How to Freeze Blueberries (For Any Use)

Learning how to freeze blueberries is vital knowledge for those of us on a health and/or fitness journey.

Maybe you went blueberry picking and went a little wild. Or perhaps you found a stellar deal at the grocery store. Whatever the reason, these powerful little berries are a powerhouse of blue food regarding nutrition.

Health gurus can attest to the appeal and convenience of whipping up a fast and delicious bowl of blueberry oatmeal. Or blending a refreshing fruit smoothie within minutes of when we need it. 

Unfortunately, the quality of blueberries quickly declines after we buy them from the grocery store or farmers’ market. The two-week shelf life of refrigerated blueberries isn’t long enough to keep up with our demanding lifestyles. But freezing fresh blueberries gives us access to this nutrient-dense fruit for up to six months at a time.

Let’s explore how to freeze blueberries the right way. We’ll also recommend some mouth-watering blueberry recipes for you to try.

What is the Best Way to Freeze Blueberries?

Freezing blueberries for meal prep is a rather simple process. This process can be perfected by learning a few tips and tricks to avoid early spoilage or a mushy texture. Freezing blueberries helps maintain the vitamin c, vitamin k, manganese, and fiber content.

Unlike vegetables, fruits are not blanched before storing in the freezer. This is because fruits are usually served raw. The enzymes that cause browning in fruits can be slowed by rinsing the fruit in vinegar or ascorbic acid. 

If the fruit is dried afterward, this can improve the shelf-life of the frozen produce. It is also recommended to use airtight storage containers wherever possible. This prevents oxidation and the development of rancid flavors.

How Do You Freeze Blueberries Without Them Getting Mushy?

Blueberries need to be frozen as quickly as possible to preserve the taste and firm texture of the fruit. This can be done by placing the blueberries on a sheet pan and freezing them at a very low temperature. After a few hours, the frozen blueberries should be transferred to a freezer-safe bag. 

Flash-freezing produce prevents large ice crystals from forming within the fruit. The formation of large ice crystals punctures and damages the fruit’s cell walls. This causes the fruit to become mushy and have a reduced shelf life.

 Do Blueberries Need to Be Washed Before Freezing?

The short answer to this question is: absolutely not. Blueberries have a natural protective coating known as the ‘bloom’. The bloom is a white, waxy powder on the blueberry that seals in the fruit’s moisture. It also repels pests and bacteria. 

Washing blueberries before freezing makes them clump together. Especially if they are not dried with paper towels before freezing. This is very inconvenient if you prefer to take out a few blueberries for use, rather than defrost the whole bag. 

While it’s good practice to always wash fruit before eating, you can always wash them right before use.

How to Freeze Blueberries in a Ziploc Bag

Using a Ziploc plastic bag is the cheapest, most convenient way to store produce in the freezer. Removing the air from Ziploc freezer bags can get a little tricky if you don’t have a few hacks up your sleeve. 

The easiest hack we’ve found is to seal the freezer bag most of the way, and then place a plastic straw in the corner of the bag. Extract as much air as you can using the straw. Then remove the straw before sealing the Ziploc bag shut. 

This hack will help you to save space in your freezer. It will also preserve the shelf life of your blueberries and save them from the dreaded freezer burn.

How to Freeze Blueberries: Step-by-Step

Freezing blueberries is a simple three-step process that takes only a few hours. Here is how it’s done step by step:

Step 1

Place the unwashed blueberries on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Arrange the blueberries in a single layer on the sheet pan.

Step 2

Rest the baking sheet in your freezer for at least 5 hours, or until the blueberries freeze solid.

Step 3

Transfer the frozen berries to any airtight storage containers of your choice.

 If you prefer to wash your produce before freezing, rinse the blueberries in cold water first. Afterwards, dry the blueberries before completing the above instructions. 

Don’t forget to label your blueberry-filled storage bags/containers with the current date.  Now you will enjoy a never-ending supply of blueberries to make tasty treats. Like blueberry pancakes, blueberry pie, and even blueberry sauce.

Freezing Blueberries FAQS

What are the best containers to freeze blueberries in?

This is a great question, especially since there are so many options out there. (Hello, Amazon!) From glass containers to reusable freezer bags, below are our top choices for each option.

Best Reusable Freezer Bags

Best airtight glass container

Best plastic containers for freezing

What is the best way to freeze fresh blueberries?

To preserve fresh blueberries, place them in a single layer on a lined baking sheet without washing them first. The natural protective ‘bloom’ will retain moisture and keep pests away. Flash-freeze them for 1-2 hours and then transfer them to a labeled, freezer-safe bag or container. Properly stored, blueberries can maintain their quality for up to a year in the freezer.

Do blueberries get mushy after freezing?

When blueberries are frozen and thawed, their texture may change and they can become soft or mushy. But if they are stored properly, the change in texture will be minimal. Despite this, frozen blueberries are still a great ingredient for smoothies, baked goods, and sauces. The slight change in texture won’t be very noticeable in these recipes.

How long do fresh blueberries last in the freezer?

With proper storage, fresh blueberries can maintain their quality for up to 12 months in the freezer. Although their texture and flavor may start to deteriorate after that time, they will still be safe to eat.

Why are frozen blueberries so messy?

When frozen blueberries thaw, they release juices that can create a mess. The vibrant blueberry juice can leave stains on surfaces, hands, and clothes. Moreover, thawed blueberries may become soft and easily crushed, adding to the mess. To avoid the mess, handle frozen blueberries delicately and use them while still frozen in smoothies or freeze them in a bowl to collect the juices.

Recipes Using Frozen Blueberries

Blueberry Custard Cream Pie

Nana’s Blueberry Buckle

Denny’s Pancake Recipe

Berry Crumble

More How Tos

How to Cook Frozen Hash Browns

How to Boil and Egg in the Microwave

How to Freeze Fresh Corn on the Cob

How to Freeze Fresh Broccoli

Have questions or suggestions about how to freeze blueberries? Leave them in the comments below.