How to Hull Strawberries: Tips for Storing Fresh Strawberries

Fresh strawberries are in season from late spring to early summer; however, you can typically find them at the grocery store or farmers’ market year-round. When selecting fresh strawberries, focus on the following characteristics:

1. 1. Check the color. Color is a simple indication of ripeness when it comes to strawberries. Ripe strawberries are bright red, so look for a box with vibrant, even coloring. The red color should cover the entire fruit, from the top of the strawberry to the bottom. When the tips are white or green, the strawberry is unripe and will taste tart. Strawberries with dull, faded coloring or dark brown spots are overripe—use them for baking projects or smoothies.
2. 2. Smell the berries. Fresh, ripe strawberries have a fragrant, sweet smell. If a box of strawberries smells unpleasant, the fruit is likely starting to go bad.
3. 3. Flip the box. Sometimes, the top of the container shows bright red strawberries, while those at the bottom are inedible. When purchasing strawberries at the market, flip the container over to check the bottom layer to ensure the fruit is fresh and mold-free.

Hulling involves removing the green stem, known as the calyx, from the strawberry. Unlike simply slicing the stem off the berry, the hulling method doesn’t waste the top of the berry and preserves more of the fruit. Although you don’t need to hull your strawberries before serving them, this technique lets you use them to make strawberry shortcake, strawberry-rhubarb cheesecake, or a berry-forward fruit salad.

While you can use a strawberry huller—a metal gadget that uses claws to remove the green tops from your strawberries—a sharp knife, such as a small paring knife or chef’s knife, is also a good tool for the job. Here’s how to practice DIY strawberry hulling without special tools:

1. 1. Wash the berries in a colander. Place your strawberries in a colander, and rinse them under cool water in the sink. Gently pat the strawberries dry with a clean cloth or a paper towel before laying them on a cutting board.
2. 2. Insert the knife to start. The key to hulling is inserting your knife in the right spot. Holding the strawberry with one hand, insert the tip of a paring knife next to the stem cap with the blade facing the center of the strawberry.
3. 3. Turn to remove the top. Guide your knife by turning the strawberry to cut out the leafy top and calyx, leaving as much fruit as possible. It’s essential to turn the strawberry, not your knife, as this motion will remove the stem.
4. 4. Compost or repurpose the tops. The strawberry tops can go in the compost or use them to make strawberry-infused water. Use the freshly hulled strawberries in your favorite strawberry recipes.

Compared to other fruits, strawberries have a short shelf life, lasting two days on the counter. You can store your strawberries in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life. Here’s how:

1. 1. Discard damaged or bruised berries. Before storing strawberries in the refrigerator, open the container and discard any moldy or bruised berries. Compost any moldy berries; use bruised berries to make strawberry jam. Removing the damaged berries will prevent any mold or bacteria from spreading.
2. 2. Store in the original container. The container from the farmers’ market or grocery store offers the best air circulation, preserving the strawberries longer than a sealed glass jar or plastic bag.
3. 3. Refrigerate for up to a week. Place the container of strawberries in the refrigerator and store them for up to seven days, checking the berries daily for softness or mold.

Freeze hulled strawberries to extend their shelf life. Here’s how:

1. 1. Wash: Rinse the fresh strawberries under cool water before drying them with a clean cloth or paper towel.
2. 2. Cut: Using a small, sharp knife, hull or slice the green tops off each strawberry. Freeze your strawberries whole or slice them further to freeze the halves.
3. 3. Store: Place cut strawberries in a plastic container and store them in the freezer for up to twelve months. Add the frozen strawberries directly to smoothies and desserts like strawberry cobbler.

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