What to Do with a Flat of Strawberries

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Are you wondering what to do with a flat of strawberries? With their sweet and juicy flavor, strawberries Are you wondering what to do with a flat of strawberries before they go bad?

When strawberry season hits, it’s easy to come home with a full flat of fresh berries—but using them up quickly can feel overwhelming.

The good news is there are plenty of simple ways to preserve strawberries, cook with them, and enjoy them before they spoil.

Table of Contents

Whether you want to freeze them, make jam, or bake something delicious, this guide will help you make the most of your strawberries.

If you’re preserving strawberries, don’t miss my guide on how to preserve strawberries (canning, freezing & more)

You can also use this strawberry equivalents chart to measure berries for recipes.

How Many Strawberries Are in a Flat?

A full flat of strawberries equals:

8 quarts
About 12 pounds of strawberries

If you’re planning recipes or preserving, this helps you estimate how much you’ll need.

How to Choose and Prepare Strawberries

When selecting strawberries, look for berries that are:

Bright red and fully ripe
Firm, not mushy
Free of mold or bruising

Strawberries do not ripen after picking, so always choose ripe fruit.

Washing and Hulling

Rinse strawberries under cold water just before using them.

Remove the stems using a paring knife or strawberry huller.

How to Store Fresh Strawberries

Store unwashed strawberries in the refrigerator and use them within a few days.

For best results:

Keep them dry
Store in a single layer if possible
Wash only when ready to use

How to Preserve a Flat of Strawberries

If you have more strawberries than you can eat, preserving them is the best option.

Freeze Strawberries

Freezing strawberries is one of the easiest ways to keep them from going to waste. For best results, follow my method for how to freeze strawberries so they don’t get mushy.

Wash and hull strawberries
Place in a single layer on a baking sheet
Freeze until solid
Transfer to freezer bags

Frozen strawberries are perfect for smoothies, baking, and sauces.

Make Strawberry Jam

Homemade jam is one of the most popular ways to use a large amount of strawberries.

You only need:

Strawberries
Sugar
Lemon juice
Pectin

Try one of these recipes:

Can Strawberries for Long-Term Storage

Canning is a great way to preserve strawberries for up to a year.

Use tested recipes like:

Learn more about safe methods in my water bath canning for beginners guide.

Dry Strawberries

Drying strawberries is another simple way to preserve them, especially if you want a shelf-stable snack.

You can use a dehydrator or your oven to make dried strawberries that are perfect for snacking, adding to granola, or packing for later.

Learn how to dry strawberries at home for a healthy, long-lasting snack.

Strawberry Recipes to Use Them Up Fast

If you’d rather use your strawberries right away, here are some easy ideas:

Desserts

Strawberry shortcake
Strawberry pie
Chocolate-covered strawberries

Breakfast

Strawberry pancakes
Yogurt parfaits
Oatmeal with fresh strawberries

Drinks

Strawberry lemonade
Smoothies
Milkshakes

Creative Ways to Use Strawberries

Salads

Add sliced strawberries to green salads with goat cheese and balsamic dressing.

Snacks

Dip strawberries in yogurt or nut butter
Add to granola or trail mix

If you’re working through a flat of strawberries, save this post so you have plenty of ideas ready when you need them.

And don’t forget to follow my canning and preserving board on Pinterest for more ideas.