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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling (Using Frozen Strawberries)

    Published: Jul 22, 2022 · Modified: Apr 27, 2023 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

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    Pinterest pin that says "strawberry pie using frozen strawberries" and has an overhead image of strawberry pie.

    Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling is easy to make using frozen strawberries! This allows you to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer all year round! Frozen berries and a few simple ingredients are all that you need to make this delicious dessert that can be enjoyed as a simple strawberry pie or as a topping on ice cream and cheesecakes!

    Pie with a slice missing and a slice of pie on a plate with strawberries scattered around.
    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • How to Thicken Strawberry Filling
    • Key Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Ways to Use Pie Filling
    • Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Recommended Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    Peak Strawberry Flavor Any Time: Commercial strawberries are usually frozen at their peak in flavor and freshness! And if you have lots of fresh strawberries in your garden you can freeze them right after harvesting, then enjoy fruit pies even after the strawberry season has passed.

    If you have ripe strawberries that you need to freeze, follow these simple steps!

    No Jello - This strawberry filling uses pantry ingredients and frozen strawberries, so you don't need any Jell-O!

    No Thawing Required - Just throw your frozen strawberries right into the pan. There is no need to thaw them!

    If you love easy fruit pies then you should also try this no-bake cherry cream cheese pie or lemon blender pie!

    How to Thicken Strawberry Filling

    Cornstarch: This recipe uses cornstarch to thicken the pie filling because it is a staple ingredient that is easy to find. Juices are released from the sweet strawberries as they cook on the stovetop and those juices mix with the cornstarch and thicken into a filling. Cook the filling until it has thickened to your liking.

    Tapioca: If you have quick-cooking tapioca on hand then you can use that instead of cornstarch. It is an equal substitution. When using tapioca, I recommend cooking the sugar, strawberries, and lemon juice on the stovetop for 5-10 minutes and then stirring in the tapioca. Allow the filling to set for at least 15 minutes before pouring it into your pie shell.

    Flour: I do not recommend using flour as a thickening agent in this recipe. Because strawberries are so juicy they need a more powerful thickener and flour could make your filling pasty.

    Strawberry pie filling thickened and in a glass bowl.

    Key Ingredients

    Overhead labeled ingredients for filling: Frozen strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and vanilla.

    Strawberries: You can use store-bought frozen strawberries or strawberries from your freezer. I quartered my strawberries but sliced and whole work just as well. Use fruit that has been frozen at its peak and save the overripe strawberries for use in smoothies and muffins, where there are additional ingredients to add flavor.

    Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the pie. For a little bit of a different flavor you can use half white sugar and have light brown sugar.

    Cornstarch: Make sure to check the expiration date on your cornstarch, as expired cornstarch will not thicken properly. You can also use an equal amount of quick-cooking tapioca instead of cornstarch.

    Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a touch of acidity, which helps round out the flavors of this filling. Orange juice or lime juice could also be used.

    Vanilla Extract: This gives a nice depth of flavor to the recipe.

    Pie Crust: You can pick up a crust at the grocery store or make your own homemade pie crust. This all-butter pie dough is my favorite flaky pie crust recipe!

    Instructions

    Step One: Mix Dry Ingredients

    • Stir a cup of sugar with the cornstarch. This is a very important step that helps prevent the cornstarch from clumping.
    Sugar and cornstarch in a bowl with a whisk. Vanilla extract and strawberries in bowls at top.

    Step Two: Cook Filling

    • Add the strawberries to a large saucepan or stock pot. Pour the lemon juice, vanilla extract, and sugar mixture over the top.
    • Cook on low for 3 minutes to soften the fruit and create some strawberry juice. These juices will help keep the strawberries from burning when you increase the temperature.
    • Then turn up to medium heat and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
    Strawberries ina  large pan coated with sugar and cornstarh mixture.

    Step Three: Cool

    • Allow the filling to cool for about an hour.
    • Once the filling has cooled, you can pour it into a pre-made crust and refrigerate until ready to serve. If you want a no-bake strawberry pie then you can pour the cooled filling into a store-bought graham cracker crust.
    • Top with whipped cream before serving.
    • You can also transfer it to jars if you plan to use this as a topping.
    The cooked filling in a large pan.

    Ways to Use Pie Filling

    This recipe is not just for pies! Here are some other ways to use it:

    • Ice cream Topping
    • On Cheesecake
    • Strawberry Shortcake
    • Stir into yogurt
    • Add into overnight oats

    Variations

    You can follow these same instructions for making a strawberry rhubarb pie. Just replace 2 cups of strawberries with diced rhubarb. You could also add blueberries, raspberries, or cherries.

    Recipe FAQs

    How do I store leftover strawberry pie?

    Cover leftover pie with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Can I make pie filling using fresh berries?

    Yes, for a fresh strawberry pie simply mix all of the ingredients except for the strawberries with 1 cup of boiling water. Add ¼ cup of chopped strawberries and simmer until the mixture has thickened. Then fold in the fresh fruit and cool the mixture before transferring it into a baked pie shell.

    Do I need to pre-bake my cust?

    Yes, the filling is cooked on the stovetop instead of the oven, so you do need to use a fully baked crust.

    Why isn't my filling thick?

    Make sure that your cornstarch is not expired, as expired cornstarch will not thicken properly. If you are using fresh cornstarch and it still seems to be too liquidy then you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and add it to the pan. If the mixture ends up too thick then add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.

    Overhead of an uncut strawberry pie made with frozen strawberries and topped with dollops of whipped cream.

    Recommended Recipes

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      Cherry Rhubarb Pie
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    • Unbaked pie crust in a pie plate with edges crimped and pieces of dough scattered around.
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    Let me know how you like this recipe by leaving a review! And follow along on Instagram @stateofdinner for behind-the-scenes and to be among the first to know when new recipes post!

    Recipe

    Pie with a slice missin strawberries scattered around.

    Strawberry Pie Filling

    Recipe by: Erin
    Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling is easy to make using frozen strawberries (and no Jell-O)! This allows you to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer all year round!
    5 from 42 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 108 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
    • ½ cup cornstarch (60 grams)
    • 6 cups frozen strawberries (2 pounds)
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, whisk the sugar and cornstarch together.
    • Place the frozen strawberries, sugar and cornstarch mixture, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a large saucepan. Cook on medium-low heat for 3 minutes.
    • Increase to medium heat and cook until the mixture has thickened, about 15-20 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
    • Remove from heat and cool for 1 hour. Pour into a fully baked pie shell and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    Nutrition calculations are only for the pie filling and do not include the pie crust or whipped cream topping.
    Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    If using fresh strawberries (not frozen) mix all of the ingredients except for the strawberries with 1 cup of boiling water. Stir in ¼ cup of chopped strawberries and simmer until the mixture has thickened. Then fold in the fresh fruit and transfer into a baked pie shell.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Les

      July 04, 2023 at 1:18 pm

      I made this recipe for 4th of July and it never set! Was VERY soupy. I followed the stove top directions very closely!

      Reply
      • Erin

        July 04, 2023 at 2:58 pm

        I'm sorry this didn't work out for you. Make sure that your cornstarch is not expired, as expired cornstarch will not thicken properly. If you are using fresh cornstarch and it still seems to be too liquidy then you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water, stir it into the filling and continue cooking for several minutes until it thickens.

        Reply
    2. Dana

      June 13, 2023 at 5:03 pm

      Could I use this recipe as a substitute for 1 can of store-bought strawberry pie filling? I am making a strawberry trifle with angel food cake. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Erin

        June 13, 2023 at 8:13 pm

        Yes, this should work great in place of a can of pie filling!

        Reply
    3. Kristen

      April 15, 2023 at 1:47 pm

      Can u can it!

      Reply
      • Erin

        April 15, 2023 at 5:32 pm

        I don't know why not! But I am not a canning expert, so I recommend you follow an expert's guide for the steps on how to can safely.

        Reply
    4. Rachel

      April 07, 2023 at 11:42 am

      Can this pie filling be frozen?

      Reply
      • Erin

        April 09, 2023 at 11:31 am

        Yes, strawberry pie filling is fine to freeze. Wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

        Reply
      • Laura

        June 17, 2023 at 6:07 am

        I don’t believe cornstarch thickening is stable to freezing so would do more research to avoid a runny mess.

        Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Erin: Wife, mom, lover of great food, and former food safety administrator. I am passionate about cooking mostly from scratch recipes that bring comfort, without spending all day in the kitchen. Most recipes on this site can be made in under 30 minutes! This approach to cooking allows me to provide delicious meals for my family while freeing up time to spend with those I love.

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