Learn How To Freeze Blueberries to store and enjoy these delicious berries from the freezer year-round. Whether you’re planning to use frozen berries in smoothies, bake them into pies, or make your jam, this step-by-step tutorial recipe for freezing fresh blueberries is a fantastic way to preserve their flavor, save money and reap the benefits of this versatile fruit year long.
How To Freeze Blueberries. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.
That first taste of a farm-fresh blueberry in the middle of summer transports you to childhood when you enjoyed those fresh and juicy berries by the handful. Learn how to freeze blueberries to enjoy this magic all year round.
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When the blueberry season hits, and it’s time to make the most of those plump, juicy blueberries, don’t even think about letting them go to waste. With this simple guide, you’ll avoid having one giant clump of frozen berries. Instead, you’ll have perfectly portioned, individually frozen blueberries on hand that are a convenient addition to everything from morning smoothies to delicious baked oatmeal or fluffy blueberry pancakes.
Are Blueberries Keto?
You can enjoy blueberries on a keto diet, same as any of the low carb fruits, but you should consume them in moderation due to their natural sugar content. A half-cup serving of fresh blueberries contains around 9 grams of net carbs, making portion control essential for staying within your daily carb limit.
However, their high fiber content can help mitigate the impact of carbs on blood sugar levels.
Are Blueberries Acidic?
Blueberries are considered mildly acidic, with a typical pH of 3.1 to 3.5. This acidity gives blueberries their characteristic tangy flavor. While acidic, they are not excessively so and are generally well-tolerated by most people. Some individuals with sensitive stomachs might experience mild discomfort if consumed in large quantities.
However, the health benefits of blueberries, including their rich antioxidant content, vitamin C and potential anti-inflammatory properties, often outweigh their mild acidity.
If you have concerns about acidity, pairing blueberries with alkaline foods can help balance your overall diet.
How To Freeze Blueberries.
What Makes Freezing Fresh Blueberries Hard?
You will have issues if you toss your blueberries in the freezer. Even when you purchase store-bought frozen blueberries, they are often mushy when you thaw them.
Blueberries, like most fruits and veggies, are made up primarily of water. In fact, according to Healthline, blueberries are 84% water.
As water freezes, it expands, which bursts the cell walls, especially if they are already weak. When you thaw the blueberries, you end up with mush. Choosing suitable blueberries and using the proper technique helps retain more of the original flavor and texture you want.
What Are the Best Blueberries To Freeze?
The best blueberries to freeze are tiny, wild blueberries. They maintain their texture better than the larger blueberries in the grocery store. I always buy fresh wild blueberries towards the end of the summer and have them in my freezer throughout the year.
However, you can still successfully freeze the traditional blueberries you purchase. The key is to freeze them when you first buy them.
You want the freshest blueberries at the peak of summer ripeness when they are as firm as possible with no blemishes or signs of spoilage. Blueberry skin is the thickest and most structurally sound, which significantly helps.
How Should You Prep the Blueberries?
Wash the berries before freezing them gently in cool water. Warm or hot water will damage the skin and make them more prone to becoming mushy berries.
Be sure to pat them dry before you freeze them. Any moisture on the blueberry’s outside turns to ice, making them more prone to losing the texture you want to maintain.
The easiest way to do this is to place them on a double layer of paper towels, then gently use another paper towel to roll them to dry them thoroughly and carefully. Depending on how many blueberries you wash, you may need to change out your paper towels. Be gentle during this step, as you do not want to damage the blueberries.
Alternatively, you can set them on a double layer of paper towels and let them rest for 10 to 20 minutes, then change to new paper towels and ensure they dry completely.
You do not need to use all the fancy fruit and vegetable washes and sprays you can buy. Just water cleans them adequately, but you can also use three parts water mixed with one part vinegar, mix a tablespoon of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with a gallon of water, or combine a teaspoon of salt with a cup of water to clean your produce.
“I have three blueberry bushes, so I freeze a lot of berries. Just wash them in baking soda mixed with vinegar to get the dirt off. This also inhibits bacteria. Rinse them well and lay them out on a kitchen towel to dry.”
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for how to freeze blueberries, ensuring they’re ready to use whenever you need them before they freeze together. The same steps can be used to freeze berries like strawberries or raspberries.
Kitchen Gadgets Needed:
Paper Towel
Baking Sheet or Cookie Sheet
Parchment Paper
Zip Log Bags
Ingredients Needed:
Fresh Blueberries
Water
Baking Soda & Vinegar – optional
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO FREEZE YOUR BLUEBERRIES
First Step: Ingredients Needed
Prepare your blueberries. Freshest they are, the better they will taste after defrosting them.
You can also pick baking soda and vinegar for an extra wash.
Freeze blueberries
Second Step: Clean
Thoroughly clean your berries and remove any stems, leaves and damaged pieces. If you picked blueberries from your garden or bought wild ones from the farmer’s market and know they have been handpicked in the mountains, they do not need to be washed.
Otherwise, it is best to wash store-bought blueberries before freezing.
Gently place them into a colander or strainer, wash them with cold water and fully dry them using paper towels. To go further, you can submerge them for a few minutes into cold water mixed with baking soda and vinegar to eliminate all bacteria and wax.
Freezing blueberries.
Third Step: Freeze
Place blueberries on a jelly roll pan lined with parchment paper. The parchment paper helps to ensure the blueberries don’t freeze to the metal pan and get damaged, while the sides of the jelly roll pan ensure the berries don’t roll off when you move the sheet pan to and from the freezer.
Keep the blueberries out in a single layer, and do not pack them in. You are better off freezing a second tray where the blueberries have space between them than trying to get them all onto one sheet.
Place your jelly roll pan in your freezer and freeze for at least two to three hours until the blueberries are entirely frozen.
Storing blueberries.
Fourth Step: Store
Once frozen, transfer them onto a Ziploc bag or container with as much air removed as possible, then double bag them.
The double bagging helps keep them from getting freezer burn and protects their texture for longer. If you have a vacuum sealer, this is a great time to use it.
Be sure to label your freezer-safe bag or freezer container with the date you froze your blueberries. They will last in the freezer for up to six months.
How To Freeze Blueberries.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
Soaking – soak your store-bought blueberries for a few minutes in cold water mixed with baking soda and vinegar to eliminate all bacteria.
Double bag – using double ziplock bags for storing helps against freezer burns.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Ways To Use Frozen Blueberries?
Frozen blueberries are great to add to any recipe that calls for blueberries, or enjoy them alone.
When you bake recipes like a sheet pan blueberry cake,blueberry streusel coffeecake or sour cream blueberry muffins, add them to the batter while they are still frozen. While you might need to add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time, they maintain their texture better when you don’t thaw them first and try to mix them into the batter.
For recipes like a blueberry crumble bar or blueberry syrup, it matters less if you thaw them before adding them to your recipe.
Adding frozen blueberries directly on a baked cake, like our Instant Pot yogurt cheesecake, adds that beautiful frosty look once served.
However, if you make a fruit salad or plan to use the blueberries to make pancakes, waffles, or anything with a short cook time, be sure to thaw them first.
You can even add few frozen berries into your flavored water instead if ice cubes.
“Freezing blueberries is so easy, and it’s a great way to preserve the flavors of summer all season long. I love frozen blueberries with a square or two of chocolate for a late-night snack.”
How you thaw blueberries is as crucial to maintaining a good texture as the previous steps. While thawed blueberries will be softer no matter what, they don’t need to become mushy if you thaw them correctly.
The best way to thaw frozen blueberries is to place them in the fridge for at least six to eight hours. Place the blueberries you want to soften into a container and cover it, then let them slowly thaw. This minimizes the damage to the cell walls that makes them mushy. If you plan to thaw your entire batch, move the bag containing them to the fridge and thaw them in that.
If you need them more quickly, add them to a bowl of cold water, changing it to more cold water after five minutes. Depending on how many blueberries you want to thaw, you may need to do this twice or thrice.
Do not use warm or hot water, which will cause your blueberries to lose their texture. The same goes for thawing them in the microwave. Just don’t do it.
Blueberry Recipes From Freezer
Enjoy those frozen blueberries with intense flavors in a wild blueberry cheesecake, where the vibrant color makes it just the best looking ever. Alternatively, explore the cooked frozen wild blueberries as they transform into a rich sauce, enhancing the rainbow chia pudding with a delightful infusion of color and taste.
For a playful touch, consider incorporating these frozen gems as a natural coloring for sprinkles, adding a whimsical flair to your culinary creations.
And don’t forget the dehydrated blueberries, a perfect snack that captures the essence of these juicy fruits in a convenient, shelf-stable form.
Final Thoughts
Following these simple tips, you can ensure your frozen blueberries retain their firmness and taste as delicious as the day you first picked them. Whether you plan to bake with them or enjoy them as a snack, you’ll love the flavor and freshness properly frozen blueberries offer.
Learn How To Freeze Blueberries to store and enjoy these delicious berries from the freezer year-round. Whether you’re planning to use frozen berries in smoothies, bake them into pies, or make your jam, this step-by-step tutorial recipe for freezing fresh blueberries is a fantastic way to preserve their flavor, save money and reap the benefits of this versatile fruit year long.
Prepare your blueberries. Freshest they are, the better they will taste after defrosting them. You can also pick baking soda and vinegar for an extra wash.
Thoroughly clean your berries and remove any stems, leaves and damaged pieces. Gently place them into a colander or strainer, wash them with cold water and fully dry them using paper towels. To go further, you can submerge them for a few minutes into cold water mixed with baking soda and vinegar to eliminate all bacteria and wax.
Place blueberries on a jelly roll pan lined with parchment paper. Keep the blueberries out in a single layer, and do not pack them in. Place your jelly roll pan in your freezer and freeze for at least two to three hours until the blueberries are entirely frozen.
Once frozen, transfer them onto a Ziploc bag or container with as much air removed as possible, then double bag them.
Notes
Soaking – soak your store-bought blueberries for a few minutes in cold water mixed with baking soda and vinegar to eliminate all bacteria.
Double bag – using double ziplock bags for storing helps against freezer burns.
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
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Zuzana is the creative force behind this vibrant blog. With passion as a recipe developer, content creator, food writer, movie maker, and photographer, she poured her heart and soul into curating a space brimming with delightful keto and low carb recipes. Join her on this flavorful journey where quick, easy-to-make dishes take center stage, bringing joy and nourishment to your table.
