10 Genius Ways to Use Overripe Strawberries

Before you throw away those sad, slightly mushy strawberries, take a read through these ways to use overripe strawberries. All hope is definitely not lost!

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Rhubarb Strawberry Cobbler
Taste of Home

Pie, Crisp & Cobbler

When coated in sugar and baked in a hot oven, even the freshest of strawberries will soften and get a little mushy. This makes overripe strawberries the perfect candidate for comforting strawberry cobbler or flaky strawberry-rhubarb pie.

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Quick and Easy Strawberry Jam
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Jam & Jelly

Let overripe strawberries simmer away on the stovetop and turn them into an insane strawberry jelly to spread on toast and muffins. We especially love the spicy-sweet combo of this Habanero Strawberry Jam.

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Coconut-Milk Strawberry-Banana Pops
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Ice Pops

For a sweet summer treat, puree overripe strawberries, pour them into molds and freeze them into some tasty strawberry popsicles like these Coconut Milk Strawberry-Banana Pops or these Strawberry-Citrus Freezer Pops.

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Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
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Dips & Compotes

Strawberries are great for more than just jams. Dice overripe strawberries with apples, raspberries and apricot preserves for a special strawberry salsa to serve alongside homemade cinnamon-sugar chips.

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Strawberry Mimosas
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Cocktails

Strawberry daiquiris, margaritas, mimosas and more—your options are almost limitless when it comes to making a berry-infused cocktail using overripe strawberries. This Spring Strawberry Sangria, for example, sounds ultra refreshing.

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Mamaw Emily’s Strawberry Cake
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Cakes, Cupcakes & Muffins

Just as overripe bananas are ideal for baking, overripe strawberries can be used to make some divinely delicious baked treats. Make this adorable pink-hued strawberry cake for an upcoming celebration or these Nut-Topped Strawberry-Rhubarb Muffins.

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Strawberry Vinaigrette
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Vinaigrettes & Dressings

Who doesn’t love to put fresh berries in salad? If your strawberries have passed their peak of freshness, don’t despair. You can still use them to make a killer dressing or Strawberry Vinaigrette to coat your bed of greens.

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Creamy Strawberry French Toast Bake
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Breakfast Bakes

While perfectly ripe strawberries may be best for garnishing waffles and pancakes, overripe strawberries can have a place on your brunch menu, too. Add them to some egg-soaked challah or brioche with cream cheese for a special baked french toast.

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Peanutty Strawberry Banana Smoothies
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Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to use up past-prime strawberries. Freeze the berries, then add them to a blender with other fruit, veggies and yogurt for a great breakfast on-the-go, like our PB&J-inspired smoothie.

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Delicious strawberry ice cream for a hot summer day.
TinaFields/Getty Images

Ice Cream & Sorbet

Get out your ice cream maker or order one pronto so you can put those overripe strawberries to work in becoming an out-of-this-world homemade strawberry ice cream that your whole family will love.

Lauren Habermehl
Lauren is a recipe developer and food photographer. At Taste of Home, you’ll find her putting famous celebrity recipes to the test, from Dolly Parton’s stampede soup to Stanley Tucci’s six-ingredient pasta casserole. She’s also known for her FoodTok finds and sharing tips for how to re-create Internet-famous 15-hour potatoes, apple pie cinnamon rolls and chamoy pickles. When she’s not trying out a recipe-gone-viral, she’s developing copycat recipes and new twists on comfort food for her food blog, Frydae.