How to Freeze Blueberries

Blueberries are one of my go-to fruits, and when they’re on sale I buy packs at a time. They’re great for a snack (85 calories per one cup serving), and make oatmeal and greek yogurt more interesting! But when I buy berries in bulk, they tend to go bad faster than I can eat them, which is why it’s essential to learn how to freeze blueberries.

When are Blueberries in Season?

You can find blueberries in many grocery stores year-round, but they’re truly in season during the summer months. Blueberries are harvested from around May to July, depending on what type of climate you’re in. This is when you’ll notice most grocery stores have frequent sales on them.

How Long Do Fresh Blueberries Last?

Blueberries will last about a week in the fridge. If you leave them out, they’ll get soft after a few days. To maximize their shelf life, add a paper towel to the bottom of their package to soak up moisture and pick out moldy berries.

When Should You Freeze Blueberries?

When your blueberries start getting soft or wrinkly, it’s time to freeze them. Typically I’ll freeze them when I start to notice some of the berries have a squishy or mealy texture.

How to Freeze Blueberries

Freezing blueberries is simple!

1. Remove stems and throw away any mushy or moldy blueberries.
2. Wash the blueberries.
3. Dry the berries thoroughly. You can do this by placing them between paper towels and dabbing gently. Wet blueberries are prone to clump together when frozen.
4. (Optional) Place blueberries on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer. Flash freeze them for about two hours until they’re hard.
5. Place in a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer.

As mentioned, flash freezing is optional. If you dry your berries thoroughly before freezing, they don’t stick together that much. If they do, separating them is similar to breaking up a bag of peas. Hit them on the counter a few times, and you’re good to go.

How Long Do Frozen Blueberries Last?

Frozen blueberries last about six months. You can use them to top yogurt bowls or bake into muffins, so they’ll almost surely be gone before then.

How to Defrost Blueberries

There are multiple ways to defrost blueberries.

• Place them in the refrigerator overnight.
• Place them in a bowl of water and let it sit for about 5 minutes or until the blueberries are fully thawed. Then dry the berries.
• Microwave in 15 second increments. Microwaving tends to make the berries mushy.

Defrosted blueberries will never be the same texture as crisp, fresh blueberries. I prefer to eat them frozen or to use them in baked goods.

Blueberry-Friendly Recipes

Need other ways to use your blueberries? Try these:

• Oatmeal cookies
• Banana protein pancakes
• Flourless banana bread
• Oatmeal bars
• Waffles

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How to Freeze Bluberries

Freezing blueberries is quick and easy. Eat them frozen, bake them into treats, or defrost and enjoy!

Course Snack

Prep Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 package blueberries

Instructions

• Remove stems and throw away any mushy or moldy blueberries.
• Wash the blueberries.
• Dry the berries thoroughly. You can do this by placing them between paper towels and gently dabbing. Wet blueberries are prone to clump together when frozen.
  
• (Optional) Place blueberries on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer. Flash freeze them for about two hours until they’re hard.
• Place in a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
  

Notes

Flash freezing the berries make them less prone to clump, but as long as the berries are dry when you freeze them they won’t clump much.