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By: Leigh Anne Wilkes
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Learning how to macerate strawberries is easy and the perfect way to sweeten berries that aren’t as sweet as you’d like.
Nothing is worse than buying a container of beautiful red strawberries at the store, getting home and discovering that they look better than they taste. Using this recipe, you can learn how to macerate strawberries and make them as sweet as you want.
What does Macerated Mean?
Macerated means to soften or sweeten by soaking in a liquid. It is the perfect way to sweeten strawberries that aren’t as sweet or ripe as you would like them. Fruit can be macerated in a liquid such as balsamic vinegar or liquor but it can also be macerated in sugar. The sugar pulls out the juices of the fruit forming a syrup and turns a tasteless berry into a sweet one.
How to Macerate Strawberries
- Place your clean, hulled, sliced fruit into a bowl.
- Sprinkle with sugar. Use 2 Tbsp of sugar per cup of fruit. The amount of sugar can vary depending on how ripe your fruit is and how sweet you want your fruit.
- Stir in the sugar and then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.
How Long Should I Macerate Fruit?
The macerating process will start right away and you will see the syrup begin to form. I like to allow them to macerate for at least 30 minutes but you can also do it overnight in the refrigerator. The longer they macerate, the softer the fruit will become and the more syrup will form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use frozen strawberries?
You can but the process is a bit different – defrost the strawberries first by leaving them in the refrigerator for at least four hours.
You’ll see that the defrosted strawberries have much more liquid than fresh strawberries. Once they are thawed, remove the berries from the liquid, add in the sugar to the juice and stir to dissolve, mix the berries back into the liquid.
How far ahead can you macerate strawberries?
You can begin macerating fruit up to 48 hours before you will be using it. Keep it stored in the refrigerator. But I find the best results are from 30 minutes before up to 24 hours.
Can I macerate other fruits?
Other fruits that macerate well are blueberries, raspberries and cherries.
Can you freeze macerated strawberries?
They can be frozen in an airtight container for up to six months. Remove as much air as possible from the container.
Flavor Variations
In addition to the sugar you can add in:
- Balsamic Vinegars
- Honey, maple syrup or agave nectar (instead of sugar)
- Cinnamon
- Citrus juice and zest
- Fresh, chopped herbs such as rosemary
- Dried Ginger
- Extracts like vanilla or almond
A few recipes to serve with macerated strawberries:
- Strawberries and Cream
- Lemon Pound Cake
- Grilled Brown Butter Pound Cake
More delicious strawberry recipes:
- Strawberry Pizza
- Strawberry Cream Pie
- Strawberry Sauce
- Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream
- Strawberry Bars
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4.90 from 37 votes
How to Macerate Strawberries
Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Learning how to macerate strawberries is easy and the perfect way to sweeten berries that aren't as sweet as you'd like.
serves: 8 servings
Prep:5 minutes minutes
Cook:30 minutes minutes
Rate Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries sliced
- 2-4 Tbsp sugar will vary according to sweetness of strawberries
Instructions
Combine 2-4 Tbsp of sugar to every cup of fruit. Stir to combine, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight
Tips & Notes:
You can but the process is a bit different – defrost the strawberries first by leaving them in the refrigerator for at least four hours.
You’ll see that the defrosted strawberries have much more liquid than fresh strawberries. Once they are thawed, remove the berries from the liquid, add in the sugar to the juice and stir to dissolve, mix the berries back into the liquid.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 30kcal (2%) Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) Protein: 1g (2%) Fat: 1g (2%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Sodium: 1mg Potassium: 28mg (1%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 7g (8%) Vitamin C: 10.6mg (13%) Calcium: 3mg Iron: 0.1mg (1%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
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4.90 from 37 votes (30 ratings without comment)
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Connie says
Just the help I needed
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Linda says
Thanks Leigh Anne .. would love to try your other recipes !
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