Last Updated on February 2, 2023
Today, we’re going to be taking a look at what to do with unripe strawberries. Juicy, sweet strawberries are the tell-tale sign that summer has finally arrived. However, once the summer months are over, and the colder seasons set in, strawberries don’t taste quite as good and unripe strawberries can become a problem.
Whether they’re still slightly green, or have a slightly sour taste – there are plenty of ways to still use them and bring them back to their usually sweet selves. So what to do with unripe strawberries? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Strawberries?
Strawberries are eaten all across the world and are cultivated around the globe. This fruit is best known for its juicy interior and it’s striking bright red flesh. Like most berries, strawberries are sweet and have a very distinct aroma. As well being sold on it’s own, it’s also used as a flavoring in foods such as ice cream, milkshakes, pies, and jams/jellies. In fact, strawberry is one of the most popular flavors for flavored foods, along with chocolate and vanilla.
Nutritonal Information of Strawberries
You may be curious as to the nutritional value when it comes to strawberries. Each 100g serving of raw strawberries contains the following:
- Calories: 32
- Water: 91%
- Carbohydrates: 7.7g
- Sugar: 4.9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Fat: 0.3g
- Protein: 0.7g
Health Benefits of Strawberries
Like all fruits, strawberries are extremely good for you and nutritious. As well as that, they offer a range of health benefits. Some of those benefits include:
- help to keep your heart healthy
- increase good levels of cholesterol
- help to regulate blood pressure
- packed with fiber and vitamins
- high levels of antioxidants
- suitable for any dietary lifestyle
- low calorie and fat free
- sodium free
- cholesterol free
Can You Eat Unripe Strawberries?
While you may have been taught otherwise, it is completely safe to consume unripe strawberries. While they may not be as juicy and sweet as ripe strawberries, they can still be eaten and used in a variety of ways. Many people add green strawberries to dishes to bring more acidity to the dish. As well as that, it’s great for adding a different texture too. However you choose to use them, they’re safe to eat!
Do Strawberries Continue to Ripen After Picked?
Unfortunately, like any fruit, once it has been harvested it will no longer continue to grow; and therefore will not ripen. If you pick a green strawberry, it will always be that way. But you can still eat the strawberry and use it in cooking.
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How to Ripen Strawberries Already Picked?
While this won’t make the strawberries ripen, if you want the strawberries to taste sweeter and become slightly juicier, you can try submerging them into a bowl full of water. After around 2 days, you should start to notice the difference in texture and flavor. While this may not always work, it’s definitely worth a try if you want to revitalize your strawberries.
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How to Make Sour Strawberries Sweet?
Some strawberries can taste sour and lose their juicy, sweet goodness. However, if you’re looking for an easy way to make strawberries sweeter, you’ve come to the right place. All you need is 1 tablespoon of sugar for every 1lb of strawberries. Then all you do is wash and cut your strawberries to your required size and place them in a bowl with the sugar. Mix well and then store in an airtight container for at least several hours. After this time, you’ll have sweet and juicy strawberries once more!
What to do With Unripe Strawberries
There are plenty of ways to use unripe strawberries in your cooking. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Strawberry Syrup. This is one of the easiest ways to use them. Just add your berries to a pan with a small amount of sugar and reduce. Pour the sauce over desserts such as pancakes for a sweet, slightly tart flavor.
- Smoothies. If you start your day off with a smoothie, or have one as a snack throughout the day, unripe strawberries are a great addition whereby they won’t go to waste.
- Pickled Strawberries. You can either eat them as they are, or add to foods such as salads, tacos and sandwiches for a sharp flavor.
Pickled Green Strawberries Recipe
We mentioned that pickling strawberries is a great way to utilize green strawberries. If you’re looking for a quick, fail-safe recipe that’s absolutely delicious, then this is the recipe for you.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of washed unripe strawberries
- 1 tsp of black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp of caraway seeds
- 1 tsp of yellow mustard seeds
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp of honey
- 1 1/2 tsp of salt
Recipe – What To Do With Unripe Strawberries
Step 1: Prepare Strawberries
Clean a jar and ensure it’s completely dry. Wash your strawberries and place them into the jar, along with the peppercorns, yellow mustard seeds, caraway seeds, and bay leaves. Leave to one side.
Step 2: Heat Liquids
Add the following ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat: cider vinegar, white vinegar, honey, and salt. Leave to simmer for around 8 minutes, until the salt has completely dissolved. Remove from heat and leave to cool. Once cool, pour the liquid into the jar of strawberries. Seal and shake gently, ensuring the strawberries are completely covered. Place in the refrigerator for several hours before using. They are suitable to store in the fridge for up to 2 days before use. Serve and enjoy!
What To Do With Unripe Strawberries: A Guide
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries – Clean a jar and ensure it’s completely dry. Wash your strawberries and place them into the jar, along with the peppercorns, yellow mustard seeds, caraway seeds and bay leaves. Leave to one side.
- Heat Liquids – Add the following ingredients to a saucepan over a medium heat: cider vinegar, white vinegar, honey and salt. Leave to simmer for around 8 minutes, until the salt has completely dissolved. Remove from heat and leave to cool.
- Once cool, pour the liquid into the jar of strawberries. Seal and shake gently, ensuring the strawberries are completely covered. Place in the refrigerator for several hours before using. They are suitable to store in the fridge for up to 2 days before using. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Conclusion – What To Do With Unripe Strawberries
I hope this post has given you some ideas on what to do with unripe strawberries. These are just a few ways to ensure you’re not wasting any food, that you may have once thrown away. Unripe strawberries are completely safe to eat and are great in many dishes.
Do you have any other ideas on what to do with unripe strawberries? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!
