Learn all the tips and tricks for freezing blueberries to extend the harvest. Freezing fresh berries is a great way to preserve this wonderful summer fruit without needing to know any special kitchen skills.

A glass bowl full of blueberries and a sprig of mint on a wooden board

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From baking to snacking, blueberries are a favorite fruit for people of all ages! Having some stashed in your freezer is like a delicious, delicious insurance policy.

Unlike making jam or a canning project, freezing fresh blueberries doesn’t require any special kitchen skills or equipment. If you have a baking sheet, 5 minutes, and a freezer, you too can stock your freezer with this amazing seasonal fruit.

And if you love the idea of preserving your own fruit, check out these posts on Freezing Peaches, Freezing Blackberries, Freezing Cherries, and How to Freeze Strawberries. And you’ll love my entire guide on how to freeze fresh produce.

Why should you freeze blueberries?

Have a stash of berries in your freezer essentials opens up the opportunity for so many amazing meals, snacks, or desserts.

I love to use frozen blueberries in things like: Blueberry Freezer Jam, Frozen Berry Cake, Blueberry Rhubarb Jam, Whole Wheat Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins, Fresh Blueberry Ice Cream, Healthy Tea Popsicles, mixed in with Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancakes, or as a topper for Easy Instant Pot Yogurt.

Do You have to wash blueberries before freezing them?

Yes! Washing (rinsing) your berries first will remove any dirt, debris, or grit. Fresh and clean berries prevent you from having to wash them before you use them.

a tray with frozen blueberries on parchment

How do you freeze blueberries without them getting mushy?

Following my steps below, your berries won’t be mushy when they are frozen, BUT, when frozen blueberries thaw, they will be soft, and a bit mushy. With that in mind, I wouldn’t use them for anything where appearance matters, like a cake or candies.

When you freeze blueberries in a single layer on a baking sheet, you are flash-freezing them. Flash freezing basically allows each berry to freeze separately. This will allow them to be stored together without being frozen in one big clump. Need 1 cup for a recipe? You can easily just scoop it out without having to hack at a brick of berries.

HOW TO STORE FROZEN Blueberries

You have multiple storage options for your berries:

Freezer-safe plastic bags – OR – reusable silicone Ziploc-style bags (these stand up making them easy to fill, and these bags are a bit easier to open)
Wide-mouth canning jars:
- 8 oz jam jars = 1 cup berries
- 16 oz pint jars = 2 cups berries
- 32 oz quart jars = 4 cups berries
Freezer-safe reusable glass containers
If zero waste is your jam, check out this post on Zero Waste Food Storage on how to green your kitchen.

How long can you keep fresh blueberries in the freezer?

Your berries will last for 6-12 months in the freezer. If you have a deep freeze, storing your frozen berries in there would be most effective and they will last longer than in a fridge/freezer combo.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

Most recipes do not require you to thaw your blueberries first. If you do need to thaw them, simply place them in a strainer/colander and gently rinse with warm water.
Toss frozen berries with 1 tbsp of all-purpose flour before adding to baked goods. This will keep them from sinking in the batter.

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