What to do with Fresh Picked Strawberries: 19 Delectable Recipes and Ideas

Fresh strawberries are easy to prepare. And then you can enjoy them on their own or in all kinds of delicious recipes! Be sure to wait until you're ready to eat the strawberries before you wash and prepare them, though. They'll last longer in the refrigerator if you don't wash and cut them first. Scroll down to how to store fresh picked strawberries to learn more.

How to Prepare Fresh Strawberries

1. Rinse your strawberries under running water and remove any dirt or debris that you see.
2. Dry the strawberries on a clean paper towel or dish cloth.
3. Hull the strawberries using a paring knife or a straw. Learn how here!

Unless you plan to eat your strawberries the day you pick them (in which case, good for you!), you’ll want to know how to keep them fresh for a few days.

The best way to store fresh picked strawberries is in the refrigerator.

Don’t wash them before storing them (they’ll soak up the water and rot faster). Don’t remove the stems, either.

Simply place in a paper-towel-lined container in the crisper drawer. If you notice one strawberry getting mushy, toss it out to preserve the others in your batch.

How long are fresh picked strawberries good for? When stored in the refrigerator, they can last up to a week. However, it’s best to use them sooner in case they don’t last that long. If you can't use your strawberries within a week, freeze them for later!

Need some ideas for what to do with fresh picked strawberries? Read on!

If you won't be able to eat your fresh strawberries before they go bad, freezing them is a great option. It's also very easy to freeze fresh strawberries. Here's how --

First, rinse (but don't soak) and hull the strawberries.

Option 1

1. Leave fruit whole.
2. Flash freeze on a cookie sheet for 24 hours.
3. Place berries in a freezer bag (be sure to label it) and freeze.

1. Cut berries in half.
2. Lightly sprinkle with sugar.
3. Place berries in a freezer bag (be sure to label it) and freeze.

Fresh strawberries are made for blending into drinks of all kinds.

There’s truly nothing better than sipping on a fresh, chilled strawberry drink on a hot summer day.

Relax on the porch with your lemonade, smoothie, iced tea, or sangria, and let your worries fade away while you enjoy one of these delicious drinks with fresh strawberries.

We wish we could make all of these every single summer (and we might try).

When many people think “fresh strawberries,” they think “fresh strawberry jam.” What a great thought! Strawberries are a perfect fruit for homemade jam. They cook down into a smooth texture and have an ideal sweet-and-tart flavor. Plus, those little jars of bright red jam are too cute. You can also use the jam in a variety of desserts, like these Jam Thumbprint Cookies!

You can also make fresh strawberry sauce, which is delicious on ice cream, pancakes, pound cake, and in many other treats. Why buy toppings like this at the store, when you can make your own using fresh fruit?

Plus, this is a great way to use up fresh strawberries. Making the fresh berries into jams and sauces will ensure that you can enjoy them for weeks to come (or even longer!).

Finally, it’s time for dessert!

For many of us, a a bowl of fresh picked strawberries topped with whipped cream is dessert enough. There’s something incredible about that simple combination!

However, there are so many amazing strawberry dessert recipes. From fresh strawberry pie to strawberry jello recipes to strawberry shortcake, there are so many delicious treats to be made. We’ve gathered some of our favorites here, and we hope you’ll enjoy making each of them (although maybe not all at once)!

If you’re still wondering what to do with fresh picked strawberries, all you have to do is look through this list of desserts. You’ll find something amazing to make.