Strawberry Puree (Unsweetened or Sweetened)

Strawberry puree is delicious, super easy, and healthy! Sweeten if desired or leave unsweetened. So many uses - from juice to cocktails, drinks, soup, syrup, reduced strawberry puree, salad dressing, popsicles, juice, and more!

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Recipe Video

You'll ❤️ Unsweetened Strawberry Juice Puree

"So healthy and so simple to make! I crated this recipe for use in my strawberry martini recipe but since I've come up with a bunch of uses for this strawberry puree. "

Easy

With only 2 ingredients (including water) and a couple of simple steps, you will have delicious fresh strawberry puree in minutes!

Healthy

Making your own fruit puree is not only easy - it's healthy! Berries are natural and this recipe is minimally processed. I love knowing what ingredients have gone into your recipe - unlike store-bought purees and juices.

• Strawberries are naturally fat free and high in fiber. They are a significant source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and manganese. Nutritional Benefits of Strawberries
• Strawberry puree is Whole30, paleo, gluten free, dairy free, nut free, vegan, vegetarian, and has no added sugar. You control the sweetness of your puree and the form of sweetener.
• Strawberries are low carb and can be used on a keto diet if used in moderation. This recipe makes 6 ounces of juice and has 17 grams of carbs, 5 grams of dietary fiber, and 12g of net carbs. That equates to 2 net carbs per ounce.

What Is a Puree?

A puree is a smooth homogeneous substance made with either cooked vegetables or fresh or frozen fruit that has been finely ground, blended in a blender, or crushed until they are smooth and well combined.

A puree is a base that can be transformed into a seasoned vegetable puree mash, a sweetened fruit puree, sweetened coulis, or a reduction sauce is created.

This strawberry puree recipe is made with only strawberries and water. Additional sweetener and lemon juice can be added for taste. The sweetened puree can be reduced into a strawberry reduction (coulis).

How To Select The Best Strawberries

The key to the best strawberry puree is buying the freshest fruit possible, so how do you select the best strawberries? Here's how:

• Strawberries are on the EWGs Dirty Dozen List - make sure to buy organic if possible.
• You want colorful, bright and shiny strawberries.
• The berries should be firm.
• Strawberries should be plump. Plump strawberries are juicy strawberries!
• Make sure the green leaves are still attached.
• No rotting or molding berries in the container.
• Any size of strawberry is fine - the size does not matter.

Ways To Use

No sugar added strawberry puree or fresh strawberry juice isn't something you can easily find in a store. It's such a simple thing to make, and once the basic puree is made you can turn it into many healthy recipes! Here are a few ways to use strawberry juice puree:

• Sweeten it with your choice of sweetner such as a honey, sugar, monk fruit, erythritol, swerve, etc.
• Strawberry puree for cocktails adds a freshness that can't compare to store-bought juice. Try our strawbery martini! You will LOVE this cocktail recipe!
• Juice - add a little water if needed and drink it straight with no sweetener added, or add your own favorite sweetner.
• You can also add it to smoothies!
• Strawberry ice cubes - freeze in an ice cube trays and add to lemonade.
• Popcicles - add a little water and sweetner if desired, then freeze in a popcicle molds. You can also add yogurt to make a yogurt popcicle.
• Cold Soup - add the puree to sweetened vanilla yogurt along with some orange juice to adjust consistency.
• Salad Dressing - add a few tablespoons puree to olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and sweetener for a strawberry balsmic dressing.
• Make a sweetened strawberry reduction sauce - instructions are in the FAQs section below.
• Make a strawberry coulis - instructions are in the FAQs section below.
• Syrup - add sweetener or maple syrup to make an amazing syrup for pancakes and waffles.
• Yogurt - add to a vanilla yogurt to give it a fruity flair.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need to make strawberry juice puree:

• Strawberries - fresh ripe strawberries are best, but you could also use thawed frozen strawberries. If using frozen berries, you may need to adjust sweetness (sugar or sugar substitute) and tartness (with lemon juice).
• Water
• Optional Sweetener - use a sweetener of choice. You could use a sugar substitute, regular sugar, honey, or other.
• Optional Lemon Juice - to add tartness if desired.

Equipment

Equipment and tools needed to make this recipe:

• Blender or Food Processor
• Small knife - for removing the strawberry stems and hull.
• Measuring Cup
• Sieve or Fine Mesh Strainer - for separating the solids from the juices
• Medium Sized Mixing Bowl
• Spatula or Spoon - to help push the juices through the sieve, if needed.

Substitutions and Variations

• Sweeten it with your choice of sweetener and lemon juice.
• You don't have to strain the solids from the liquids if you don't want to.
• See ways to use in the 'How To Use' section above.
• Add more water to achieve your desired level of consistency.

Instructions

Here's how to make this Strawberry Puree:

For complete instructions, please see the printable recipe card below.

Prep

Wash strawberries and remove the stem and hull.

Blend

Add the strawberries and water to the blender.

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Puree strawberry juice on high for 15 to 30 seconds, adding a little extra water if needed.

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Strain

Place the sieve over a bowl and pour strawberry puree over a sieve. Let juice drain into the bowl, pressing the juices through with the back of a spoon or a spatula.

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Use

Your strawberry puree is ready to use! Sweeten if desired.

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Top Tips

• The key to the best puree is buying the freshest fruit possible. You want colorful, bright and shiny strawberries. They should be firm with no discoloration and be plump. Plump strawberries are juicy strawberries. Make sure the green leaves are still attached and there are no rotting berries in the container. Size does not matter in a strawberrie.
• You can substitute frozen berries, but thaw the frozen strawberries in a colander so the excess water can drain before using. Weigh 8 ounces of thawed frozen berries, not 8 ounces of frozen berries.

FAQs

How to store leftovers

To store leftovers, transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

How to make strawberry coulis

This coulis is very similar to the puree but uses sweetener and it is thickened to become more of a sauce that can be used in (or on) desserts, or on pancakes, etc. Making a strawberry reduction sauce is easy! Here's how:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound strawberries
• 8 ounces sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add the strawberries, sugar, and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice to a large saucepan. Allow the fruit to sit for 30 minutes.
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to thicken.
3. Puree the mixture in a blender or food processor.
4. Strain the liquids through a sieve or a fine-mesh strainer.
5. Adjust the flavor with sugar and more lemon juice as needed.
6. Store in an air-tight container.

How to make a strawberry reduction sauce

This is very similar to a strawberry coulis and is much like a jelly or jam. You can leave this textured or strain the seeds/solids or leave them. This is great in cakes, cupcakes, over ice cream, pancakes, and waffles!

Yield: 16 ounces

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound strawberries (coarse chopped)
• 8 ounces sugar
• 1 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add the strawberries, sugar, and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice to a large saucepan. Allow the fruit to sit for 30 minutes.
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to thicken.
3. Depending upon the texture you are looking for you can smash the strawberries in the pan as they simmer, or you can puree the mixture in a blender or food processor. You can also choose to strain the solids from the juices if desired.
4. Adjust the flavor with sugar and more lemon juice if needed. Store in an air-tight container and refrigerate. The sauce will continue to thicken as it refrigerates.

Can you make it ahead of time?

Yes, you've got two options. One, you can prepare the puree up to 2 days before using, or you can prepare it and freeze it.

How long will this recipe keep?

Strawberry puree will keep for only a couple of days. However, if you don't plan on using all of it right away it's best to freeze it. See below for how to freeze it.

Can you freeze strawberry puree?

Yes, you can freeze strawberry puree. To freeze puree, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Alternatively (my favorite way), freeze in 1-ounce portions in an ice cube trays for later use. This way the puree is pre-measured - no recipe is too small, there is less waste, AND you can use them as ice cubes! 🙂

📖 The recipe.

More Strawberry Recipes

If you are looking for more recipes using strawberries, check these out:

• Strawberry Martini (Skinny)
• Balsamic Strawberry BBQ Sauce Recipe
• Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe
• Fresh Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad Recipe
• Strawberry Banana Flaxseed Muffins (Flourless Muffins)

Strawberry puree is simple, healthy, and has so many uses! Easy to make with only 2 ingredients and a few simple steps. Make it unsweetened strawberry juice or sweetened. This healthy strawberry juice is Whole30, paleo, gluten free, dairy free, nut free, vegan, vegetarian, and has no added sugar. So many uses - cocktails, drinks, soup, syrup, reduction sauce, salad dressing, popsicles, juice, and so on!