Learn How to Hull Strawberries 3 Simple Ways
Updated: May 15, 2022
We've got berries on the brain! Before you start baking, though, learn how to hull strawberries quickly and efficiently.
When early summer comes, we can’t wait to get our hands on all the fresh strawberries we can find. These farm-fresh fruits are perfect for making summertime classics like shortcakes, pie and fresas con crema. The only catch: Hulling each and every one of these berries. Like pitting cherries, this can be time-consuming but learning how to hull strawberries efficiently makes crafting these treats easy.
To hull strawberries for your next treat, you can try one of these three methods.
Method 1: Slice the Stem with a Knife
The fastest way to hull strawberries is with your go-to paring knife. All you have to do is lay your strawberries on the cutting board and slice off the top of the berry. That’s it!
This method is quick, so it works well for when you have to prep a lot of berries, like for homemade jam or multiple pies. However, this technique does waste a bit of the fruit.
Method 2: Hull Strawberries with a Straw
You can also hull strawberries easily at home with a regular drinking straw. Just push the straw up through the bottom of the berry and through the top. The leaves and hull will come pop right off!
Disposable plastic or thin metal straws work best here. Once you get the hang of this technique, you’ll find it goes fairly quickly so you can get to eating that strawberry pretzel pie sooner than later.
Method 3: Use a Special Strawberry Huller
No surprise here: There is a special tool made just for hulling strawberries. This affordable strawberry huller uses metal claws to pull away the hull and stem of berries all in one motion. It’s a cinch to use and is worth the small investment if you’re a major strawberry fan.
Plus, this method wastes the least fruit. We know you don’t want to let an ounce of these seasonal favorites go to waste!
A Few More Strawberry Tips
- Store strawberries wisely: Berries of all kinds have a pretty short shelf life. The best way to keep them fresh is to stash them in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Better yet—try one of these berry keepers. They’ll save you money in the long run. Make sure to avoid these other common produce pitfalls too!
- Wash before you hull: Rinsing a cut berry can flood the fruit, leaving it with a soggy, mealy texture. No good!
- Have the kids help:Â Hulling berries with a straw is a great chore to give kids of all ages: no knives and little mess. Just make sure they aren’t eating so many that you don’t have enough left to make your favorite recipes.
Try These Fresh Strawberry Recipes
Strawberry TartA simple tart is one of the best recipes with fresh strawberries I know. What makes it special: There's a crunchy chocolate layer tucked next to the crust. Try making individual tartlets instead of one big dessert. —Dawn Tringali, Hamilton Square, New Jersey
Frozen Strawberry DaiquirisBlend this refreshing frozen strawberry daiquiri to serve on a hot summer day. It's one of the best recipes with fresh strawberries served in a glass! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Croissant Breakfast CasseroleTurning croissants and marmalade into a classic overnight croissant breakfast casserole makes a wonderful treat for family and guests around the breakfast table. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Strawberry CheesecakeThe creamy texture and lovely look of this strawberry cheesecake always get compliments. —L.C. Herschap, Luling, Texas
Fresas con CremaThis refreshing fresas con crema recipe is wonderful when berries are in season. Media crema is a rich, unsweetened cream found in the baking aisle or ethnic food section of the grocery store. It's similar to creme fraiche and sour cream, although sour cream is a bit tangier. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chocolate-Dipped StrawberriesA bumper crop of berries turned into a real treat when I dipped them in chocolate! I like to make these chocolate covered strawberries before dinner and put them in the fridge, so they're ready when we're finished eating. My family can't get enough of these chocolate strawberries. —Valerie Gee, Depew, New York
Berry Smoothie BowlI've always loved smoothies but sometimes I want to linger over breakfast instead of sipping it on the go. That's when I make this Jamba-inspired smoothie bowl. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
Strawberry Ladyfinger Icebox CakeThis cake is inventive and yet familiar. Be sure to use a springform pan so you can easily remove it from the cake. If it breaks while you're transferring it to the serving plate, just push the pieces back together, pressing gently. —Stella Ohanian, Porter Ranch, California
Berried Treasure Angel Food CakeMy husband grills anything and everything—even dessert! With his gentle nudging, I came up with this simple recipe that takes just a few minutes to prepare, yet always impresses dinner guests. —Anita Archibald, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Strawberry Arugula Salad with FetaThe combination of peppery arugula, sweet strawberries and robust feta cheese may sound unusual, but one bite wins over taste buds.—Carala Horne, Meridian, Mississippi
Strawberry Cheesecake BitesThese treats are a perfect mouthful of strawberry, sweet cream cheese filling and just a drizzle of chocolate. Easy to fill
and fix ahead, they add tempting variety to brunch or party offerings—and make a delicious homemade gift. —Linda Baldt, Croydon, Pennsylvania
Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Ice CreamWhen I got my ice cream maker, a friend shared her dreamy freezy cheesecake recipe. For guests, I scoop this into tart shells. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Easy Fresh Strawberry PieFor my mother's birthday, I made this strawberry pie recipe instead of a cake. Since it was mid-May in Oklahoma, the berries were absolutely perfect. It was a memorable occasion for the whole family. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
Strawberry BreadMy husband and I are strawberry lovers, so each spring we pick about 30 quarts. This strawberry bread recipe makes two delicious loaves. One we eat right away; the other we freeze and pull out when family comes to visit.
Strawberry Rhubarb Dump CakeIt always seems like my rhubarb goes bad in a hurry, so I was looking for a simple way to combine two of my favorite flavors in an incredibly easy dessert. I added extra spices to enhance the flavor of this strawberry-rhubarb dump cake for a sweet treat my whole family loved! —Jessica Bridge, Grand Junction, Colorado
Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb MuffinsA sweet, crispy topping highlights these tender muffins that are filled with two favorite spring foods, rhubarb and strawberries. They're perfect for a brunch or a grab-and-go breakfast. —Audrey Stallsmith, Hadley, Pennsylvania
Rainbow Fruit SaladWhen my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana
Strawberry Tarragon Chicken SaladAfter thinking about creating this salad for some time, one spring I used my homegrown strawberries and fresh tarragon to do a little experimenting. It didn't take me very long to come up with a winner! My husband enjoyed my creation as much as I did, and now we can't wait for strawberry season to come around each year. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Strawberry-Thyme JamI created this recipe using two ingredients that I love: strawberry and thyme. This recipe is ideal slathered on homemade farm biscuits.—Sharon Demers, Dolores, Colorado
Strawberry and Peach Lime Custard BarsAfter I baked, my dad would always find his way to the kitchen and ask if he could try what I made. I enjoyed asking him to taste test different creations, like these bars. He was always ready with a compliment. Other fruits can be arranged over the custard, depending on what's in season. —Carlin Tou, Chandler, Arizona
Mixed Berry PieHere's a delightful way to enjoy summertime fruits. If you're short on one of the berries, just make up the amount with one of the other fruits in the pie. —Elaine Moody, Clever, Missouri
Cheesecake-Stuffed StrawberriesThese luscious cheesecake-stuffed strawberries are the perfect bite-sized dessert. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia
Originally Published: May 24, 2021
