Luscious, sweet, and slightly tart, strawberries are an ideal bite-sized summer fruit. Their bright ruby color boosts everything from cocktails to sweet and savory dishes. Below are our favorite strawberry recipes and useful tips for enjoying and preserving this beloved fruit.
National Strawberry Day has been celebrated on February 27 since 2013, and it’s a great time to appreciate the many varieties and uses of strawberries.
Quick facts about strawberries:
- There are over 600 strawberry varieties.
- Known as an aphrodisiac, strawberries pair famously with chocolate for romantic treats.
- Not all strawberries are bright red—some varieties are white, yellow, or pink.
- Americans eat an average of eight pounds of strawberries per person each year.
- Strawberry seeds are on the outside of the fruit.
- California supplies about 80 percent of U.S. strawberries.
- A serving of eight strawberries provides roughly the recommended daily value of vitamin C.
Strawberry Recipes
Strawberry season typically runs from May through July. When berries are in season, consider freezing extras for use year-round—frozen strawberries work well in smoothies, baking, and many recipes that call for fresh fruit. If you’re near a pick-your-own farm, pick some fresh and freeze the rest to extend your bounty.
Some of our favorite strawberry dishes include strawberry pie, spinach and strawberry salad, strawberry cheesecake, strawberry sauce, cobbler, cream cheese frosting, and countless desserts. We also love simply stirring chopped berries into Greek yogurt for a quick breakfast.
Strawberry Fluff Salad
Strawberry fluff salad is an easy, crowd-pleasing Jello salad that works well for family dinners and holiday gatherings. It’s quick to prepare and always a favorite at potlucks.
Strawberry Ghosts
Coated in white chocolate or vanilla almond bark, strawberry ghosts are a fun seasonal treat for Halloween or themed parties. They’re a fruity alternative to traditional sweets and look festive on any dessert platter.
Strawberry Poke Cake
Poke cake gets its name from the holes made in the cake after baking, which are then filled with strawberry Jello and topped with Cool Whip or your favorite frosting. Chill the cake so the filling sets for a moist, flavorful dessert.
Strawberry Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients: rosé champagne, strawberry simple syrup, sliced strawberries, crushed ice. This elegant cocktail blends bubbly and strawberry syrup for a festive drink perfect for celebrations.
Strawberry Lemonade Cookies
These cookies combine lemon and strawberry cake mixes for a bright, crinkled cookie. Roll dough balls in powdered sugar before baking for a classic crinkle effect.
Strawberry Bruschetta Appetizer
This light appetizer pairs fresh strawberries with mint and a creamy blend of ricotta and goat cheese. It makes a delightful brunch bite or a savory-sweet snack and is excellent spread on toast.
Crock Pot Strawberry Jam
This easy slow-cooker jam includes a splash of Riesling for subtle wine notes. Making jam in a Crock Pot simplifies the process and yields a delicious preserve you can can or freeze.
Strawberry Daiquiri Jello Shots
Ingredients: strawberry Jell-O, coconut rum, water. These whipped-cream-topped jello shots are playful party bites, ideal for bachelorette parties and Galentine’s celebrations.
Strawberry Basil Lemonade Cocktail
Ingredients: strawberry vodka or flavored vodka, diet lemonade, fresh basil. Muddled basil and fresh strawberries add aroma and color, making this a refreshing summer sipper.
Make Ahead Freezer Strawberry Margaritas
Ingredients: fresh or frozen strawberries, crushed ice, tequila, fresh lime juice, white sugar. Store mason jars in the freezer and blend for instant margaritas whenever you want.
The Easiest Homemade Strawberry Milkshake
This classic soda fountain-style milkshake requires only vanilla ice cream, milk, strawberries, and sugar. Blend for five minutes and top with whipped cream or chocolate sauce for an indulgent treat.
Easter Carrot Strawberries
Simple and eye-catching, these carrot-shaped strawberries use adjusted amounts of red and yellow food coloring to create a festive orange hue—an easy seasonal decoration or snack.
Strawberry Brie Braided Crescent Appetizer
Strawberry jam and brie come together inside crescent roll dough for a warm, melty appetizer. Use your favorite strawberry jam for the filling.
Crock Pot Chocolate Strawberry Cake
This slow-cooked cake gets extra sweetness from honey and is perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime you want dessert without heating the oven.
Super Easy Strawberry Shortcake
Refrigerator buttermilk biscuits make quick shortcakes topped with sliced strawberries and whipped vanilla cream—a simple, satisfying brunch favorite.
3-Ingredient Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
These bright pink cookies are an easy bake using strawberry cake mix. Customize with chocolate chips, sprinkles, or colored candies for holidays or parties.
Slow Cooker Strawberry Crisp
Ginger adds depth to this textured strawberry vanilla crisp. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream for a comforting dessert.
Strawberry Chipotle Jam
This jam pairs sweet strawberries with smoky chipotle heat—great on savory dishes, as an ice cream topping, or canned and frozen for later enjoyment. Adjust peppers to control the spice level.
Copycat Red Robin Freckled Lemonade
Made with lemonade and speckled with strawberry pieces, this copycat recipe recreates the refreshing freckled lemonade. For a boozy version, add vodka.
The Perfect Storm Cocktail
Ingredients: rum, spiced rum, strawberry syrup, cranberry juice, lime juice. This fruity twist on a Dark ’N’ Stormy highlights strawberry syrup for a bright, balanced cocktail.
Coral Reef Cocktail
Ingredients: vodka, coconut rum, strawberries. A tropical blender cocktail with a coral hue, great for poolside gatherings and served in a wine goblet.
Lava Flow Cocktail
Ingredients: light rum, coconut rum, strawberries, banana, pineapple juice, cream of coconut. This layered tropical drink blends fruit and coconut for a creamy, colorful beverage.
Copycat Strawberry Julius
This frothy, foamy drink uses egg whites to recreate the airy texture of the classic Strawberry Julius. It’s a fun at-home version of a nostalgic treat.
Weight Watchers Strawberry Muffins
Three-ingredient strawberry muffins make a quick, lighter sweet treat that’s easy to prepare.
Strawberry Fudge
Two-ingredient strawberry fudge is a fast, kid-friendly confection that takes minutes to make.
FAQ about Strawberries
How should I store strawberries?
Store strawberries in the refrigerator and wait to wash them until you’re ready to eat them to avoid added moisture. Line the container with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture and prolong freshness.
How do I freeze strawberries?
Wash and air-dry strawberries, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen berries into a labeled freezer bag—properly stored, they’ll keep for up to six months.
Favorite Kitchen Tools
These are helpful tools we use often when making strawberry recipes:
- Heat-resistant potholders for safe handling of hot pans.
- Baking sheets with sides for even baking and easy removal.
- Microwave silicone covers to prevent splatters when melting butter.
- Large mixing bowls with handles to keep bowls steady while mixing.
- Hand mixer or stand mixer for batters and whipped toppings.
- Parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- A high-performance blender for smoothies and milkshakes.
Whether you’re cooking, baking, or mixing drinks, strawberries offer endless possibilities. Experiment with these recipes and tips to enjoy strawberries at their best all year long.