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Fermented Strawberries

Fermented strawberries are a gluten-free, vegan, probiotic and low sugar alternative to jam

5 from 3 reviews

Fermented strawberries are an easy way to preserve this delicious spring fruit. See the sections above for information on how to turn your strawberries into a probiotic topping, cordial, or jam. 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pint of strawberries (about 2 cups sliced)
  • 1 to 4 Tbsp of culture (see section above)
  • 1 Tbsp of sugar (optional)
  • 2 Tbsp of water (chlorine-free)

Instructions

  1. Wash and slice the strawberries.
  2. Pack the berries into a pint-sized (500 mL) jar.
  3. Add in the culture. See the section above for five different options. 
  4. Stir in 1 Tbsp of sugar, if using. This is a sweet ferment, so adding extra sugar will cause the strawberries to ferment more quickly, however it isn’t necessary.
  5. Add enough water to cover the strawberries. Use a weight to keep them from floating. If you are using a wide-mouth mason jar, then a jam jar works nicely.
  6. Cover with a cloth or a fermentation-specific lid (see notes). Leave the jar to ferment in a dark location at room temperature for 2 to 4 days. A kitchen cupboard is ideal.
  7. The strawberries are finished when they have softened and the liquid is slightly sparkly. Put an air-tight lid on the jar and store them in the fridge. See the section above for turning the strawberries into a topping, jam, or cordial.
  8. Fermented strawberries taste best if enjoyed within 3 weeks. Otherwise, freeze them in straight-sided mason jars for longterm storage.

Notes

  • Don’t use strawberries that have started to go off. Just use freshly picked berries. You don’t want to accidentally contaminate your ferment with mold.
  • This ferment will bubble, so it’s important to use a lid that will allow gas to escape. Using a mason jar lid that isn’t fully tightened works well. You can also use a fido jar or pickle pipe (affiliate links).

Keywords: probiotic, jam, sauce, cordial, ginger, honey, kombucha, water kefir, storage, preserve, spring, summer, easy, simple, healthy, keto, vegan