How to Freeze Blackberries (2 Ways!)

Freezing blackberries is an easy way to enjoy summer’s fresh berries all year-round! This tutorial will show you how to freeze blackberries using the flash freeze method (unsweetened) and sugar pack method.

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Fresh, ripe blackberries are one of the best parts of summer! But, unlike fall and winter fruits, summer berries don’t have a very long shelf life.

Here are a few reasons you might want to freeze fresh blackberries:

• Oops, bought too many – Freezing blackberries will lengthen their shelf life and minimize food waste.
• Amazing sale prices – During blackberry season you’ll often find great sale prices on fresh blackberries. This is a great time to shop in bulk and stock up for when berry season is over.
• Blackberry picking – Did you get summer-fresh blackberries from the farmers market or blackberry picking excursions? Load up on those fresh off the blackberry bushes and preserve them for later!
• Growing your own – Or maybe you’re lucky enough to have your own blackberry plants and you’ve enjoyed a huge harvest. Don’t worry about trying to eat them all before they spoil. Freeze them for later!

Supplies Needed

For the most delicious frozen blackberries, having the right supplies is key! Here’s what I like to have on hand to help me with the freezing process:

• Colander – For sorting and rinsing the berries.
• Clean Towel or Paper Towels – To let the berries air dry on after washing.
• Large Cookie Sheet or Baking Pan – To flash freeze the berries on. Make sure it has a rim to prevent them from rolling off.
• Freezer-Safe Containers – you can use an airtight container or a plastic freezer bag for storing the frozen berries.
• Permanent Marker or Label Maker – to date and label the contents of your freezer containers so you know what is in the sealed container at a later date.

How to Freeze Blackberries (2 Ways)

Can you freeze blackberries? Definitely! There are two different ways that you can go about freezing blackberries – dry method and sugar pack method.

Option 1: Flash Freezing Method (Recommended)

This works best for unsweetened berries. (You might also have heard this referred to as the baking sheet method, dry method, or dry pack method).

1. Sort the unwashed berries, removing and discarding any that are soft, discolored, moldy, unripe, or overripe berries.
2. Place the remaining blackberries in a colander and wash blackberries under cold tap water. 
3. Lay a clean, soft towel on the counter, place the berries on top of it, and let them air dry completely.
4. Line a large cookie sheet or baking pan with a layer of parchment paper (tip: How to Line Pans with Parchment Paper) and place the dry berries on the lined pan in a single layer- this is important so they don’t stick together and freeze in a solid block.
5. Transfer the prepared tray to your freezer, making sure that it stays level so the blackberries don’t move around.
6. Flash freeze the berries for about 1 hour, until they’re solid.
7. Transfer the frozen blackberries to an airtight container or ziploc bag, then label and date so you remember when you froze the berries.  

Option 2: Sugar Pack Method

1. Prepare the berries by sorting, washing, and drying the same way you would for flash freezing.
2. Add the cleaned blackberries and sugar to a large bowl. Gently stir to combine.
3. Transfer the sugar and blackberry mixture to a freezer safe container.
4. Make sure to leave 1 inch of headspace to allow for expansion. Seal with a lid.
5. Label the container with the date, contents, and amount. Then, transfer to the freezer and freeze.

The above is simply a quick summary of this tutorial. Check out the full instructions in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the details.

Tips and Tricks

• After washing the blackberries, make sure they are completely dry before freezing them, excess moisture can cause them to develop freezer burn more quickly.
• I recommend using a container or storage bag that is labeled safe for freezer use. Frozen blackberries can easily develop freezer burn if frozen in thinner plastic bags or containers unsuitable for freezer storage. 
• Remove excess air before freezing. Though you can use containers, I personally prefer freezer bags or vacuum seal bags because it is easier to remove the air.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about how to make this recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

When Are Blackberries in Season? 

You’ll usually find in season blackberries in your grocery store, farmer’s markets, or road side produce stands starting in June through early October, though this can vary depending on what part of the country you live in.

Katie’s Tip: To learn more about seasonal fruits and veggies, check out my seasonal produce guides. They will tell you everything you need to know about what produce is in for each season, how to cook with each season’s ingredients, and give you plenty of seasonal recipes to try.

How Long Can I Keep Blackberries in the Freezer? 

Freezing is a great way to extend the life of your blackberries! When prepared and packaged properly, you’ll get a good 12-18 months out of a stash of frozen blackberries.

Do Frozen Blackberries Go Bad?

Blackberries don’t really spoil in the freezer, so to speak, though they will become less fresh over time and can develop freezer burn.

However, if you notice any mold, weird discolorations, excessive freezer burn, or off smells you’ll want to throw them out to be on the save side.

Common Problems When Using Frozen Blackberries (with Solutions!)

Frozen blackberries are usually a pretty easy substitute for their fresh counterparts. However, there are a couple of troubleshooting tips to be aware of:

• Recipe turned out watery — Frozen blackberries can release more liquid than fresh fruit once they’re cooked. For best results, combine the frozen blackberries with a bit of all-purpose flour before adding them to batters. For sauces or fruit fillings, cornstarch works well to help with thickening.
• Blackberries sank to the bottom of my baked goods — Toss frozen blackberries a tablespoon or two of all-purpose flour first before adding them to batters. This prevents frozen fruit from sinking.
• Berries bled into the batter — To prevent frozen berries from bleeding into batters, rinse and dry them. Then, toss with flour before mixing into the batter. 

Try this Blackberry Freezing Tutorial At Home!

Next time you’re looking for the best way to preserve late summer blackberries, follow these simple methods!

Did you think this step by step guide made breezing your own berries easy? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see photos of what you make with your delicious blackberries!

More Berry Freezing Tutorials:

• How to Freeze Raspberries
• How to Freeze Strawberries
• How to Freeze Blueberries
• How to Freeze Cranberries

Who doesn’t love a good kitchen tip? Check out the entire Kitchen Tips and Tricks archive for lots of great ideas!