Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling Recipe

Disclosure: This homemade Strawberry Pie Filling recipe post is sponsored by Florida Strawberry in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

One of my favorite ways to preserve fresh Florida Strawberries is by canning them. Today I am sharing a recipe for homemade Strawberry Pie Filling.

This Strawberry Pie Filling recipe is a very easy way to preserve Florida strawberries and stretch the winter fresh Florida strawberry season through out the year.

When is Florida Strawberry Season?

Florida strawberry season runs from December through April. That means you only have a short time left to buy sweet fresh Florida Strawberries.

This seasons fresh strawberries have been some of the sweetest Florida strawberries ever.

It is very easy to preserve fresh strawberries so you can enjoy them long after the Florida fresh strawberry season ends.

You can find fresh Florida strawberries at most retail stores. Pick up a few quarts of Florida strawberries the next time you are grocery shopping. Fresh Florida Strawberries are on sale everywhere along the east coast.

I like to head to the local farmers market where I can buy Florida strawberries by a half or whole flat so I can preserve them so I can enjoy Florida strawberries all year long.

Getting ready to can homemade Strawberry Pie Filling

Before beginning the Strawberry Pie Filling recipe prepare your canning jars and canning lids by washing in hot soapy water.

Heat the jars by placing them in a large pot of water and bringing them to a boil. Turn the heat off to keep the jars warm before filling with the homemade strawberry pie filling.

Get your hot water bath canning pot ready by filling with enough water that will cover the canning jars by at least one inch while processing them. Start heating the hot water bath canning pot of water before beginning this recipe.

Alternately you could also use the same pot you heated the jars in if it is big enough and you have the pot fitted with a canning rack.

Following Safe Canning Procedures

It is important to always follow the current safe canning procedures when canning any pie filling, jam or jelly recipe.

If you are new to canning it is important you learn the current safe canning procedures. A good place to learn about canning safety is your local extension office.

Ways to use Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling

Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling can be used in many other ways besides as a pie filling.

Cheesecake Topping
Strawberry Shortcake
Ice Cream Topping
Strawberry Cake or Strawberry cupcake filling
Baked Strawberry Pies
No-bake Strawberry Pies

Easy Strawberry Shortcakes

Easy Strawberry Shortcakes are one of our favorite strawberry desserts. All you need is a jar of homemade strawberry pie filling, shortcake shells (that you will always find right next to the Florida strawberries in the grocery store) and whipped cream.

How To Make Strawberry Shortcakes with Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling

Place a shortcake shell on a plate.
Fill the shortcake shell well with about a tablespoon of homemade strawberry pie filling.
Top the strawberry pie filling with whipped cream.
Drizzle strawberry pie filling over the whipped cream and serve.

Sunday Supper Preserving Florida Strawberry Recipes

Join along with the bloggers from Sunday Supper who are all sharing their favorite ways to preserve and use fresh Florida Strawberries as the 2017-2018 Florida winter strawberry season winds down.

How to Preserve Strawberries

Canning

Chocolate Strawberry Cream Whoopie Pies by Soulfully Made
Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling by Flour On My Face
Strawberry Kiwi Crumb Bars by Pies and Plots
Strawberry Mint Shrub Drink by My Life Cookbook
Strawberry-Banana Jam French Toast with Strawberry Butter by Authentically Candace

Dehydrating

Make-Ahead Quick Oatmeal with Dehydrated Strawberries by Simple and Savory
Strawberry Basil Chocolate Discs by Desserts Required
Strawberry Cacao Crunch by Wholistic Woman
Strawberry Coconut Granola using Dehydrated Strawberries by My Sweet Savings
Strawberry Marshmallows using Dehydrated Strawberries by Recipes Food and Cooking

Freezing

Strawberry Banana Acai Bowls by Family Foodie
Strawberry Chutney Baked Brie by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Strawberry Lemonade Blondies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Strawberry, Thyme, and Goat Cheese Hand Pies by Casa de Crews

Pickling

Cod Tacos with Pickled Strawberry Slaw by Caroline’s Cooking
Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini with Vanilla Pickled Strawberries by Books n’ Cooks
Pickled Strawberry Cocktail by Sunday Supper Movement
Quick Pickled Strawberry Salad by Helpful Homemade
Strawberry Fizz Cocktail by Hardly A Goddess
Yogurt Parfait with Pickled Strawberries by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures

The Sunday Supper Movement is committed to bringing our readers delicious recipes that encourage them to gather and eat together around the family table. Search for your favorite ingredients on our Sunday Supper website. Also check out the Sunday Supper Pinterest boards for plenty more ideas and inspiration.

How to make Canned Strawberry Pie Filling

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups fresh Florida Strawberries
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon ClearJel (cook type-not instant type starch)
3/4 sugar
1 cup cold water or strawberry juice (see directions on how to make strawberry juice below)
3 1/2 teaspoons bottled lemon juice

Directions

Place the strawberries in a large colander and rinse under cold running water.
Hull the strawberries and cut the larger strawberries in half as you place the strawberries in large measuring cup or bowl.
Blanch the sliced strawberries by plunging them into a large pot of boiling water, drain and place the strawberries in a covered bowl to keep warm.
Mix the ClearJel starch with the sugar in a large heavy bottomed pot.
Add the water or strawberry juice to the pot and whisk until all lumps are gone. Heat on medium high until the mixture starts to thicken and begins to bubble. (Will be very thick)
Once bubbling add the 3 and 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice, stirring constantly and remove from the heat.
Fold the blanched strawberries into the hot liquid and fold gently to combine.
Add a drop of bright red gel food coloring, if desired.
Using a wide mouth funnel fill the jars leaving a 1 inch head space. Remove the bubbles from the jar using a canning bubble remover or a wooden chopstick. Check the head space after removing the bubbles and add more pie filling if needed.
Wipe the rim of the jar with a damp paper towel, place a flat lid on the jar and screw on a band just until finger tight. Place the filled jar in the water bath canner as you fill other jars.
Once all jars are filled process in a hot water bath canner for 30 minutes.
Turn the hot water bath canner off or remove the canning pot from the heat. Allow to cool or 10 minutes. Remove the processed jars from canner, place on a towel on the counter and allow to cool over night.
Makes 1 quart of strawberry pie filling.

How To Make Homemade Strawberry Juice

Ingredients

3 cups sliced strawberries
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

Wash and slice the strawberries. Sprinkle with sugar and allow the strawberries to soften and the sweetened strawberry juice to accumulate for at least an hour. Over night is best.
Pour the macerated strawberries into a blender and blend until smooth. Strain strawberry juice to remove most of the seeds.
Use one cup of fresh strawberry juice for this recipe.
Store remaining strawberry juice in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or use it to make homemade Strawberry Lemonade or Strawberry Iced Tea.