I’ve only recently found out about the health benefits of raspberries. Apparently, they’re rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. This was good news to me because I absolutely love raspberries. I can eat them by the bowl! I’m planning on buying raspberries in bulk soon, so I’d like to know how I can keep and prevent them from going bad.
Raspberries definitely bring a lot to the table – not just in flavor but to your body’s nutrition as well. To make sure that your precious berries don’t go to waste, it is important that you store them correctly.
You can freeze raspberries in order to prolong their shelf life. In fact, raspberries are one of the few fruits that freeze very well. They maintain their flavor and quality as long as they are frozen properly. Dry freeze ripe or almost ripe raspberries for best results.
Can You Freeze Raspberries?
Freezing raspberries will not affect their flavor or color, and will only have a minimal effect on their texture. Keep the berries away from food with strong odors to prevent odor transfer.
Freezing raspberries will maintain their current state, so don’t freeze any overripe or underripe berries. It is discouraged to freeze raspberries that are bruised or mushy already.
You can opt to freeze raspberries as a puree or as a jam instead. This is best when there’s not enough space inside the freezer to store a whole lot of raspberries.
Raspberries stored inside the freezer can be kept for around 12 to 18 months. Once defrosted, you should consume your raspberries as soon as possible to maintain their quality.
Smaller freezer bags can be used for storing raspberries. This helps you when thawing out the serving sizes needed for your recipe or snack.
If you’re planning to make the raspberries into a pie, freeze them in a sugar pack. The texture of the berries will be unlikely to change inside a sweetened pack.
How to Freeze Raspberries
Properly store your raspberries to prolong their shelf life. Make sure you have raspberries all year long by following these steps.
- First, rinse the berries under running water. Do not soak the raspberries as this may cause a change in their quality.
- Next, let them drain and place them on paper towels to completely remove the water.
- Then place the berries on a baking sheet, making sure that the berries are not clumped together.
- Freeze the raspberries for a few hours, then transfer them into freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. Don’t forget to label the containers with the date of preparation.
- Place the containers inside the freezer.
- To thaw, retrieve the needed portion of raspberries from the freezer.
- Place raspberries on a paper towel inside the microwave. Arrange the raspberries so they don’t touch other berries.
- Set the microwave to defrost for 10 seconds. Check the berries and defrost again if needed.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Raspberries?
Raspberries are a delicious and healthy fruit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra raspberries? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover raspberries:
- Make a smoothie – Raspberries make a great addition to smoothies. Just add them to a blender with some milk and yogurt, and you’ll have a delicious and healthy drink in no time.
- Add them to your cereal – To add some extra sweetness and flavor to your morning cereal. Just add some raspberries to your favorite cereal, and you’re good to go.
- Make a fruit salad – Raspberries are a great addition to any fruit salad. Just add them in with your other favorite fruits, and you’ll have a tasty and healthy dish in no time.
- Bake them into a pie – Raspberries can also be used to make a delicious pie. Just add them to a pie crust with some sugar and spices, and you’ll have a tasty dessert that everyone will love.
- Make a raspberry jam – Raspberry jam can be used to enjoy the taste of summer all year round. To make raspberry jam, you will need 3 cups of raspberries, 1 cup of sugar, 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 package of fruit pectin. Simply combine the raspberries and sugar in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add the lemon juice and pectin and stir until combined. Pour into jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. This recipe makes about 4 half-pint jars of jam.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover raspberries. Next time you find yourself with extra fruit, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Raspberry Recipes
A muffin is a great pick me up for kids and adults alike. Add a fruity twist to your pastry with this Raspberry Muffin recipe.
During the summer, there’s nothing better to enjoy than a cool and sweet treat. Make some Raspberry Sorbet with this recipe that’s great for a hot day.
Use your raspberries as both toppings and fillings in this Raspberry Vanilla Cake! The perfect match of creaminess and tanginess is showcased in this tasty dish.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze raspberries. Frozen raspberries will last for 4-6 months in the freezer if stored properly. If you want to use them in smoothies, make sure you thaw them out first. Here is how to go about freezing raspberries: wash them thoroughly, pat-dry them to remove all water, remove stems and leaves then pack your desired number of berries in a suitable container, seal it tightly, and finally put in the freezer.
If you have any questions regarding how to freeze raspberries or your experience with it, please let me know in the comment section below.