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Indulge in the sweetness of summer with strawberry recipes that are perfect for every occasion! From refreshing drinks and desserts to crisp salads and smoothies, these recipes showcase the versatility of this beloved fruit.
Who doesn’t love strawberries? These ruby red bursts of summer flavor seem to be everyone’s favorite. They’re ideal for classic strawberry dessert recipes, from strawberry shortcake to crisp to pie. But you can use them for so much more!
Try a crispy refreshing strawberry salad, blend them into smoothies and margaritas, make a sauce for waffles, or bake them into muffins. We’re getting hungry just thinking about it, so let’s get to the list!
And now, our top strawberry recipes!
At the top of our strawberry recipes? This perfect strawberry crumble! There’s the strawberry filling, scented with orange zest and vanilla until the berries pop. There’s the crunchy crumble topping, hearty and homey with oats and walnuts. It’s simple, but all together it makes a true symphony of flavor: far greater than the sum of its parts. Even better: you can make it using fresh or frozen berries! Either way: it’s a true stunner.
Here’s a festive treat that’s nearly impossible for anyone to resist: Strawberry Bread! This sweet quick bread is sweet and moist, studded with ripe red berries and scented with vanilla. Each bite will have you coming back for more! It’s fantastic as is, but drizzle it with a quick lemon icing to finish with a pop of zingy sweet.
Here’s a fun spin on the classic breakfast that will make you look forward to mornings: strawberry oatmeal! Who can say no to pink oatmeal? The sweet berry flavor is irresistible, and topped with fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup and a hint of cream, it’s absolutely sublime.
This fresh strawberry pie highlights the best ripe berry flavor, perfectly sweet tart with a delicious hint of cinnamon. Our neighbors promptly declared it was “the best pie I’ve ever had.” You’ve got to test for yourself!
Ready for our favorite strawberry salad recipe? Strawberries are a natural flavor pairing with the acidity of balsamic vinegar. For this salad, we used our favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing to accentuate the bright red sweet berries. Paired with red onions and toasted almonds, it’s a simple and delicious side everyone loves!
A fun way to incorporate berries in recipes is strawberry muffins! Imagine: a muffin with a tender crumb: just sweet enough and delightfully moist. Then top that with a strawberry cream cheese swirl, that coats everything in sweet savory richness.
Another classic strawberry recipe: shortcake! It’s got tender, biscuit-like shortcakes, juicy sweet berries, and fluffy, homemade whipped cream. It’s so ridiculously good, it’s perfect for special occasions of all kinds: cookouts, patio parties, birthdays, and anytime you come across a load of ripe, beautiful berries.
Here’s a breakfast treat that will blow you away: strawberry waffles! This stunning recipe is easy to make and full of flavor, perfect for Sunday brunch or any time you need to impress. The waffles are perfectly fluffy, full of big flavor with a short ingredient list.
Chocolate covered strawberries are an easy strawberry recipe that's always a hit! The sweet tart fresh berries are covered with crunchy semi-sweet chocolate: an easy no-bake dessert that always looks stunning!
Here's the most perfect strawberry smoothie! It's light and creamy, with just the right icy and airy texture. Often smoothies are too bitter or overly sweet, but this one's just right. It's lightly sweet, with just the right berry essence. Make it, memorize it, and make a perfect healthy smoothie on repeat!
Here’s a simple strawberry recipe that’s easy but impressive: strawberry sorbet! The flavor is like taking a bite of 100 strawberries at once: sweet, pure, and tangy. The frosty texture is like an Italian strawberry gelato: cold and creamy, with just the right robust vibrancy to each bite.
Got ripe berries? Here’s a quick and fun way to use them: make strawberry compote! Cooking down strawberries with a bit of sugar reduces it into glossy, luxurious tangy sauce that’s like an amped version of taking a bite into this sweet berry.
Ripe berries, heavy cream, and a touch of sweetener take just minutes to whip up into a pile of fluffy, berry-scented goodness. If you’re like us, you can add a handful of crushed pretzels when serving for that nostalgic sweet and salty hit! It’s such a fun treat that everyone in our family adores.
Strawberry puree is a blend of fresh strawberries, sweetener and lemon juice. It’s uncooked and only lightly sweetened, unlike a strawberry syrup which is cooked with a hefty amount of sugar. Use the fresh puree to dollop on pancakes, oatmeal, waffles, and cakes, or eat with a spoon like applesauce.
Here’s a healthy drink that will quickly rise to favorite status: Strawberry Water! This delicious flavored water has the essence of that red berry and is irresistibly refreshing. Make a big pitcher and you can sip off of it for days: or it’s perfect for entertaining. If you like, add a splash of sparkling water and drink it as a low calorie alternative to soda.
First up in our best strawberry recipes: strawberry rhubarb crisp! It’s all about carefree summer days, and has just a tinge of healthy. Most of all, it tastes really, really good. The crisp topping is oats and oat flour. And there’s no refined sugar: it’s all maple syrup! Some strawberry rhubarb crisp recipes call for boat-loads of sugar: for this one, we’ve used just enough. It results in a sweet tart crisp that’s seriously nostalgic.
This strawberry lemonade is bright and beautiful, citrusy with a hit of berry on the finish. It tastes infinitely better made at home: the flavors are brilliantly fresh. This recipe is fast and easy: you don’t even need to cook down a syrup! Simply blend and go.
Next up in our strawberry recipes: you know the yogurt pie with graham cracker crust? This one's an all natural version with real organic yogurt and real strawberries. Made with strawberries, yogurt and maple syrup, it’s got a tangy, pure strawberry flavor. The oatmeal cookie crust is cinnamon-scented and lightly salted, making the perfect counterpoint.
If you love berries and you love sangria…then you must drop everything and make this now. Presenting…the perfect strawberry sangria! This one is Spanish style, full of nuance and character. The berries sing and the dry rosé notes peak through just enough.
Using just fresh fruit, sweetener, and ice, you can make a delicious summery drink that’s so light and refreshing! The berry flavor is sweet and bright, accentuated by a pop of citrus. It’s a spin on our watermelon slushie that we’ll never get tired of! Come try it out and tell us if you’re obsessed, too.
This easy strawberry sauce is sweetened with maple syrup, done in 10 minutes, and full of big berry flavor despite the short ingredient list! This glistening red sauce makes magic when spooned over vanilla ice cream or thick Belgian waffles. If you’ve got ripe strawberries on hand, it’s the perfect fast dessert to whip up after a meal.
The classic mimosa stars orange juice and champagne: but why not add bright red strawberries to the mix? Pureeing fresh strawberries with the orange juice adds fruity berry notes to the flavor palate. Even better, the color is vibrantly rosy! It’s a stunning brunch cocktail that makes any occasion more festive…even if it’s just a celebration for yourself!
Love a good sweet schmear on your bagel? Try this delightful homemade strawberry cream cheese! The flavor is so much tastier than the kind you can find at the store. It’s bright and fruity, with just the right light amount of sweetness. Use it for slathering bagels or toast, or even as a dip for strawberries.
Love margaritas and want another spin? Try this tasty and refreshing variation: a Strawberry Margarita! This one is icy and fruity, full of berry flavor but perfectly complimented with tangy lime and the bite of tequila. The marg pairs perfectly with fruit, and you'll fall in love with this one's vibrant color and sweet tart flavor.
Last up in our strawberry recipes: Strawberry Soda! It's sweetly refreshing, pairing a spray of bubbles with the sweet berry flavor of homemade strawberry syrup. It’s essentially the mocktail variation on this strawberry vodka cocktail, making it the perfect non-alcoholic option to serve alongside.
One of our favorite strawberry recipes is this over-the-top dessert: strawberry cheesecake ice cream! This homemade ice cream is decadent and rich, featuring zingy-sweet fruit against a creamy vanilla base and soft graham cracker chunks.
Buy ripe, in season strawberries
If you live in the US, you can buy strawberries at the grocery store any time of the year. But out of season, most grocery store strawberries taste tart and mealy. Ripe strawberries are exponentially tastier than buying out of season berries flown across the country!
Strawberries are best in the summer months in the US, or check for local berries from a farmers market. My first time biting into a local strawberry here in Indiana was transcendental. It was a bite of the purest pure strawberry flavor I had ever tasted. These strawberry recipes taste great with any strawberries, but they’re at their best with sweet, ripe local strawberries.
Frequently asked questions
Look for strawberries that are bright red, plump, and fragrant. The caps should be green and fresh-looking. Avoid strawberries that are mushy, bruised, or have mold. If you’re picking your own strawberries, choose ones that are fully ripe and have a sweet aroma.
To keep strawberries fresh for as long as possible, store them unwashed in the refrigerator. Place them in a single layer on a paper towel-lined container or plate to absorb any excess moisture. They will typically last for 3-5 days when stored properly.
Yes, strawberries freeze very well. Wash, hull, and slice the berries before placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for a few hours, then transfer the frozen berries to an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen strawberries can be used in smoothies, sauces, or baked goods. Go to How to Freeze Strawberries.
Strawberry Crisp
Indulge in the sweetness of summer with strawberry recipes that are perfect for every occasion! From refreshing drinks and desserts to crisp salads and smoothies, these recipes showcase the versatility of this beloved fruit.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the filling
- 2 pounds strawberries, fresh or frozen (about 6 ½ cups whole)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon orange zest* (or ½ teaspoon lemon zest)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For the crumble / crisp topping
- ¾ cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup all purpose flour or almond flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons cold salted butter (or coconut oil or vegan butter for vegan)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make the filling: Quarter the fresh berries. Or if using frozen, run the berries under warm water for about 1 minute in a strainer (they will still be mostly frozen but starting to thaw on the outside). Then mix with the filling ingredients in a bowl, then pour the filling into a round 9-inch pie pan, 9 x 9 inch baking dish or 7 x 11 baking dish.
- Make the topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nuts (if using) and kosher salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and then use your hands to mix it into the oats until fully distributed and a crumbly dough forms. It may take a while so be patient; you can also use a pastry cutter if you prefer. (If using coconut oil, it can be room temperature; use the same method to add it.) Pour the crumble on top and smooth it into an even layer with your fingers.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is evenly golden brown and the filling is bubbly (this will vary based on your oven and berries: it may be shorter or longer so keep an eye on it). Cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then serve warm. You can leave out your crisp on the counter for up to 1 day (covered, at night) so the crisp topping can stay crisp. After 1 day, refrigerate any leftovers.
Notes
*For a very forward orange flavor, use ⅓ to ½ teaspoon orange zest.