Use Ball Fruit-Fresh Produce Protector to keep your strawberries fresh and delicious for up to a week. This simple method involves rinsing and draining fresh strawberries, then gently tossing them with Fruit-Fresh powder before storing in an airtight container lined with paper towels. A quick, food-safe trick to preserve color, flavor, and texture while preventing early spoilage or mold.
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Strawberry season is always one of the most delicious times of the year for me and my family. From plain, juicy berries to homemade Chocolate- Dipped Strawberries, we absolutely love any and all recipes that revolve around those delectable berries. What I don’t love is reaching for that brand new pack of fresh strawberries only to find that half of them have already withered down to mush. In situations like this I can’t help but to find myself thinking “I could have sworn I just bought those!” And the sad part is that I did just buy them. As most of us berry lovers know, while fresh strawberries are absolutely mouth- wateringly delicious, they don’t stay that fresh for very long.... Not without a little help, that is.
Watch how I make this recipe
Extending the freshness of strawberries is actually really easy to do and the process takes only a few minutes. Considering that the berries will last a few days longer by doing this, it is well worth the few extra steps it takes to prepare them. There are a few different easy methods that I have tried for prolonging my strawberries shelf life. One of these methods is by soaking the strawberries with Ball Fruit- Fresh Produce Protector. This produce protector is a powder used to prolong the freshness and life of fruits and veggies without changing their natural flavors. Sounds pretty great, right? Right. So let me break down the steps for you so that your strawberries stay big, bright, and beautiful long enough for you to devour each one!
Equipment for Stretching Strawberry Freshness
Luckily, to accomplish this strawberry- saving project you won’t need a lot of materials or equipment. Just a few things that are commonly found in most household kitchens already. For this strawberry preparation all you will need is:
Strawberry- Saving Ingredients
If you guessed that you would not need very many ingredients for this little project then I’m happy to inform you that you are correct! Simple materials, simple ingredients, I find it all to be simply and delightfully easy!
- 4 teaspoon Ball Fruit Fresh Produce Protector
- 2 cups water cold
- Fresh strawberries
How to Extend the Life of Strawberries using Ball Fruit- Fresh Powder
Now it’s time to get down to business and tell you how it’s done so you can skip the strawberry blues and keep the strawberry bliss going instead. I promise it only takes a few short minutes and that the results are worth every bit of it. You will be so thrilled once you give it a try for yourself and see how much longer your strawberries will last for you!
- First, gather the equipment, strawberries, and other ingredients.
- Next, measure out 2 cups of cold water and 4 tsps of the Ball Fruit Fresh Produce Protector. Mix the powder and water into a large glass mixing bowl, then add in the strawberries.
- Let the strawberries soak for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer the strawberries to a spider strainer and rinse under cold water.
- After rinsing, move the strawberries to another glass bowl lined with paper towels. Dry off the strawberries as best you can with another paper towel or 2, then let the berries sit to finish drying completely.
- Once the strawberries are dry, cover the top of the glass bowl with Press N’ Seal food wrap and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.
- Strawberries prepared this way will stay fresh for 5 days.
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Kitchen Tips:
- If you have a salad spinner in your home kitchen then you can use it to speed up the drying process without damaging the strawberries.
- If you run into some strawberries that have a little bit of rot on them, you don’t have to toss them out! Just cut off the bad spot and freeze the good part for later use.
Sweet Strawberry Recipes
If you are a fellow strawberry fan then you already know how versatile -and yummy- they can be. Whether they play as a main ingredient in a dish or just as a lovely and tasty dessert topper, they are sure to add a little taste of fresh flavor to any homemade treat. Want some new recipe ideas to try? Here are a few of my favorites to check out!
Use Ball- prepared Strawberries:
- In fruit salad
- Try in some homemade fruit- Infused Water
- Chocolate- Dipped Strawberries
- Gorgeous and easy topping for cakes like my Red Velvet Bundt Cake
- Also try as a beautiful, fresh topping on top of:
- Cupcakes
- Pies
- French Toast
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Ice cream sundae
- Yogurt
- Perfect for fun snack boards such as:
From My Kitchen to Yours
Strawberry Recipes
- 4 Easy Ways to Keep Strawberries Fresh for Longer
- Keep strawberries fresh in the refrigerator
- How to Keep Strawberries Fresh with a Vinegar Wash
- Red and Pink Charcuterie Board for Valentine’s Celebrations
- Red Velvet Bundt Cake with Strawberries and Cream Cheese Glaze
- How to Make Chocolate Dipped Strawberries That Look Professional
How to keep strawberries fresh with Ball fruit-fresh produce protector
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Ingredients
- 4 teaspoon Ball Fruit Fresh Produce Protector
- 2 cups water cold
Instructions
- First, gather the equipment, strawberries, and other ingredients.
- Next, measure out 2 cups of cold water and 4 tsps of the Ball Fruit Fresh Produce Protector. Mix the powder and water into a large glass mixing bowl, then add in the strawberries.
- Let the strawberries soak for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer the strawberries to a spider strainer and rinse under cold water.
- After rinsing, move the strawberries to another glass bowl lined with paper towels. Dry off the strawberries as best you can with another paper towel or 2, then let the berries sit to finish drying completely.
- Once the strawberries are dry, cover the top of the glass bowl with Press N’ Seal food wrap and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use them. Strawberries prepared this way will stay fresh for 5 days.
I’ve Got Answers
How long will strawberries last after using Ball Fruit-Fresh Produce Protector?
When prepared with this method, strawberries can stay fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. This is longer than just storing them in their original packaging.
Does the Ball Fruit-Fresh Produce Protector change the flavor of the strawberries?
No, the produce protector is specifically designed to preserve freshness without altering the natural taste of the fruit.
Can I use this same method on other fruits and vegetables?
Yes! Ball Fruit-Fresh works on many types of produce such as apples, peaches, and pears. It helps prevent browning and extends shelf life while keeping flavors intact.
Do I need to rinse the strawberries after soaking them in the solution?
Yes. After soaking, use a spider strainer to lift the strawberries out and rinse them under cold water before drying and storing.
What is the best way to dry the strawberries before storage?
Lay them out on paper towels and gently pat them dry. For faster results, you can also use a salad spinner with a gentle setting.
Food Photography & Video Tips from My Studio
Here’s a peek at the tools, gear, and camera setups I use to film my recipe videos and photograph food at home. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of different setups, and now I’m sharing what actually works for me—whether I’m filming overhead shots for YouTube or styling still photos for my blog. If you’re curious about how I create the content you see here, these posts are a great place to start.
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