Freezing blueberries?

[blueangel]

Anybody have any tips? A friend brought me three ziplock bags full, and said I could freeze them...but I didn't ask how. I just feel like it should be more complicated than "throw the bag in the freezer, dummy." Add water? Double bag? Anything?

And yes, I am culinarily uneducated, despite too many hours in front of the food network. When I was sixteen my best friend and I had to call a neighbor because we didn't know how to boil the eggs for easter coloring.
Seriously - boil water and then put in eggs or put in eggs and bring to boil? We were

 

[formernyer]

If you don't plan to use them within 2-3 weeks, make sure you put them in FREEZER ziploc bags. Seal them almost all the way, then suck the remaining air out of the little hole you left (to create as close to a vacuum seal as you're going to get without a machine). That's all you need to do.

Keep in mind that blueberries will be slightly mushy when defrosted. They'll be best for muffins, cereal, etc. As for eating them plain, they'll taste fine but they'll look a little withered/soggy.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Put them in a single layer on a baking sheet or cookie sheet to freeze. Once frozen, you can throw them into a freezer bag. Most berries should be washed prior to freezing, but I have always heard that blueberries should not be washed first (they get less mushy that way). As the PP said, they will not have the same texture for eating by themselves, but they will be great for cooking as well as in yogurt, on cereal, in smoothies, etc. If you plan to use them mainly for smoothies, I would wash them first so you can use them frozen without further washing - the mushy factor won't matter!

 

[tinkarooni]

I freeze them every year. You can spread them out on a cookie sheet to freeze and then put them into a ziploc bag. this way tey don't all freeze togerther. Wash them and pat them dry first. Freezer Ziplocs. Voila!

 

[ZanneMarie]

Like formernyer said put them in freezer bags. Sucking the air out is a good idea--never did that before.

I do not wash them prior to freezing because I don't want the remaining water to freeze and make ice crystals all over the bluberries.

They are great in muffins etc but I will also add them to fruit salad and my favorite way to eat them is FROZEN!!! I love, love, love love frozen blueberries! When I was a kid I liked to eat frozen blueberry and peanut butter sandwiches--have not been brave enough as an adult to revisit the old favorite.

 

[ccdoster]

Don't wash them, just rinse them when your ready to use. They are mushy when thawed and I mainly use them for baking (I have a great blueberry bread recipe). If you have a toddler, my son loved frozen blueberries (and frozen peas). Just quickly rinse (if your thorough they will thaw and be mushy). They are less messy frozen than thawed too!

 

[LisaY]

Yum! That sounds great. Any way I could get that recipe? Is it online?

 

[disneynan]

I freeze them in measured 2 cup increments as most recipes will call for either 2 or 4 cups. When baking with frozen berries, I don't thaw. I just toss with a small amt of flour from the recipe and fold into the batter. I do carefully watch what I'm baking as occasionally it needs a few extra minutes with the frozen berries. I treat cranberries the same way. I buy them when they are cheap and plentiful during the holiday season and freeze to use year round. It is great to have a nice blueberry pie in the middle of winter!

 

[ccdoster]

I'll post the Blueberry bread recipe as soon as I can.

 

[blueangel]

Thanks everyone! I'll get some freezer bags and get on it.

I can't wait to try that blueberry bread recipe, ccdoster!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

We go blueberry picking every year and pick pounds upon pounds. We eat some fresh and freeze the rest. I have a strong lazy streak, and I alway skip the whole baking sheet thing. I just wash them and bag them in large freezer bags and freeze. I haven't had too many ice crystals - just some here and there. At first they taste really good frozen, but the longer you have them in the freezer, they seem to taste better for baked goods. They do have a different consistency, being more watery. I baked pies and they came out a little too watery for my taste, but muffins have always been great. They will last a long time. I have one bag left from last summer that is still fine, but if it is there when we pick again this summer, I'll probably just pitch it.

 

[limace]

WE also upick and freeze bags and bags. I generally don't wash them; if I do, I dry really thoroughly. With blueberries, I never bother with the spreading out on cookie sheets, as I find they don't clump together like other berries do.

I've had good luck making blueberry pie and we also always make blueberry vanilla bean syrup with ours and give jars away-great for pancakes, ice cream and even grilling salmon, and it keeps forever.

 

[ccdoster]

Yes, I am a sufferer of insomnia so here goes my Blueberry bread recipe

3 C flour
1 1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 C blueberries (I don't even thaw them)
2/3 C liquid oil
1 egg
1 C sour milk (1 C milk + 1 T vinegar let sit for 5 min.)
1 t vanilla
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts *optional (my DH doesn't like nuts in his breads)

topping:
1/2 C sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1 t butter/margarine

Mix all ingredients. Divide butter into 2 greased loaf pans (regular sized). Mix topping ingredients with fork. Topping should be crumbly. Sprinkle topping on loaves. Bake at 350 for approx 1 hour.

This is my favorite blueberry recipe. We eat one loaf and I stick the other in the freezer. When I want the other loaf I can pull it out and let it thaw at room temp, it thaws fairly quickly

Hope you guys like it. Enjoy!

 

[Married2theYeti]

Yes, I am a sufferer of insomnia so here goes my Blueberry bread recipe

3 C flour
1 1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 C blueberries (I don't even thaw them)
2/3 C liquid oil
1 egg
1 C sour milk (1 C milk + 1 T vinegar let sit for 5 min.)
1 t vanilla
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts *optional (my DH doesn't like nuts in his breads)

topping:
1/2 C sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1 t butter/margarine

Mix all ingredients. Divide butter into 2 greased loaf pans (regular sized). Mix topping ingredients with fork. Topping should be crumbly. Sprinkle topping on loaves. Bake at 350 for approx 1 hour.

This is my favorite blueberry recipe. We eat one loaf and I stick the other in the freezer. When I want the other loaf I can pull it out and let it thaw at room temp, it thaws fairly quickly

Hope you guys like it. Enjoy!

Thank you for sharing. Can't wait to try this. Sounds yummy!

 

[bellarella]

I lay them unwashed on a cookie sheet and freeze them. Once frozen I transfer them to zip lock bags. Then I wash them when I take them out. Usually washed blueberries don't get dried enough, I find, and get ice on them.

 

[gomomgo]

I lay them unwashed on a cookie sheet and freeze them. Once frozen I transfer them to zip lock bags. QUOTE]

2nd this. You can also use parchment or wax paper to line the trays.

If your freezer looks like mine, you will have to do some juggling for the trays. But they are not in there too long.

Enjoy!

 

[kid-at-heart]

Like most of the rest, I freeze using a cookie sheet. I do wash first, let drain well, then freeze overnight. Transfer to a ziplock bag, take out as much air as possible and then, when needed - use. I do the same with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, huckleberries (can't get them here but when we live in the NW... do miss having huckleberries...etc.) If I have not used all the berries by the next berry season, I take the "older" berries and make syrups for pancakes.

 

[blueangel]

I've had good luck making blueberry pie and we also always make blueberry vanilla bean syrup with ours and give jars away-great for pancakes, ice cream and even grilling salmon, and it keeps forever.

If I have not used all the berries by the next berry season, I take the "older" berries and make syrups for pancakes.

How do you make pancake syrup with the berries? I'd love to try that, too!

 

[ccdoster]

Yes, please pass on the syrup recipes. As a strawberry season is drawing to a close here (and in a week I think I overloaded my family on strawberries, made jam and strawberry bread (not as good as the blueberry bread), and some pies which my family didn't really like....)
I need all kinds of recipes that are freezable for:
blueberries,strawberries, raspberries, apples, etc. I always do the upick on all. Love the fruit. If only I could make it fresh again.
Please, PM me those recipes.

Right now in my freezer stash is 2 strawberry breads, 1 blueberry bread, 1 banana bread and Zucchini bread. Can you guess I love the breads

Tried applesauce last year but my family didn't seem to like it. If I make ice cream how long is it good for?

Anyway, need more suggestions. This is my first try at jams not sure how we'll like it.

 

[blueangel]

Can I get that zucchini bread recipe, too, ccdoster? I've heard of it being really yummy but never had the chance to try any!