Don't throw away mushy strawberries! Tap into creative ways to use overripe strawberries, from desserts like strawberry pie, cake and ice pops to savory recipes like salsa and vinaigrette.
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Strawberry Pies, Crisps and Cobblers
When coated in sugar and baked in a hot oven, even the freshest strawberries will soften and get a little mushy. This makes overripe strawberries the perfect candidate for flaky strawberry pie, sweet-tart strawberry-rhubarb cobbler or oat-topped strawberry crisp.
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Strawberry Jams and Jellies
Let overripe strawberries simmer away on the stovetop and turn them into a strawberry jam to spread on toast and muffins. You can use it all year long in creative recipes with strawberry jam.
What’s the difference between jam, jelly and preserves? They’re all made from a combination of fruit and pectin, but jellies are made with juice, jams with crushed fruit and preserves with whole chunks of fruit.
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Strawberry Ice Pops and Popsicles
For a sweet summer treat, make homemade strawberry popsicles by pureeing overripe strawberries and pouring them into molds. You can also add other ingredients to create strawberry banana popsicles or strawberry paletas.
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Strawberry Dips and Compotes
Strawberries can be used for more than just jam. Dice overripe strawberries with apples, raspberries and apricot preserves for a special fruit salsa. Serve it with homemade cinnamon-sugar chips.
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Strawberry Cocktails
Rosemary strawberry daiquiris, margaritas, strawberry mimosas and more—your options are almost limitless when it comes to making a berry-infused cocktail using overripe strawberries. This strawberry mojito sounds particularly refreshing.
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Strawberry Cakes, Cupcakes and Muffins
Just as overripe bananas are ideal for baking, overripe strawberries make some divinely delicious baked treats. Make an adorable pink-hued strawberry cake or these decadent strawberry cheesecake cupcakes for an upcoming celebration, or whip up a batch of strawberry muffins for breakfast or snacks.
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Strawberry Vinaigrettes and Salad Dressings
We love strawberry salads, but mushy fruit isn’t quite right on a crisp salad. If your strawberries have passed their peak of freshness, you can still use them to make a stellar dressing or strawberry vinaigrette to coat your bed of greens.
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Strawberry Breakfast Bakes
Perfectly ripe strawberries may be best for garnishing waffles and pancakes, but overripe strawberries still have a place on your brunch menu. Add them to some egg-soaked challah or brioche to make strawberry-banana French toast, or swirl them into baked goods like strawberry oatmeal bars.
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Strawberry Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to use up past-their-prime strawberries. Freeze the berries, then add them to a blender with other fruit, veggies and yogurt for an easy strawberry smoothie. Combine them with other fruits for healthy smoothie recipes for breakfast on the go.
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Strawberry Ice Creams and Sorbets
Get out your ice cream maker or order one pronto so you can put those overripe strawberries to work in homemade strawberry ice cream or strawberry gelato. Or skip the ice cream machine and make strawberry ice or strawberry sorbet.
What to Do with Overripe Strawberries FAQ
Can you freeze overripe strawberries?
You can freeze overripe strawberries as long as they’re not moldy. Wash and hull strawberries, then slice off any mushy spots with a paring knife. Freeze strawberries in a single layer on a baking sheet to keep them from sticking together. Transfer them to a zip-top bag and freeze for up to a year, although we recommend using them within six months for best quality.
What desserts can you make with overripe strawberries?
Overripe strawberries can be used to make almost any dessert, including cakes, cupcakes, pies, cobblers, crisps, ice cream and sorbet. Because strawberries become softer and sweeter as they age, they’re ideal for dessert recipes where they’ll be cooked down or mashed.
Are old strawberries safe to eat?
Old strawberries are safe to eat so long as they don’t show signs of molding. A bit of mushiness is OK, but you’ll want to toss it if the entire berry is mushy or shows signs of molding.
