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How to Freeze Blueberries

Freezing fresh blueberries is EASY and is a SUPER way to preserve the great taste and low prices of in season blueberries! Besides, when you know how to freeze blueberries, it only takes about 5 minutes! 

1/2 Cup measure full of frozen blueberries

Why This Recipe Works…

  1. Fast
  2. Easy
  3. Saves Money!
  4. Frozen blueberries can be used in all kinds of recipes! 

Here’s How It is Done

STEP 1. Pour the blueberries out onto a baking sheet. 

***No need to wash the blueberries first, you can rinse them just before you use them. You will need the blueberries to be completely dry before freezing them or they will stick together. ***

hand spreading blueberries around tray for freezing

STEP 2. Place the tray into the freezer for 2 hours. 

hand placing a tray into the icebox

STEP 3. Remove  and then measure out quantities for each bag. Label the bags before filling with blueberries for easy use. 

labeled quart size freezer bag of frozen blueberries

Frozen Blueberry Recipes 

We love to use frozen blueberries in Blueberry mini muffins, blueberry cobbler, blueberry galette. 

Blueberry Galette

Blueberry Balsamic Chicken Salad

Easy Blueberry Pie!

Can You Freeze Blueberries?

Yes, you can freeze blueberries! It is so simple that you will be surprised! Follow the recipe card below. Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to freeze!

Freeze Blueberries How Long? 

Keep Frozen blueberries for 6 months to 1 year. Be sure to keep them as close to 32C as possible. Squeeze as much air from the bag as possible before freezing. 

How To Freeze Blueberries

Spread the unwashed blueberries out on a baking sheet. Place baking sheet into the freezer for 2 hours. Remove from the freezer and place into labeled freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag. Lay the bags as flat as possible into the freezer. Rinse the fruit with water before using. 

A photo of the frozen blueberries being folded in for muffin mix

Fold in the blueberries

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How Do I Freeze Blueberries to Keep Them From Getting Mushy? 

Doing this individually and keeping them dry like described in the recipe card below will help to keep the blueberries from becoming overly mushy. However, all  fruit does become more mushy than fresh fruit and you will want to use these berries in cooked goods or smoothies. Don’t plan to use them for fresh applications.

Do I Need To Wash Blueberries Before Freezing Them?

No need to wash them before? Give them a light wash before using them in your recipe.

Do I Need To Thaw Blueberries Before Using Them In Baking? 

No, you don’t need to thaw them before using them in baking. Just give them a little rinse with  water, drain well and use in whatever recipe you have planned. 

Can You Just Eat Frozen Blueberries? 

Sure you can! Give them a cool bath and pop them right in your mouth! It’s like a little blueberry popsicle! What a great fresh treat that is even good for you! 

a small muffin with a white ribbon wrapped around

How Do You Thaw Frozen Blueberries? 

There’s no need to thaw them before using in your recipe, but if you want to thaw them, run cold water over them for a minute or two. If you put the bag that they are frozen into the fridge, they will also thaw. You will notice a lot of liquid in the bag. No need to use this liquid in your recipe. 

Can Frozen Blueberries Be Substituted For Fresh? 

Yes, you can substitute them for fresh in most cooking applications and in smoothies. You won’t want to use a frozen berry instead of fresh as a garnish, topping or fruit salad. All fruit that has been frozen will be somewhat mushy when completely thawed and that just won’t look nice this way. 

Does Freezing Blueberries Affect the Taste?

It does not affect the taste. The blueberry will still taste like a itself BUT it does affect the texture. They become mushy after freezing as does all fruit. It is best to use these in baking, cooking and smoothie recipes. 

If you are interested in reading some interesting information about this subject, check out the blueberry council history of blueberries

How To Know If Frozen Blueberries are Bad

If you notice….

  • The blueberries appears encased in ice crystals or frost
  • Blueberries is very light colored and dry
  • The berries have been in  longer than 6 months.
  • There was a lot of air in the package.
Blueberry Balsamic Chicken on a cutting board cut into slices wwith a sprig of Rosemary

Blueberry Balsamic Chicken

If You Want To Know More About Freezing Other Foods, Check Out….

How to Freeze Raspberries

How to Freeze Blackberries

Hey, Ya’ll, Help Me Out, OK? 

Leave me a 5 STAR comment in the comment section below. This helps other people to find recipes on Loaves and Dishes! 

labeled quart size freezer bag of frozen blueberries

How to Freeze Blueberries

Freezing fresh Blueberries is EASY and is a SUPER way to preserve the great taste and low prices of in season Blueberries!  Besides, when you know how to freeze Blueberries, it only takes about 5 minutes! 
5 from 1 vote
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Course: main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to freeze blueberries, freezing blueberries
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 32kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb blueberries any variety or size

Instructions

  • Label the freezer bag with a sharpie marker to indicate what will be in the bag and how many. Label with today's date and a "USE BY" date (6 months to 1 year from now).
  • Place the berries onto a baking sheet and spread them out
  • Place the baking sheet into the freezer for at least 2 hours.
  • After 2 hours, remove the tray from the freezer, measure out the berries and place them into a resealable top plastic bag.
  • Squeeze as much air as possible from the bag.
  • Seal the bag. Finish labeling the bag if necessary.
  • Place the bag into the freezer and lay flat so that it will freeze flat.

Notes

  • Use good quality freezer bags (this doesn't necessarily mean name brand).  Just check to make sure that the bag feels heavy and thick in your hand and that the seal works very well.
  • It's so easy to use the type of bag with the zippers, but I've had more bag failures with the zipper bags than with the press and seal type bags. 
  • Buy yourself a sharpie marker to keep in the kitchen in your "junk" drawer OR tape it to the front of your freezer bag box.  Then you'll always have one. 
  • The flater that you can make the bag, the better for saving space in your freezer. 
  • When putting things in the freezer, put the newer things on the bottom of the stack so that the older things are near the top and you'll use those first. 
  • Squeeze air out of the bag after you put the meat into the bag by rolling it up. Air in the bag will equal freezer burn later. 
PRO TIP:  Label the bag BEFORE you put the food in the bag.  It's so much easier to write on a bag with nothing in it BEFORE it has water or grease on it. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Freeze Blueberries
Amount Per Serving
Calories 32 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 44mg1%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 31IU1%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 3mg0%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

Lord, grant us patience and the courage to address whatever we face. 

Mark 5:36

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




moxie cash

Friday 27th of September 2019

Great recipe!

15585

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