How to Freeze Blueberries + Storage Tips

Blueberries are one of my favorite parts of Michigan summers. I typically go blueberry picking in late July through August. I always have an abundance and need to find ways to preserve them to use throughout the year. The best way to preserve your blueberries is to freeze them.

How to freeze fresh blueberries?

Freezing blueberries is a very easy process. Here are the steps to freeze fresh blueberries.

1. Lay out your blueberries in a single layer on a baking sheet. You can use any type of flat surface, I find baking sheets to be the easiest.
2. Place the blueberries in the freezer. This lets the berries freeze individually and not all clump together.
3. Once they are hardened, place them in a freezer bag and keep them stored in the freezer.

To store frozen blueberries I like to use freezer bags. I have a few reusable Stasher bags that I love. I don’t have enough for all of my blueberries so I also use some zip-top bags. I found some that are compostable so I don’t have to use single-use plastic bags (linked below). You can also store them in Tupperware containers or jars.

Do blueberries need to be washed before freezing?

Blueberries do not need to be washed before freezing but I have found it much easier to wash them before freezing. If you wash blueberries before freezing they are all ready to use and you can toss them in your smoothies or baked goods right away. One thing to note, if washing them before make sure they dry fully before you store them. This will help them stay fresh longer and not stick together in the freezer bag.

The reason some people choose to wash them after is because there is a protective coating on the outside of the berries. This helps them stay fresh for longer. If this is important to you, you can freeze your blueberries right away and then rinse them before using them.

How to use frozen blueberries?

Now that you have a freezer full of frozen blueberries, how do you use them? There are many ways to use up your blueberries. You can add them to oatmeal, smoothies, and baking recipes, or you can just eat them on their own!

Best Recipes for Frozen Blueberries

Here are a few of my favorite ways to add blueberries to recipes throughout the year.

Easy Blueberry Lemon Cobbler

This is one of the easiest desserts to make any time of year. Since you bake down the berries, frozen blueberries are a great option for this recipe.

Blueberry and White Chocolate Scones

Frozen blueberries work great in baked goods. One of my favorites are these blueberry white chocolate scones. If using frozen blueberries just make sure to fold in the berries gently so they don't bleed into the dough too much.

Baked Blueberry Oatmeal

Another baked recipe that is perfect for frozen blueberries is any type of baked oatmeal. This is a banana blueberry baked oatmeal that is flavored with cinnamon and pecans.

How to keep frozen blueberries from bleeding?

You may notice when you use frozen blueberries they tend to color everything a dark blue/purple color. The best way I have found to get around this is to not mix them too much. If you are making pancakes, place the blueberries on each pancake with they are cooking instead of mixing it in the batter. When making muffins or other baked goods, mix the blueberries in right at the end so you can just fold them into the batter.

How long do frozen blueberries store?

You can store your frozen blueberries in the freezer for up to a year. They will probably last longer than that, but I have found that they are at their best flavor in the first 6 months. Mine never last that long anyway. I try to use them up before the next blueberry season.

Tips for Freezing Blueberries

• Place berries on parchment paper or a silicone mat. To make transferring your berries easier, try using parchment paper or a silicone mat on your baking tray. This way you can pick up the paper and slide the berries into the storage container easier.
• Make sure to date your bags. Before adding your blueberries to your freezer bags, date them so you know how old they are. This also helps if you get berries throughout the season. You will know which ones to use first.
• Make sure your berries are dry. This is especially important if you are washing your berries before freezing them. You want to make sure they are dry. Any excess moisture can cause freezer burn or harbor diseases. I like to set mine out on a tea towel after washing and lightly dry them with another towel on top. You can also let them sit out for a little bit to fully dry.