A Berrylicious Guide: How to Freeze Raspberries

Raspberries are a delightful summer treat, bursting with flavor and nutritional goodness.

I’m not one to pick favorites when it comes to fruits, but I’ve gotta say, raspberries are by far one of my best for all kinds of desserts and salads.

From raspberry muffins to raspberry puree, raspberry ice cream to even raspberry jam, I’m a sucker for them all. 

Loads of people (me included) love to take advantage of the warmer months whenever these delicious fruits are available, but what happens when they’re not?

I believe there’s absolutely no reason for us to miss out on our favorite raspberry recipes just because it’s no longer raspberry season.

That’s why I always freeze a fresh batch so I can enjoy the delectable fruits all year round.

Read on if you want to learn just how!

Can you freeze raspberries?

Raspberries can be easily frozen to extend their shelf life.

After the fresh fruit has been prepared adequately, you can pop them in the freezer and take them out whenever you’re in need of some for your favorite recipes.

If you have a bunch lying around and you have no idea what to do with them soon, what are you waiting for? Don’t let those fruits go to waste! Freeze them now and use them later.

What you need

Before we dive right into the raspberry freezing process, it’s super important you have the following essentials handy:

1. Fresh Raspberries: Collecting the raspberries fresh before prepping to freeze is a must. Choose ripe, plump raspberries at their peak of ripeness for the best flavor and texture.
2. Baking Sheet or Tray: You wouldn’t want the berries to stick together and clump up during the freezing process so you’ll need a baking sheet or tray to prevent that.
3. Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Another problem you might run into is the fruits sticking to the baking sheet or tray as we freeze them. To avoid that, you’ll need some parchment paper or silicone baking mat to line the baking sheet and ensure easy removal of frozen raspberries.
4. Airtight Freezer Bags or Containers: To prevent freezer burn and to make sure you end up with the best version of frozen raspberries possible, artight freezer bags or containers are an absolute must. 
5. Labeling Materials: It’s important you keep track of the date you stowed away your frozen fruit in the freezer and a marked label will help you do just that. 

How to prep your raspberries for freezing

To make sure those fresh raspberries stay safe to eat, you’re going to have to prepare them properly before storing them in the freezer. Follow these steps to ensure your berries remain as fresh as possible:

1. Inspect and Sort: Closely examine every single one of your raspberries, discarding any that are overripe or have mold. Make sure you also handle them gently so they don’t get crushed.
2. Wash Thoroughly: Place the raspberries in a colander or strainer and rinse them with cold water, preferably running water. Be careful not to soak them, as raspberries are delicate and can absorb excess moisture, increasing their water content. 
3. Drain and Dry: After rinsing them with cool water, allow the raspberries to drain in the colander for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to gently pat them dry. Removing excess water helps prevent ice crystals from forming during freezing.

How to freeze raspberries

Now that your raspberries are sparkling clean and dry, it’s time to freeze them properly:

1. Single Layer arrangement: Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spread the dry and fresh raspberries in a single layer on the tray. Make sure they don’t touch each other during this phase so they don’t end up clumping together.
2. Flash freeze: Place the tray of washed raspberries in the freezer and let them pre-freeze for about 2-3 hours or until they are very firm to the touch. This step is important so they retain their individual shape and don’t become solid blocks when stored.
3. Transfer to Storage: Transfer the fruits to airtight freezer bags or freezer containers. Remove as much air as possible from the bags before sealing them, or use a vacuum-sealing system for best results. Label the containers with the date and contents for easy identification.
4. Final Freeze: Place the sealed bags or containers in the freezer. Raspberries can be stored in the freezer for up to 6-12 months. Ensure they are stored away from strong-smelling foods to avoid absorbing unwanted odors.
5. Enjoy as Needed: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen raspberries, just take out how much you want from the freezer, and they’re ready to use. You can add them to smoothies, bake them into muffins, or make a delectable raspberry sauce for desserts!

Should I wash fresh raspberries before freezing?

You should wash your fresh raspberries before freezing so they’re more convenient to use when thawed.

That way, you’d just have to start using them for whatever you wanted once they’re out of the freezer instead of going through the stress of having to wash them before doing so. 

Does freezing raspberries make them sour?

Freezing raspberries does change the texture and taste of the fruits so there’s a chance that your frozen raspberries might end up with a slightly sour flavor. 

Whether you plan on using the raspberries for dishes and treats that involve having them unprocessed, with nothing added and whole or not, this shouldn’t be much of a problem for you.

Do raspberries get mushy after freezing?

Since freezing changes the texture of your fresh fruits and produce, raspberries do tend to become soft and mushy once taken out of the freezer and left to thaw.

Pineapples are a great example of this (Here’s an article on how you can freeze pineapples if you’re curious by the way!).

Flash freezing should help lessen their tendency to become mushy and soft once thawed so be sure you don’t skip that step as you prep your berries for freezing!

How long do raspberries last in the fridge?

Raspberries can last up to a week in the fridge if they’re picked fresh, prepped and stowed away properly. 

I like to give my raspberries a good wash, make sure they’re dry then throw them into a bowl, cover it up with a plastic wrap and then pop them into the cooler drawer of my fridge.

It’s the best way to store fresh raspberries if you plan on using them in a few days’ time.

How do you defrost raspberries?

Whenever I plan to use my raspberries for a recipe, I take them out of the freezer and let them thaw in my fridge overnight.

But, if I plan on using them that day, I’ll throw the berries into a bowl filled with cold water and wait for them to defrost.

For the times I’m impatient (which I usually am) and forget to plan ahead, I usually put the berries into a microwave and warm them up a bit so I can use them as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Freezing raspberries is a fantastic way to extend their shelf life and ensure you always have a supply of these juicy, antioxidant-rich berries on hand.

With the right preparation and storage, you can savor the taste of summer no matter the season.

Speaking of savoring the summer, have a look at these articles on how to freeze asparagus, if broccoli can be stored in the freezer, how to preserve brussels sprouts and even how to keep beetroot in a freezer to get the most out of your fresh produce!