Luscious, fragrant strawberries are the simplest of pleasures — a perfectly ripe strawberry tastes amazing while providing a dose of vitamin C and antioxidants. We’ve put together 21 fun and delicious ways to use strawberries beyond adding a burst of sweetness to your morning granola or yogurt.
1. Chocolate Smoothie
Add 2–4 fresh or frozen strawberries and a scoop of your favorite chocolate protein powder to transform a smoothie into a decadent “chocolate-dipped strawberry” concoction.
2. Watermelon Smoothie
Blend 2–3 strawberries, coconut water and a few torn leaves of basil with a cup of seedless watermelon chunks for a super-hydrating, fat-free smoothie.
3. Pink Lemonade
Mash a pint of strawberries with a spoonful of raw sugar before adding to a pitcher of lemon juice and water for a fresh version of pink lemonade.
4. Infused Water
A sliced strawberry, a wedge of lime and a sprig of mint added to your bottle of water may encourage you to drink up.
5. Summer Sangria
Soak sliced strawberries in white rum, then make super summery sangria by scooping some of the fruit into a glass and topping with chilled white or sparkling wine.
6. Sweet Mocktail
Muddle a few hulled strawberries with mint at the bottom of a glass, add ice cubes and sparkling water for a refreshing, fancy mocktail.
7. As Ice
Use frozen strawberries in place of ice cubes to impress your guests with your entertaining chops à la Martha Stewart.
8. Simple Salsa
Fresh, ripe strawberries chopped with poblano chiles, green onion and a squeeze of lime make an excellent twist on pico de gallo. This version with cucumber is good too.
9. Easy Jam
A pound of hulled strawberries, half a cup of sugar (adjust this to taste), and two tablespoons of lemon juice, mashed well and simmered on the stove until thickened, make for a quick, put-on-everything jam.
10. Strawberry Butter
Mix 1/4 cup chopped strawberries, a stick of unsalted butter and your favorite sweetener (to taste) to create a luxurious topping for waffles, pancakes and toast.
11. Caprese Salad
Think of strawberries as tomatoes: Strawberry, basil and mozzarella are killer together. As is this Strawberry Spinach Salad.
12. Greek Salad
Similarly, slice strawberries and toss them with chopped cucumber, feta and mint with a bit of high-quality olive oil.
13. Spicy Snack
Chopped or sliced strawberries with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of chipotle powder make a simple snack inspired by Mexican street-food vendors.
14. Dehydrated
Slice and dehydrate strawberries for snacking on the go: Use a dehydrator or a wire rack over a baking sheet in an oven at its lowest temperature.
15. Grilled
Stack strawberries onto a skewer, brush with balsamic vinegar and grill for 3–4 minutes on each side.
16. Roasted
Spread hulled strawberries in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 15–20 minutes at 375°F. Serve with sweet or savory dishes.
17. Stuffed
In a small bowl, mix half a cup of Neufchatel cheese, a couple teaspoons lemon juice, a splash of vanilla and one tablespoon powdered sugar. Spoon or pipe into hulled strawberries for a “one-bite” dessert.
18. Insta-Sorbet
Put 2 cups frozen strawberries, a touch of your favorite sweetener and a little bit of water or coconut water, start to blend on low then gradually increase speed to the highest setting. Voila! A soft sorbet. Or try this Strawberry Granita.
19. Ice “Cream”
For something creamier, whirl 2 frozen bananas until they look crumbly, scraping down the sides as needed. Add a few strawberries and a splash of almond milk (or your favorite non-dairy milk) and continue to blend until it looks like soft-serve ice cream.
20. Quick Sauce
To use up strawberries that are getting too ripe: Put them in a bowl, add a touch of sweetener and mash or blend into a simple sauce.
21. Fruit Roll-Ups
Another overripe option: puree, pour onto a dehydrator tray and dehydrate for homemade fruit roll ups. A parchment-lined baking sheet and the lowest oven temperature setting can work if you don’t have a dehydrator.
READ MORE > 11 SCRUMPTIOUS STRAWBERRY RECIPES
Bonus Tip: If you’re skin needs a little brightening, the fruit acids (alpha-hydroxy acids or AHAs) and vitamin C in strawberries can help — both are used in commercial skincare products. Make a simple face mask with 2–3 mashed strawberries and a tablespoon of raw honey for an all-natural exfoliating mask that smells like summer.
