There’s no fruit that epitomizes summer like strawberries. Juicy and perfectly plump, strawberries infuse refreshing sweetness and a bold red hue to any dish. But there are more reasons we love picking them. The heart-shaped super berry can help increase HDL (good) cholesterol, lower blood pressure and fight inflammation. Packed with vitamins, fiber, antioxidants and more, just one berry clocks in 11 percent of your daily recommended vitamin C. (Indeed, eight of them provide more vitamin C than an orange!) That’s why the versatile fruit can be used in everything from salad dressings to lemonade to homemade fruit roll-ups and salsa. So take your pick at these delicious strawberry recipes.
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9 Strawberry Recipes That’ll Make Your Summer Sweeter
1. Strawberry Salad Dressing
It only takes five minutes and four ingredients to prep this mouthwatering dressing. In a blender, mix avocado oil, chopped strawberries, honey, and white wine vinegar. Because avocado oil may be harder to find and is expensive, you can try another neutral-flavored oil, like grape seed or peanut. This sweet and tangy dressing has a creamy and light texture that’s perfect for softening the bitter taste in leafy greens.
Recipe: Tania Sheff / Cooktoria
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2. 2-Ingredient Strawberry Sorbet
Your vegan and dairy-free friends will absolutely love this sweet sorbet recipe. The perfect ending for a hot-weather meal, this recipe can be made in advance so it’s chilled nicely before serving. Chill the berries for an hour and combine them with agave nectar in a food processor. Blast until the texture is smooth and creamy. You can also freeze the mixture in paleta molds for a popsicle that you can enjoy in a glass of sparkling white wine or Prosecco. Bottoms up!
Recipe: Gin / Eat Healthy Eat Happy
3. Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Good morning indeed! Wake up to these 100-calorie fruit bars for a major upgrade from your ho-hum breakfast routine. The old-fashioned rolled oats and white whole-wheat flour in this recipe will give you lasting power. One batch yields 16 bars that can be eaten at room temperature or heated up and eaten with a dollop of protein-rich Greek yogurt.
Recipe: Erin Clarke / Well Plated
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4. Oven-Dried Strawberries
When you’ve got a surplus of strawberries after a day of picking, you’ll want to make this recipe. These dried strawberries are a nutritionist-approved snack for a road trip or plane ride. Simply chop the berries in half and lay them on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Bake the berries in the oven at 200 degrees for two hours before flipping them over and baking them for another two hours.
Recipe: Lisa Ng / This Beautiful Day
5. Easy Strawberry Lemonade
When temperatures skyrocket, this deliciously refreshing drink will keep you cool and hydrated. Unlike other lemonade recipes, this one cuts back on sugar by using real strawberry fruits instead. Make it extra skinny by trading granulated sugar for a natural sweetener, like honey or Stevia. The result is a peachy pink drink that’s totally Instagram-worthy.
Recipe: Anna / Crunchy Creamy Sweet
6. Homemade Strawberry Fruit Rollups
This homemade fruit leather will give you summer camp nostalgia. Puree the strawberries and transfer them to a saucepan. Stir in fresh lemon juice and a touch of sugar into the mixture, and then cook it for 10 minutes. Spread the strawberry goodness on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake it for three hours at 200 degrees. Once the jam is completely dehydrated, cut it into long strips once cooled. The vitamin C can help fight a seasonal cold and give your immune system an extra boost.
Recipe: Joanne Ozug / Fifteen Spatulas
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7. Strawberry Jalapeno Salsa
Most salsas rely on savory tomatoes and corn, but this chip companion uses sweet and spicy ingredients to delight your taste buds. Use the strawberry, cilantro and jalapeño-based dip as an appetizer with baked pita chips, or use it to add some zing to tacos and chicken dishes. A squeeze of lime infuses an extra punch of flavor.
Recipe: Susan Lightfoot Moran / The View From Great Island
8. Strawberry Banana Popsicles
Craving a post-dinner indulgence? Reach for this three-ingredient fruit bar instead of ice cream, which is loaded with artificial sugars. Potassium-rich bananas in the pops have been found to help ease muscle cramps. When paired with strawberries and pineapple juice, the creamy blend recreates a tropical flavor reminiscent of your last beach vacay.
Recipe: Sally / Sally’s Baking Addiction
9. Strawberry, Spinach and Grilled Chicken Salad
If you’ve got leftover grilled chicken from the night before, consider this super-quick salad for lunch. Strawberry and feta make a salty and sweet combination you’ll immediately fall in love with. Toss the flavorful Dijon vinaigrette in a bed of leafy greens, and you’ve got yourself an easy, delicious meal.
Recipe: Lee Hersh / Life by Daily Burn
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Originally posted in June 2017. Updated in May 2022
All images via Shutterstock
