Best Homemade Frozen Strawberries In Syrup Recipes

Are you looking for a sweet and delicious way to enjoy the summer fruits? Look no further than frozen strawberries in syrup. An easy, versatile treat that everyone can enjoy, this classic dessert is both tasty and nostalgic. From adding it to your favorite pancakes or ice cream sundaes, to having a spoonful all on its own – no matter how you serve these delectable berries, they are guaranteed to add some sweetness to any occasion.

Why This Strawberry Syrup Recipe Works?

This strawberry syrup recipe highlights the beautiful berry flavor with minimal interference. There’s no need for added pectin, gums, or preservatives. It comes together with just four simple ingredients – fresh strawberries, sugar, lemon, and water. Blending the strawberries creates a texture naturally full of berry body without thickeners. A touch of lemon brightens the flavor. Recipe adaptations later on provide options to reduce or eliminate sugar for dietary needs. The result is a luscious, vivid syrup bursting with true strawberry essence. It’s incredibly versatile for drizzling, blending, pouring, and more.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Below are the core ingredients for basic strawberry syrup, plus some possible substitutions:

Strawberries – 2 pounds fresh strawberries are ideal, but frozen could work in a pinch. Opt for unsweetened if using frozen.

Sugar – 1 cup granulated white sugar is standard. Substitute sugar alternatives as desired.

Lemon – The zest and juice of 1 lemon adds acidity. Lime could substitute.

Water – 1/4 cup creates the syrup base. Adjust as needed for consistency.

Optional sweeteners – For variation, could replace up to 1/4 cup sugar with honey, maple syrup, or agave.

Step By Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for fresh homemade frozen strawberries syrup:

Prep

1. Wash and hull 2 pounds of fresh strawberries. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
2. Zest 1 lemon to gather 1 tablespoon zest. Halve lemon and juice to yield 2 tablespoons.
3. Measure out 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup water.

Cook

1. In a blender or food processor, puree strawberries until smooth.
2. Pour blended strawberry puree into a medium saucepan. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar and water.
3. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low.
4. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, until reduced by half and thickened to a syrup consistency.
5. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 30 minutes.

Tips

• Mix up the flavor with optional basil, balsamic, pepper, vanilla, or other add-ins.
• Refrigerate or freeze any leftover fresh strawberries for later use.
• Bottle in decorative reusable containers for gift-giving.

Variations of Strawberry Syrup

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Once you master basic strawberry syrup, get creative with fun flavor variations.

Spiced: Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or allspice. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and adjust to taste.

Citrus: Use both lemon and lime zest and juice for bright flavor. Orange would also pair well.

Vanilla: Scrape vanilla beans or stir in vanilla extract to the simmering syrup for rich depth.

Honey: For a twist, replace up to 1/4 cup sugar with mild honey like wildflower or clover.

Balsamic: Swap 2 tablespoons lemon juice for aged balsamic vinegar. Adds complex sweet-tart notes.

Pepper: Toss in a pinch of black or pink peppercorns. It enhances the berries beautifully.

Herbal: Rosemary, basil, or lavender complement the strawberries when added sparingly.

Fruit: Fold in raspberry, cherry, peach, or other complementary fruits.

How to Store Homemade Strawberry Syrup?

Stored properly, homemade strawberry syrup will keep for:

• Refrigerated: 2 to 3 weeks
• Frozen: 5 to 6 months

Signs of spoilage: Mold, unpleasant odor, very runny texture

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Storage tips:

• Use clean, airtight glass jars or bottles
• Leave at least 1/2 inch headspace for expansion
• Ensure lids seal tightly
• Refrigerate after opening
• Discard if mold appears
• For gifts, sterilize jars and lids to maximize shelf life

Pairing Suggestions

Versatile strawberry syrup livens up a wide array of foods and drinks. Here are some stellar ways to put your homemade syrup to delicious use:

• Beverages: Sweeten tea, lemonade, soda water, milk, smoothies, milkshakes, or cocktails
• Breakfast: Drizzle on waffles, pancakes, French toast, oatmeal, yogurt, granola
• Desserts: Mix into ice cream, pound cake, cheesecake, fruit salad, whipped cream
• Cheese: Complement nice cheeses like ricotta, chevre, mascarpone
• Meats: Brush on chicken, pork, or lamb before grilling or roasting
• Salad dressings: Whisk with oil and vinegar for sweet tangy flavor
• Snacks: Pour over fruit, toast, scones, or peanut butter
• Gifts: Package attractively for friends and family

Using Leftover Strawberry Parts

To reduce food waste, utilize any remaining strawberry tops, hulls, and puree left behind after making your syrup:

• Make strawberry water by steeping hulls in hot water, then chilling
• Simmer tops, hulls, and puree with sugar and strain to make jelly
• Dehydrate leftover bits to make strawberry fruit leather
• Add tops to a smoothie for extra fiber
• Compost the remains to nourish your garden

Homemade Gifts

Homemade strawberry syrup makes a fantastic gift for loved ones. Here are tips for presentation:

• Sterilize glass bottles, jars, or reusable containers
• Make custom labels describing the syrup
• Tie on cute string, raffia, or fabric around lid
• Attach a decorative hang tag with recipe ideas
• Wrap with cellophane and tie with ribbon
• arrange the jars attractively in a basket
• Include serving suggestions on a gift tag
• Add complementary items like preserves, honey, or tea
• Write the recipe on a gift card for DIY fun

Seasonal and Occasional Uses

Strawberry syrup is a versatile component for holidays, events, and times of year:

• Spring – Sweeten lemonade or iced tea; use in shortcake desserts
• Summer – Make strawberry lemonade or salsa; drizzle on ice cream
• Fall – Mix into apple pie filling or chai tea lattes; layer in parfaits
• Winter – Stir into oatmeal or yogurt; blend into hot chocolate
• Valentine’s Day – Incorporate into chocolate fondue or cake pops
• Mother’s Day – Gift a bottle or make French toast breakfast
• Father’s Day – Mix into BBQ sauces or marinades for grilling
• Christmas – Use in candy making, eggnog, or holiday cocktail recipes

Common Issues and Fixes

Take care to avoid these potential pitfalls when preparing your strawberry syrup:

• Too thin/runny: Cook longer to reduce more liquid; add a teaspoon of lemon juice
• Too thick/jelly-like: Add water or juice a spoonful at a time until desired consistency
• Burned taste: Unfortunately overcooked; start small test batch next time
• Moldy: Use sterile jars, refrigerate after opening, and discard if mold appears
• Fermented bubbles: Toss batch; sanitize equipment and start again being mindful of hygiene
• Bland flavor: Add more lemon zest and vanilla next time for “pop”
• Crystalized sugar: Dissolve sugar in water before adding and keep heat low-medium
• Darkened color: More lemon juice helps preserve vibrancy; consume quickly
• Skin or seeds: Strain before bottling; blend berries thoroughly into puree

Health and Dietary Considerations

This strawberry syrup recipe can be adapted to suit a range of dietary needs and restrictions. Here are some options:

Sugar-Free: Replace the granulated sugar with a low-carb sugar substitute like erythritol or stevia in equal measure. The texture may be slightly thinner.

Vegan: Simply avoid the optional honey variation later in the recipe. Everything else is intrinsically vegan.

Nutrition: Strawberries provide vitamin C, manganese, folate, potassium, and antioxidants. The fiber content aids digestion. The natural sugars make it a better choice than added sugar. When enjoyed in moderation, homemade syrup harnesses wholesome ingredients.

Conclusion

Whipping up homemade strawberry syrup is an easy, affordable, and delicious kitchen project. This guide covers the complete process from start to finish, with tips for adaptations, substitutions, storage, troubleshooting, and more. Drizzle your syrup over everything from waffles to cheesecake, blend it into drinks, gift it to friends, and savor the sweet, jammy strawberry flavor. I hope these ideas inspire you to get busy making your own fresh syrup. Let me know how your homemade batches turn out.