This Strawberry Puree recipe is quick, easy, fresh and healthy and it is super versatile too. From baby food to drinks to cheesecake, or for baking muffins, cakes, topping ice cream or a whole bunch of dessert fillings. And all you need is strawberries!
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This strawberry puree couldn't be easier, as all you need is strawberries. No added sugar or additives, which is why it makes it perfect for baby led weaning. Not just for babies though, we use this strawberry puree to put on ice cream or pancakes, and in our baking too. More on its uses below.
If your kids love strawberry jam (jelly) then try this as a healthy alternative. You don't feel like your teeth are covered in sugar after eating it. Just one ingredient and only 16 calories per serving.
It is a great way to use up strawberries before they go bad too, especially if you are growing them this summer.
Looking for more recipes that use strawberries? Try our protein packed Strawberry Chia Pudding easy Greek Yogurt Chia Pudding, impressive Fruit Platter or delicious Croissant French Toast Bake.
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Strawberry Puree Ingredients
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Just one ingredient is needed to make strawberry puree - Strawberries! Try to use the freshest strawberries you can. Strawberry season runs from May to October, depending where you are in the world.
Making this strawberry puree recipe is super simple. You first need to wash the strawberries well and then hull them. Chop into chunks, heat in a pan and then mash. You can put them in a food processor or blender if you want it really smooth. Doesn't get much more simple than that!
How To Make Strawberry Puree
- Step 1: Hull the strawberries.
- Step 2: Cut them into small chunks and then add them to a pan and heat on high for 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the strawberries until they turn a jam (jelly) consistency. Heat for a further 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Transfer to a bowl to cool. It will have some liquid in the bowl, but it will set after it has been left to cool.
How To Hull Strawberries
If you have never hulled strawberries before, don't worry too much as it isn't complicated. Make sure you wash them before hulling, otherwise they will fill with water.
Just take a small sharp knife and around the leafy green "stalk" at the top, use the knife in a circular motion to cut in the strawberry at an angle and lift out the green part and discard. Follow this guide on how to properly hull your strawberries.
Do The Strawberries Have To Be Cooked?
When we want to make a really quick and easy strawberry puree, we don't bother to cook the strawberries, we just blend them raw. However, if we are using the puree in baking, or we want a more intense flavour, then we do heat them first.
Simply put the hulled and washed strawberries in a pan over a low heat for 5 minutes.
Ways To Use Strawberry Puree
This is the best thing about this strawberry puree - it has so many uses. We started making this when we were weaning our first child, but quickly realised that it's not just for kids.
We add it to yogurt or ice cream for a dessert, it goes on pancakes and waffles for breakfast and we even use it in baking to make muffins. It also makes a great decoration for cheesecake.
If you want a more adult use for it, then we have added it to cocktails before. It make a lovely daiquiri - strawberry puree for cocktails is very much a part of our summer.
Try mixing it into our Cream Cheese Fruit Dip for a fruity dip.
Dannii's Top Tips
- You can use frozen strawberries, but make sure they are fully defrosted first.
- You could blend other fruits into this like peach or raspberries.
- You can add honey (not for babies) or maple syrup if you want it sweeter.
- If you don't like the strawberry seeds, then pour it through a fine mesh sieve.
- You can mix some chia seeds into this for a protein boost.
- You can freeze this puree in an ice cube tray and the store the cubes in a freezer bag.
Storage
This strawberry puree will keep in the fridge for around 3-4 days, however you can freeze it too which is what we did when we were using it for weaning.
Pour the puree into ice cube trays and then freeze until solid. Once frozen, you can pop them all out of the tray and keep them together in a freezer bag and get them out a cube at a time to defrost.
Frequently Asked Questions
We mostly make this in the summer months when strawberries are cheap and ripe, but we do like to have it in the winter too. So we use frozen strawberries then (we freeze them in bulk when they are on offer in the summer). Make sure your defrost the strawberries thoroughly first.
We love the simplicity of this puree, and just the strawberry flavour. However, if it isn't sweet enough for you, then you can add some sweetener to it. I would recommend maple syrup or honey. However, when making it for children I wouldn't add any extra sweetener.
This keep this as quick and easy as possible, we didn't sieve the puree after blending it. However, if you want it smoother or the seeds of the strawberries both you, then you can pass it through a fine mesh sieve. Keep the discarded pulp to add to smoothies.
More Kid Friendly Recipes
If you've tried this easy strawberry puree recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Strawberry Puree
Ingredients
- 200 g (1.5 cups) Strawberries
- Maple syrup - (if required)
Instructions
- Hull the strawberries then cut them into small chunks and then add them to a pan and heat on high for 3 minutes.
- Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the strawberries until they turn a jam (jelly) consistency.
- Cook on low for 5 minutes and then transfer to a bowl to cool. It will have some liquid in the bowl, but it will set after it has been left to cool. Strain through a fine mesh sieve if you don't want the seeds.
Recipe Tips
- You can use frozen strawberries, but make sure they are fully defrosted first.
- You could blend other fruits in to this like peach or raspberries.
- You can add honey (not for babies) or maple syrup if you want it sweeter.
- If you don't like the strawberry seeds, then pour it through a fine mesh sieve.
- You can mix some chia seeds into this for a protein boost.
- You can freeze this puree in an ice cube tray and the store the cubes in a freezer bag.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Pam Greer says
We use this for so many things! We love it on top of pancakes instead of syrup and we buy plain yogurt and make our own fruity yogurt!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I really like the versatility of this fruit puree - it would be equally good spooned over frozen yogurt as it would swirled into a bowl of oatmeal.
Suzy says
Strawberry puree is so easy and tasty! I goes so well on lots of this! Love it!
Sue says
My favorite way to use this liquid gold is to layer it on the bottom of little jars and top with my homemade yogurt ~ yum! It's like springtime on a spoon :)
Scarlet says
This fresh strawberry puree sounds delish and looks so pretty on the yogurt too.
Jessica Formicola says
This strawberry puree looks incredible! I can't wait to make it to top my morning yogurt!
Erika says
I love strawberry puree and how versatile it is!
Jen says
It really doesn't get any easier than this! I'm going to make some to pour over pancakes for my kiddos for Valentine's Day. Thanks!
Carol Siri says
I was just saying this afternoon as I was making a peanut butter sandwhich with my freshly homemade peanut butter....I need to find out how to make some really good strawberry jelly to go with this....you read my mind!!! Thank you!! I am definitely giving this a try this week!
Lonne Schreiner says
Looking for raspberry jam or jelly recipe without sugar???
Amy says
Amazing recipe!
Victoria says
I am definitely making this for Sunday breakfast. We always make pancakes and I am always looking for new toppings that are healthy.
Jade says
I just made this - oh my god it is so good. So easy and it really does taste like jelly.
Sally says
I am so glad I found your blog yesterday. So many great recipes.
Kelly says
I can't wait to make this for breakfast tomorrow. Usually when recipes are a healthier alternative, they take a long while to make. I am glad to see this is so quick.