Can I Freeze Blueberries?

Do blueberries freeze well? Yes, they do! Find out how easy it is to enjoy Georgia blueberries all year round. 

Yes, you can freeze blueberries. On our farm, we freeze enough to last long after the summer ends. This lets us enjoy blueberry muffins, pancakes and even smoothies all winter. 

There’s really no wrong way to freeze a blueberry. You can rinse them and put them in resealable bags or put the pint container that you bought them in directly in your freezer. The incredible health benefits of this powerful superfood won’t be affected by either method. 

For me, the easiest way to freeze blueberries is the ‘as-is’ method. I’m blessed to be able to pick berries from our farm… but these steps work with ones you buy in the supermarket or from my shop as well.

How to Freeze Blueberries

1. Buy fresh blueberries. If you’re using berries that you picked, make sure they’ve come to room temperature before putting them in the freezer. 
2. Put the berries in resealable plastic bags. There’s no need to rinse them before putting them in bags. If you do rinse them, make sure they’re completely dry before putting them in bags. I don’t rinse mine so they come out individually when I’m ready to cook, and I can take out only what I need for that recipe. 
3. When you’re ready for a taste of summer, take out the frozen blueberries, rinse and enjoy!

Frozen blueberries can last up to 10 months and are perfect for smoothies, overnight oatmeal, or your favorite muffin. You can also use frozen blueberries to make jam and jelly. 

How to Thaw Frozen Blueberries 

Thawing frozen blueberries is just as easy as freezing them. The best method is to put them in the fridge the night before you want to use them. This lets them thaw out slowly.

If you don’t have a night to spare (or you have company coming over and need blueberries now!), place what you need in a colander and run water over them. Make sure that you don’t use hot water as this will make them mushy. 

Only use the microwave if you’re going to cook with the berries. The intense heat will cause them to lose their firmness.  

Are Frozen Blueberries Good for You?

Frozen blueberries are just as good for you as ones fresh off the bush. When it comes to health benefits, they match fresh blueberries with no value lost.  

The main reason for freezing them is so you can enjoy them long after the season ends. 

• One cup of unsweetened frozen blueberries is loaded with Vitamin K. (That 1 cup covers ⅓ of your recommended Vitamin K for the day!) 
• One cup of frozen blueberries (unsweetened, of course) contains Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, fiber, manganese, iron, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. 
• One cup of frozen blueberries keeps your digestive system regular because of their high fiber content. 
• Frozen blueberries help strengthen and improve bone and brain health.
• Frozen blueberries help dissolve bad cholesterol and encourage weight loss!  
• Frozen blueberries help improve and prevent skin damage from the sun and pollution.
• Research from South Dakota State University actually discovered that Anthocyanins (antioxidants) are responsible for the color in blueberries and are improved by freezing blueberries. 

How to Cook with Frozen Blueberries

When it comes to blueberries, it’s super easy to replace fresh with frozen. They even work for making blueberry jam and are often cheaper than fresh berries! 

Frozen berries are an easy substitute for any recipe calling for fresh. The only exception is if you need them for a topping – like on top of a pie or as a finishing touch on a cake. If that’s the case, you can’t beat fresh. 

No matter what you’ve got cooking, frozen blueberries are easy to work with and add the perfect blend of sweet and tart, so make sure you’ve got a supply ready in your freezer. 

1. Eat them while they’re still frozen as a delicious snack. 
2. Drop a few berries on top of your favorite morning cereal. 
3. Add a handful to your smoothie instead of adding ice. 
4. Mix frozen blueberries into a hot bowl of oatmeal to cool it down (great idea for kids) and add flavor. 
5. Add frozen blueberries to a glass of sweet tea or lemonade for a summer treat that beats the heat.