It’s summertime, and strawberries are flooding the markets! Strawberries are delicious when they are in season. These fruits are versatile and can be used for dipping sauces, smoothies, and enhancing food with a sweet flavor. There are a lot of ways to prepare them and one is preparing them as strawberry juice. After making the juice, you will need to store them. Would freezing strawberry juice be an option?
So, can you freeze strawberry juice? Yes, you can freeze strawberry juice. You can freeze fresh, canned, or bottled strawberry juice. For the best result, you will need to freeze them in an airtight container. Properly stored, strawberry juice can last for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Freezing strawberry juice is a great way to have them year-round, especially if you use them often. They’re easy to freeze at home, but you need to prepare them correctly.
Does Strawberry Juice Freeze Well?
Yes, strawberry juice freezes well. The quality of frozen strawberries may not be as good as fresh ones, but it still has a lot of health benefits and tastes great.
When you freeze strawberries, it breaks down their cell walls, which releases their flavor and natural juices. This makes the juice less sweet than fresh-squeezed fruit juice, but also gives it a more concentrated strawberry taste.
How To Freeze Strawberry Juice
When it comes to freezing strawberry juice, there are two methods you can use. You can either freeze the juice in large portions using an airtight container or in small portions using the ice cube tray.
This will work whether it’s the strawberry juice is fresh or in bottles from the grocery stores.
Below are the steps to freezing both methods.
Freezing Large Portion of Strawberry Juice
Step 1: Preparation
Get out the airtight container that you will be using to store the strawberry juice. Make sure that the container is freezer-safe. Using a container not designed for freezer usage will crack or break when frozen, especially if it contains liquids.
You can also use freezer bags, but I highly recommend not to use them. There’s a good chance it may break when frozen. However, if you have no other choice, you can use freezer bags, but make sure that it’s heavy-duty.
Step 2: Pour into Containers
Pour the strawberry juice into the airtight container. Keep about an inch of space at the top of the container. This will allow the juice to expand during freezing. If you don’t leave any space, the container will break and leave you with a mess in the freezer.
Step 3: Seal the Containers
Check the lid for any damages. Look to see if there are any cracks on the lid and check to see if the seals are in good condition. If everything looks fine, secure the lid to the container.
Step 4: Label and Freeze
With a marker, write the date of freezing and the content on the freezer bag. Then place them into the freezer.
Freezing Strawberry Juice Ice Cubes
Step 1: Preparation
With the ice cube trays, give them a good cleaning to remove any debris from them. If you’re going to freeze a lot of strawberry juice, you can use several ice cube trays.
Alternatively, you can use muffin trays. It’s much larger, which allows you to be able to store more in the freezer.
Step 2: Pour into Ice Cube Tray
Pour the strawberry juice into each slot in the ice cube tray. Make sure to not overfill it. Keep a small space at the top of each slot. This will allow the juice to expand during freezing.
Step 3: Flash Freezing
Wrap the tray with cling wrap and place it into the freezer. Let it sit for about 1-2 hours to freeze.
Step 4: Transfer to Freezer Bag
Once the strawberry juice is completely frozen, remove them from the freezer. Then transfer the strawberry juice cubes to the freezer bag right away.
After all the ice cubes are in the bag, gently press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it.
Step 5: Label and Freeze
With a marker, write the date of freezing and the content on the freezer bag. Then place them into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Strawberry Juice?
Strawberry juice doesn’t usually have a long shelf life, so it should be consumed within 2 weeks of being frozen.
However, if kept in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below, most people report that their frozen strawberry juice can last up to 6 months without going bad. Some even say that they have been able to keep the juice for up to a year.
How Do You Defrost Strawberry Juice?
Most recipes that call for strawberry juice will not need the juice to be thawed. If you froze some strawberry juice cubes, simply remove what you need and place them directly in the recipe.
If you’re making smoothies, take a couple of strawberry cubes from the freezer and place them into the blender.
If you’ve frozen a large portion of strawberry juice and need it for a large recipe, defrosting them in the fridge is the best method. Remove the juice from the freezer, place it onto a plate or bowl, and let it sit in the fridge overnight.
Can You Refreeze Strawberry Juice?
You should not refreeze strawberry juice. Freezing the juice more than once will result in the quality deteriorating even more. You may find that it will taste bland after it’s thawed for the second time.
To prevent having to refreeze strawberry juice, try to freeze them in small portions using the ice cube method. This way, you will only need to remove the amount of strawberry juice cubes without having any leftovers and having to freeze them again.
Other Questions about Strawberry Juice
Can you freeze strawberry juice for smoothies?
The answer is yes. Fresh strawberry juice can be frozen for smoothies and other drinks. Frozen juice keeps the same taste and nutritional value as of fresh fruit, but lasts longer in the freezer. To freeze strawberry juice, pour it into an airtight container and store it in your freezer for up to three months.