Fresh Strawberry Pie: An Easy Dessert Recipe that Tastes Like Summer!

Strawberry Pie is a summer dessert that shouldn’t be missed! This fresh strawberry pie recipe is easy, with only a few ingredients and a prepared crust! 

Strawberries are the quintessential summer fruit. They are one of those fruits that taste completely different when purchased in season or picked yourself.

That melt in your mouth sweetness is perfect for an easy Fresh Strawberry Pie!

This strawberry pie recipe uses only a handful of ingredients. I use a purchased prepared crust (I keep them in my freezer at all times) which is a time-saver.

You can certainly substitute your favorite homemade crust recipe too!

Strawberry Pie Recipe – A Summer Must Make Dessert

When I first created this recipe, I had a summer fruit share with a local farm. Meaning, we’d go weekly and pick up an unknown quantity of fresh fruits.

It required that I’d have think quickly about how to use the ripe fruit, especially in the case of fresh strawberries.

When strawberries are fully ripe they need to be used quickly.

Ripe strawberries begin to get soft and over ripe within a day or so.

Making this delicious strawberry pie is a perfect way to use fresh strawberries at their prime. AND to make a dessert everyone will love.

When Are Strawberries in Season?

In the U.S. the main growing locations are Florida and California.

They can product strawberries most of the year. The natural growing season in most areas however is April – June (with mountain regions often being later).

So, summer is the best time to find fresh, naturally ripened strawberries.

What Does ‘Hulled Strawberries’ Mean?

When my husband and I first got together, he would give me a bad time about my lazy strawberry preparation.

I’d use a paring knife to cut off the green top straight across. Usually I’d take a decent portion of the ripe strawberry with it.

This is the WRONG way to prepare a strawberry!

Strawberries should be ‘hulled’ meaning the green leafy top (the calyx) and the core are removed.

The core is usually tasteless and has a firmer consistency.

Once hulled the best of the sweet soft berry can be eaten raw or used for this strawberry pie recipe.

How to Hull Strawberries

To hull strawberries the top and core are removed. The top area directly underneath the steam that’s often white and firm can be done with a paring knife.

Simply cutting out a cone shape underneath the green top will do it (refer to the photo).

Can I confess? I’m lazy and use a strawberry hulling tool. I have an older one that looks like a larger tweezer. The ends are inserted into the top of the strawberry, twisted and they pull the top and core out.

I have my eye on this strawberry huller however that is even easier to use.

For less than $10 it makes hulling strawberries fast and easy.

Chef Notes 

There are multiple ways to make a strawberry pie, especially a fresh one.

Many versions use jello or gelatin to create a firmer filling.

This pie takes a different approach using cornstarch as a thickener.

How to Make Strawberry Pie Filling

This strawberry pie recipe uses a combination of pureed fresh strawberries, granulated sugar and cornstarch to thicken the strawberry pie filling.

This mixture is heated to allow the sugar to dissolve and the cornstarch to thicken the puree.

Additional quartered strawberries are added to the puree.

The filling is spooned into the prepared pie shell to thicken as it chills in the refrigerator.

The pie needs to fully chill to firm up before serving.

The pie slices are also more relaxed when sliced versus pies using gelatin which produces firm slices of filling.

How to Tell is the Strawberry Pie Filling is ‘Thick Enough’?

When the cornstarch mixture is added to the blended strawberries and sugar, the mixture will appear a creamy pink color. It is also opaque.

As the strawberry pie filling cooks it will become glossy and transparent, as well as will be noticeably thicker.

If you scoop some onto a spatula it won’t run off as a liquid would.

Is the pie filling Gluten-Free?

Yep. This strawberry pie filling only has strawberry puree, sugar, cornstarch and water. Any prepared pie crust may be used to ensure the whole pie is gluten-free too.

My Favorite Pie Crust recipe

Butter Pie Crust is my favorite pie crust recipe to use for this (and any) pie.

A store bought crust may also be used.

No Bake Fresh Strawberry Pie!

The prepared pie crust will be pre-baked (or blind baked) per the package instructions and cooled.

Once the strawberries and filling are added, the pie is not baked.

Instead the pie will be chilled (recommended overnight) to set.

How Long Will it Last in the Refrigerator?

About 4-5 days wrapped snugly with plastic wrap or foil though it’s best eaten when it’s freshly made.

I love Press-n-Seal plastic wrap which seals snugly.

Can a Strawberry Pie be Frozen?

Yes! I’ll confess they’ve never lasted long enough in my house to get to the freezer!

Cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Or after covering the top to secure the filling, it can also be placed into a larger freezer zipper plastic bag.

TIP for making a freezer bag air tight 

If using a freezer bag remove excess air by:

• Inserting a drinking straw into the opening of the bag
• Zip the bag closed except for the straw.
• Inhale through the straw, removing as much of the air as possible.
• Withdraw the straw and quickly seal the bag!

It may be kept in the freezer for 6-8 months.

Some more Strawberry Recipes You’ll Love

• Miniature Strawberry Buttermilk Buckle
• Strawberry Cake: an Easy Summer Cake Recipe
• Strawberry Stuffed French Toast
• Homemade Strawberry-Infused Vodka + 3 Strawberry Vodka Cocktail recipes

Try these Pie Recipes too

Luscious Lemon Pie

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How to Make this fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe – Step by Step:

Originally published: July 13, 2014