We all love strawberries. Sweet, juicy, and packed with nutrition — they’re an amazing fruit! But what happens when you buy too many for your baking project or smoothie, and now you have some leftover? Don’t simply throw them out!
Strawberries are such a versatile fruit, and there are so many delicious ways to use them. From baking one-of-a-kind recipes like strawberry pies or cobbler, to simply adding them into smoothies or oatmeal for an extra boost of sweetness, there is no question that your leftovers will be put to good use.
With this blog post, we’ll explore all the amazing things you can do with those little red gems and give you our favorite tips and tricks for making sure those sweet strawberries get eaten no matter what! So grab a seat at your kitchen counter; it’s time to take out those forgotten fruits and make something extraordinary!
Strawberry Jam
Got some overripe strawberries? Make a strawberry jam! It’s an easy way to use up those strawberries before they go bad, and it even beats most store-bought jams.
To make the perfect jam, all you need is some overripe strawberries, apples for extra tartness, and a touch of lemon juice for added brightness. Cook everything together on the stovetop until it reaches your desired consistency, and you’ll have an insanely delicious strawberry jam to spread on toast, muffins, or even ice cream! Yum.
Strawberry Pie
You don’t need pretty strawberries to make strawberry pie! This strawberry dessert turns this ripening bruised fruit into a delicious and satisfying treat that’s perfect for any time of year. It’s crumbly, buttery, and tartly sweet. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser!
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Overripe strawberries are the perfect addition to a fruit smoothie, adding both natural sweetness and lots of flavor. There are many ways to make a strawberry and banana smoothie, but the basic ingredients are easy.
Start with a cup of frozen strawberries, half a banana, half a cup of yogurt, and some ice cubes. This recipe is a great option if you don’t have yogurt, but feel free to add it in if you have it!
Strawberry Muffins
Strawberries were made to be put in baked goods. Don’t let any extra strawberries go to waste, and use them to make strawberry muffins!
This recipe is full of sweet berry flavor and baked to a beautiful golden brown. Whether you mash or chop them, they’ll add an extra layer of sweetness that’ll make your tastebuds dance.
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
I love me a good healthy dessert, and these strawberry oatmeal bars are the perfect combination of nutritious and delicious.
It’s a great way to get your sweet fix without the added calories. Plus, the whole grain butter crumb topping and lightly sweetened vanilla glaze make these oatmeal bars totally drool-worthy!
Strawberry Vinaigrette
Strawberries make for a delicious salad dressing. Combining them with the tartness of a vinaigrette gives salads an extra boost of flavor. And when you use fresh strawberries, it’s even better!
The sweetness of the berries mixed with the tangy vinegar and olive oil makes for a wonderfully refreshing dressing. It’s a simple way to take your salad up a notch!
Sangria
Strawberries are a great choice for making creative cocktails. Whether you muddle fresh berries, blend them into a strawberry simple syrup, soak them in vodka or sangria to make a fruity infusion, or macerate them with vinegar for an aromatic shrub — the possibilities are endless. I especially love this sangria recipe. Give it a try!
Spring Salad
A spring salad is one of my simple go-to’s on a hot summer day. The strawberries and feta in this Strawberry Feta Salad are a perfect match!
The sweetness of the strawberries pairs beautifully with the salty feta for an explosion of flavor that’s hard to beat. Topped off with balsamic vinegar and crunchy walnuts, this salad is an unbeatable combination of flavor and texture.
Strawberry Shortcake
We can’t get through this list without mentioning strawberry shortcake! It’s a classic for a reason, and this recipe is no exception.
It’s the perfect simple dessert that you can whip up in an hour or less. The buttery biscuit base contrasts perfectly with the sweet strawberries, and it’s just sweet enough without overpowering the natural flavor of the berries.
Strawberry Cobbler
Warm, gooey strawberry cobbler topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and whipped cream — what could be better?
This delicious dessert is the perfect way to put those leftover strawberries to use and wrap up any meal. The sweet and tart flavors of the soft berries and rhubarb are irresistible, especially when combined with its thick, easy-to-make crust!
FAQs
How do you preserve strawberries for later use?
Not ready to use your leftover strawberries quite yet? No problem! To preserve your strawberries, you’ll need to thoroughly clean them by rinsing them under running water (don’t soak them!). Then you can either flash freeze them separately or store them all together in the freezer. It’s as simple as that.
Are mushy strawberries OK to eat?
Mushy strawberries are fine to eat as long as you can’t see any mold or rot. Keep in mind, though, that if your strawberries are super soft and ripe, they won’t taste as good anymore.
What are the health benefits of eating strawberries?
Strawberries are a nutrient-rich fruit that comes with a variety of health benefits. They have vitamin C and other antioxidants that are excellent for preventing cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes and are a great source of Magnesium.