17 Strawberry Recipes To Enjoy Delectably Sweet In-Season Berries
It's that time of year when we get a few magical weeks of June-bearing strawberries from Hedlin Family Farms in La Conner. These strawberries are truly magnificent and are meant to be enjoyed or processed ASAP to capture their incredibly sweet, delectable flavor.
How will you enjoy local strawberries this year? Here are some of our favorite recipes that you should try out before the berry season is over.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Spinach and Strawberry Salad with Goat Cheese
One of the best ways to enjoy fresh strawberries is to eat them as-is, and simply use them as a sweet, flavorful topping.
This spinach salad pairs salty goat cheese with sweet strawberries for a wonderful flavor combination.
Ingredients
4 cups strawberries, reserve 2, slice remaining
1 small shallot, peeled
2 tbsp. strawberry jam
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
4 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
4 oz. spinach, pre-washed
2 medium scallions, slivered
4 oz. chèvre cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Directions
In a food processor or blender, process 2 strawberries with the shallot until well minced. Add the jam and vinegar and process to mix, then drizzle in the olive oil gradually with the machine running. Mix in the salt. Transfer to a cruet or cup.
Combine the spinach, berries, and scallion in a serving bowl and top with chèvre.
Drizzle with the dressing and top with almonds. Serve immediately.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Peach and Strawberry Bruschetta
Serve these as a simple appetizer for a backyard BBQ or transform them into some fancy toast by serving them on a thick slice of Breadfarm bread.
Ingredients
2 fresh peaches
1/2 pint fresh strawberries
1 tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. smoked sea salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp. sherry vinegar
2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
6 oz. chevre
1 whole-wheat baguette, sliced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
Peel the peaches by bringing a pot of water to boil. Cut a small “X” into the pointed end of each peach, and submerge in boiling water for approximately 30 seconds. Remove the peaches from the boiling water with a strainer or tongs, and drop into a bowl of ice water. The skin will slip off, or at least, be fairly easy to peel. Halve, pit and dice the peaches and stem and dice the strawberries.
Stir in the honey, sea salt, chives, thyme, sherry vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil; set aside. Brush the baguette slices lightly with the rest of the olive oil, and place in a single layer on a baking sheet in the oven to toast for 15 or 20 minutes, turning once halfway through. Spread the warm baguette slices with chevre and top with the fruit mixture.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Fresh Strawberry Cake
Fresh, easy, and delicious? This strawberry cake checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter, plus ½ teaspoon for greasing pan, softened
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt
3/4 lb. strawberries, hulled and halved vertically
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Use 1/2 teaspoon of the butter to grease a 9-inch-deep pie pan and reserve.
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and whisk to mix.
In a stand mixer with the batter paddle, or a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy, and then beat in sugar. Beat for about 2 minutes, until fluffy and light. Beat in the egg and vanilla, scraping down and mixing again to make a creamy mixture.
Alternate beating in half the yogurt, half the flour mixture, then half the yogurt and half the flour mixture, just until mixed.
Spread the batter in the prepared pie pan. Arrange the strawberry halves on top, placing them lightly, starting wide-side out along the rim, then filling in concentric circles to cover the batter completely. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
Bake for 50-55 minutes, until the top is golden and crackly, and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with no wet batter.
Cool on a rack for 5 minutes before slicing. Keeps, tightly wrapped, for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Chocolate Strawberry Fool
If you have strawberries, chocolate, sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream, you have an easy and elegant dessert just waiting to be made!
Ingredients
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, very cold
Directions
Place 1 cup of strawberries in a small bowl and add the sugar and vanilla extract. Mash the strawberries into small pieces using a fork. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Pour the cold whipping cream into a cold, medium-sized bowl. Using a beater, whip the cream until it holds stiff peaks. Fold the mashed strawberries and 3/4 of the chocolate into the whipped cream.
Using a tablespoon, fill a wide-mouth glass (such as a martini glass or tumbler) 1/3 full with the whipped cream, then top with a layer of sliced strawberries. Repeat with more whipped cream and another layer of strawberries. Top with remaining whipped cream and garnish with chocolate shavings.
Recipe and photo adapted from Co+op
Strawberry Elderflower Tiramisu
Simple, elegant, and delicious, this tiramisu is a great way to enjoy fresh, local strawberries while they're at the peak of their season.
Fresh mascarpone cheese is brought to room temperature before being beat with sugar and vanilla. Whipped cream or yogurt is folded into the mascarpone before being layered with strawberries, ladyfingers, and a drizzle of elderflower syrup.
This elegant dessert is best served in stemless wine glasses and serves as a light, but decadent, summer dessert.
Recipe and photo adapted from Edible Seattle
Double Strawberry Pretzel Pie
If you love desserts that are a balance between sweet and salty, this is the strawberry pie for you.
And though this recipe looks incredibly fancy and complicated, it's actually super easy to put together.
The addition of fresh, local strawberries will take this pie to the next level.
Recipe and photo adapted from Half Baked Harvest
Strawberry and Watercress Salad
Fresh, local strawberries aren't just for delectable desserts, though.
They are the perfect sweet touch that elevates the overall experience of eating salad.
In this recipe from Bon Appetit, sweet strawberries are paired with rhubarb, watercress, basil, cilantro, and scallions before being tossed with a simple homemade vinaigrette.
If you can’t find watercress, any leafy green would make for a good substitute.
Recipe and photo adapted from Bon Appetit
Minted Orange and Strawberry Coolers
If you have a few strawberries that you feel willing to part with for the sake of a refreshing drink, check out this cooler from Half Baked Harvest.
Strawberries, mint, orange juice, lemon, and fresh rose petals comes together to create a floral, citrusy cooler that’s extra refreshing on a hot day.
Keep it non-alcoholic or toss in your favorite vodka or rum.
Recipe and photo adapted from Half Baked Harvest
Strawberry Basil Farro Salad
Here's a perfect summer salad to serve alongside grilled chicken, steak, or even a burger.
Chewy farro, sweet strawberries, and a dash of herby basil make this a well-rounded salad that's full of fiber and protein.
Don’t forget to whip up the creamy dressing for this salad! The shallot adds a savory flavor that contrasts the strawberries perfectly.
Recipe and photo adapted from Bob's Red Mill
Strawberry Tabouli
Tabouli, but make it a little sweet and a little crunchy.
Cooked and cooled quinoa is paired with strawberries, diced cucumber, red onion, mint, parsley, and a homemade dressing to create a flavorful, and healthy tabouli-style salad.
Serve this summery tabouli alongside a variety of grilled meats, including chicken, salmon, and beef. Or, go the veggie route with a side of tofu.
Recipe and photo adapted from Feasting at Home
Strawberry Chamomile Olive Oil Cake with Honeyed Ricotta
Olive oil cake is light, airy, and perfectly sweet.
Fresh strawberries piled on top is the perfect topping for a dessert that's so simple and elegant.
And don’t forget the honeyed ricotta! It adds a frosting-Esque element without all the sugar. Delish!
Recipe and photo adapted from Half Baked Harvest
Gluten-Free Strawberry Pistachio Brownies
Chocolate, crunchy pistachios, and perfectly ripened sweet strawberries come together in this gluten-free brownie recipe that the whole family can enjoy.
A variety of classic brownie ingredients are paired with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 baking flour (we have it in Bulk!) to create a gluten-free brownie that you wouldn’t even know is gluten-free.
Pistachios add a delightful nutty crunch while strawberries add a sweetness that contrasts all the chocolate exceptionally well.
Recipe and photo adapted from Bob's Red Mill
Spring Frisée Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
In this salad from Forks Over Knives, frisée and/or mixed greens are paired with wheat berries, fennel, snap peas, red onion, and mint before being drizzled with a homemade strawberry vinagrette.
A little bit of purred fresh strawberries go a long way in vinaigrette, and it can add a touch of sweetness to balance out bitter greens or strong flavors like onion and vinegar.
This light spring salad is totally vegan, and the addition of some grilled tofu would add a little more protein.
Recipe and photo adapted from Forks Over Knives
Matcha Dipped Strawberries
Earthy matcha and sweet strawberries are truly a match made in culinary heaven! Here's a simple recipe that would make for a sweet pick-me-up snack or a thoughtful gift.
White chocolate, coconut oil, matcha, and salt are melted in a double-boiler set up and stirred until melted. Simply dip your strawberries in the chocolate matcha and top them off with sesame seeds. Let them cool and enjoy!
Sesame seeds aren't required, but they definitely up the presentation level.
Recipe and photo adapted from Bon Appetit
Strawberry & Brie Bites
Here's another quick and easy strawberry appetizer that looks (and tastes) super fancy.
You only need 4 ingredients, and local strawberries are definitely the star of the show.
Simply hull your strawberries, and then thread them onto a toothpick followed by basil, brie, and balsamic glaze.
A little sweet, a little salty, and a little herby, these summery bites check all the flavor boxes.
Recipe and photo adapted from EatingWell
Almond Crusted Chicken with a Strawberry Balsamic Sauce
Though you may not think of a savory dinner when you imagine how you'll use local strawberries, this balsamic sauce may change your mind.
Almonds are tossed in a food processor till they’re a chunky bread crumb consistency before coating the chicken and baked in the oven. The strawberry sauce is then drizzled on top to create a unique, but balanced, sweet flavor.
The almond crust provides a crunchy bite that contrasts well with moist chicken.
Recipe and photo adapted from Food52
Strawberry Gazpacho
While gazpacho is traditionally a cool tomato soup dish, this fruity twist on it incorporates both strawberries and cucumbers to make it a little lighter, sweeter, and definitely more summery.
All you’ll need for this gazpacho is strawberries, cucumber, tomatoes, red bell pepper, onion, garlic and a handful of spices to pump up the flavor.
Serve this gazpacho at your next summer family gathering for a cool and refreshing addition to hot BBQ foods.