How To Freeze Blueberries

Consumers often find their blueberries spoil before the entire box is empty. Freezing them is an option but first you may ask, how to freeze blueberries?

You can freeze blueberries in the following four steps:

1. Do not wash the blueberries first as it results in a tough skin.
2. Place the berries on a baking tray and allow them to dry if they were wet.
3. After dried, place the tray in the freezer for two hours.
4. Transfer the frozen berries into a freezer bag and store.

Freezing allows you to preserve food items like blueberries easily and avoid throwing out uneaten berries. This article will examine the four steps in more detail.

How To Freeze Blueberries

As a Certified Health Coach many people ask me about freezing blueberries. The following are the four steps always suggested and recommended.

Step 1: The National Center for Home Food Preservation says it’s best not to wash the blueberries before freezing. Washing results in a tougher skin¹. If you plan on using frozen blueberries, like in the smoothie tip above, wash them before moving to step two.

Step 2: Place your berries spaced out on a baking tray to air dry if they were wet. It is critical to ensure your berries dry completely before freezing to maintain crispness².

Step 3: After the berries dry thoroughly, place the tray in the freezer for two hours until completely frozen. By freezing the berries spaced out, you avoid trapped moisture from ruining the berries. You can also use berries individually as they do not stick together.

Step 4: Transfer the frozen blueberries into a final container and return to the freezer until future use. Now you have blueberries available to use at any time for any recipe.

Best Container To Store Frozen Blueberries

The best container for storing frozen blueberries is a freezer bag. Freezer bags are designed to store food in the freezer and protect the items from freezer burn.

These bags are available in various sizes, depending on how big your blueberry stash is, and allow you to scoop or pour any blueberries you wish to eat quickly.

You can also use Tupperware containers or mason jars to store your frozen blueberries. These containers easily stack and can be ideal for organizing a full freezer. The hard exterior also prevents the berries from being smushed. 

How Long To Keep Blueberries Frozen

When properly frozen and stored, frozen berries will keep for up to 12 months. You should use your blueberries within eight months of freezing for the best results, but that is still an excellent shelf life for a frozen item.

Buying in bulk lowers the unit price paid for berries and can lead to significant savings on your weekly grocery bill over time. Reduced food waste by avoiding rapid spoilage also decreases the amount of money thrown away with the spoiled leftovers.

Stocking a bulk supply of frozen blueberries readily available in your freezer is a great way to save money while eating healthy.

How To Thaw Frozen Blueberries

To thaw your frozen blueberries for consumption, simply place your desired serving in a bowl and cover with room temperature water. The thawing process does not take much time, and the berries will be ready after only 5 minutes of soaking.

You can also transfer a serving of frozen berries to the fridge to thaw overnight, depending on how you plan to use them. 

Another option, but not my favorite, is thawing in a microwave³. Follow these steps:

• Place blueberries in a single layer on a paper towel lined plate.
• Set the microwave on defrost for 30 seconds and check the berries.
• Check the blueberries and repeat until defrosted.
• When done, the blueberries should look slightly frosted and have their shape.

Thawed blueberries are great for snacking, but you don’t necessarily need to thaw them for every recipe. In fact, some people enjoy eating blueberries straight out of the freezer and find frozen berries cold and refreshing.

Keep in mind, thawed blueberries will be more delicate than fresh berries, so they may fall apart quickly if tossed.

If you have any questions to ask me about this article don’t hesitate to comment below or email us. You can find an email on our contact page.

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1. National Center for Home Food Preservation: Freezing Blueberries or Huckleberries [↩]
2. U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council: Freezing Blueberries [↩]
3. The Spruce Eats: How to Thaw Frozen Berries in the Microwave [↩]