Too Many Strawberries? Not a Thing. Here's 10 Ways to Use Them!

Strawberry fields (and my fridge) forever

Baskets, berries, and a kitchen full of jam: the state I was in after visiting the farm!

Strawberry picking is SO fun - but what do you do with all of the leftovers so that they don't go to waste or spoil too quickly?

We headed out to Basse’s Taste of Country in Colgate, Wisconsin, and let me tell you, this place is no joke when it comes to berries. Rows and rows of the juiciest and ripest strawberries you can imagine! The kind that stain your fingers and make your kitchen smell like summer. Naturally, we got a little carried away and came home with 14 pounds of strawberries. Fourteen. Pounds.

Challenge accepted.

Rather than panic, I turned my kitchen into a berry-based test kitchen and got to work. If you’re wondering what to do with a truly ambitious amount of strawberries, here’s what I made!

🍓 Berry Fruit Salad

Let’s start simple. This was the immediate, no-cook solution for those “oops, I picked too much” vibes. I tossed sliced strawberries with blueberries, a splash of lime juice, and a drizzle of honey. Mint leaves could take it up a notch. Refreshing, light, and perfect for breakfast or a snack on a 90-degree day.

Berry fruit salad recipe

🍓 Strawberry Shortcake

A summer classic, and honestly, it never gets old. I made sweet, flaky biscuits from scratch (don’t be scared, they’re easier than they look, but if you don't want to work from scratch, this Bisquick recipe works too!), whipped some cream, and piled on those sliced strawberries.

Strawberry shortcake recipe

🍓 Strawberry Granola Bars

These were surprisingly addictive. Think chewy oats, a touch of honey, and a thick layer of strawberry compote baked in. Great for grabbing on the go, and they freeze really well!

Strawberry granola bars recipe

🍓 Strawberry Jam

Ah, the MVP of the strawberry stash. I made a few small batches of jam, both traditional and a lower-sugar version. Slathered on toast, stirred into yogurt, or sneakily eaten by the spoonful—this is why we berry pick.

Strawberry jam recipe

🍓 Strawberry Margaritas

Yes, I went there. Strawberries + lime + tequila = summer magic. I blended fresh strawberries with a maple or homemade simple syrup and added plenty of ice for a slushy consistency. Add a salt (or sugar) rim and some lime wedges and you’ve got the happiest of hours! (They also make great mocktails)

Strawberry margarita recipe

🍓 Strawberry Compote (for Pancakes)

This was my weekend breakfast hero. I simmered chopped strawberries with a bit of sugar and lemon juice until it thickened into a syrupy, chunky sauce. Spooned generously over pancakes (or waffles, or French toast) it makes your morning feel fancy (think brunch at home!) with very little effort.

Strawberry compote recipe

🍓 Strawberry & Chocolate Crepes

These were for a fun brunch-at-home food board! I made thin crepes, filled them with sliced strawberries and melty chocolate, and dusted them with powdered sugar. A drizzle of strawberry sauce on top didn’t hurt. Fancy enough to impress (my husband), easy enough to repeat.

Strawberry crepes recipe

🍓 Strawberry Basil Water

The hydration glow-up we didn’t know we needed. Just sliced strawberries and a few basil leaves steeped in cold water. It’s subtle, slightly sweet, and incredibly refreshing. Bonus points if you serve it in a mason jar and pretend you’re at a spa.

Strawberry basil water recipe

🍓 Strawberry Mango Popsicles

A frozen lifesaver. I blended strawberries and mango together (no sugar needed if the fruit is ripe), poured the mixture into molds, and froze them overnight. Great for kids, adults, and anyone needing to cool off after weeding the garden or... eating too much strawberry shortcake ;)

Creamy strawberry mango popsicles

🍓 Strawberry Fruit Leathers

These were surprisingly fun to make! Basically, homemade fruit roll-ups. I blended strawberries with a little honey and lemon, spread it thinly on a baking sheet, and slowly dried it in the oven. It took time but the result was a chewy, sweet snack!

Strawberry fruit leather recipe

So yes, we may have picked a little aggressively at Basse’s, but honestly? No regrets (and no waste!). If anything, we might go back for round two. Strawberries don’t stick around forever, and neither does summer.

🍓Have you ever gone berry picking? What’s your favorite thing to make with a ridiculous amount of strawberries? Let me know, and stay tuned for new Gibson Nutrition recipes for all these strawberry-packed creations!