar. I mentioned that I've frozen berries before but when I go to use them I can't do so like they were fresh. If I follow the instructions here (freezing on a baking sheet before putting them in a bag) will I be able to use them like fresh berries once I've thawed them? I make Pavlova a lot. Having fresh berries is a must. I don't mind using frozen berries in breads or even making them into a jam but my family is small so using them that way isn't always the best for me. Hope to hear back from you soon. Thanks for your time...
Hi Tammie! Unfortunately after freezing berries, they will always soften and release some juices...however I have found when freezing blueberries, that they do stay more firm than other berries, and more firm than the blueberries I purchase in the frozen bags. I hope this helps!
Thank you Denise! My husband picked a bucket full of blueberries in the mountains of North Carolina this past weekend and I had no idea what to do with them.
Tammie says
I left a comment on your post regarding cleaning berries with water and vinegar. I mentioned that I've frozen berries before but when I go to use them I can't do so like they were fresh. If I follow the instructions here (freezing on a baking sheet before putting them in a bag) will I be able to use them like fresh berries once I've thawed them? I make Pavlova a lot. Having fresh berries is a must. I don't mind using frozen berries in breads or even making them into a jam but my family is small so using them that way isn't always the best for me. Hope to hear back from you soon. Thanks for your time...
Denise Bustard says
Hi Tammie! Unfortunately after freezing berries, they will always soften and release some juices...however I have found when freezing blueberries, that they do stay more firm than other berries, and more firm than the blueberries I purchase in the frozen bags. I hope this helps!
Kathy ruffin says
I have 2 bushes of blueberries. I always wanted to freeze them and thanks to you I can now.
Denise Bustard says
Yay! I bet you'll love having your own frozen blueberries! So much better than the store bought frozen berries. Thanks, Kathy!
Kim L Honeycutt says
Thank you Denise! My husband picked a bucket full of blueberries in the mountains of North Carolina this past weekend and I had no idea what to do with them.
Denise says
I'm so happy this was helpful, Kim! Enjoy those blueberries!