25 of Our Best Strawberry Recipes, From Sweet to Savory

Celebrate strawberries with this collection of drinks, desserts, salads, and more.

strawberry napoleons
Photo:

Marcus Nilsson

Everyone's favorite berry, the strawberry is also the first fresh berry to appear in markets, beating out raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries that all appear later in the year. The peak season for strawberries is April to June, which means these sweet, juicy berries star in many springtime dishes beyond dessert, playing a starring role in everything from cocktails to salads

Ready to start cooking with them? Enjoy your favorites all season long with these spectacular strawberry recipes.

01 of 25

Vanilla Sponge Cake With Strawberry-Meringue Buttercream

vanilla sponge cake with strawberry-meringue buttercream
Ngoc Minh Ngo

A whopping three pounds of strawberries are called for in this showstopping cake—they're sandwiched between the layers, cooked down and added to the frosting, and used to crown the top.

02 of 25

Strawberry Spinach Salad

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Mike Krautter

A simple, harmonious salad of strawberries, baby spinach, and feta in a white-balsamic vinaigrette. Toasted almonds and sesame seeds add a rich crunch.

03 of 25

Strawberry Salsa

Strawberry Salsa and nacho chips
Con Poulos

Grab the tortilla chips and try this fruity four-ingredient salsa in place of your usual tomato version. Red onion and jalapeño take strawberries into savory territory.

04 of 25

Tartlets With Yogurt Pastry Cream and Strawberries

strawberry-tart-323-d112797-0416.jpg
Christopher Testani

Pastry cream lightened up with yogurt and whipped cream is paired with store-bought puff pastry and strawberries macerated with sugar and lemon juice in this company-worthy dessert.

05 of 25

Strawberry Shortcake With Basil

mld107056_0411_shortcake.jpg
Katie Quinn Davies

Here's a sophisticated take on a classic dessert. For this strawberry shortcake, basil leaves are simmered in heavy cream to add a subtle perfume to the whipped cream filling. Bake one large shortcake (or eight smaller ones, if you prefer) and top with sweetened strawberries, small basil leaves, and the basil whipped cream.

06 of 25

Watercress Strawberry and Toasted Sesame Salad

Watercress, Strawberry, and Toasted-Sesame Salad
Gentl and Hyers

If you’re a fan of opposing flavors and enjoy how they tickle your tastebuds, you’ll want to add this strawberry recipe to your collection. The peppery sesame and watercress flirt with sweet honey strawberries, creating a delicious and surprising side dish.

07 of 25

Quick Strawberry Jam

med104695_0609_strawberry_jam.jpg

Strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice are all you need to make this easy strawberry refrigerator jam that cooks in just 10 minutes. Spread the jam on toast or biscuits, or use as filling for a layer cake.

08 of 25

Strawberry-Cucumber Gin-Elderflower Spritz

strawberry cucumber gin elderflower spritz
William Abranowicz

A light, fragrant spritz that's also make-ahead, just the thing for summer entertaining. The combination of strawberries, cucumber, and gin is magical.

09 of 25

Strawberry-Shortcake Sundaes

icecream-sundae-strawberry-305-d112073-0515.jpg
Marcus Nilsson

Transform the classic summer dessert into a knockout sundae by layering vanilla ice cream swirled with homemade strawberry sauce, fresh strawberries macerated with sugar and lemon juice, store-bought pound cake, and freshly whipped cream.

10 of 25

Strawberry-and-Toasted-Sesame-Scones

strawberry-and-toasted-sesame-scones
Johnny Miller

Here's a strawberry power breakfast: both fresh strawberries and freeze-dried are infused in this easy scone recipe, balancing out the flavor of the sesame seeds. It also makes a wonderful afternoon snack or a modern afternoon tea companion.

11 of 25

Strawberry-Rhubarb Rolled Pavlova

Strawberry-Rhubarb Rolled Pavlova
Kate Sears

Rhubarb and strawberries are the perfect pair this time of the year to infuse a more elegant, tubular take on a traditional pavlova. Thinly layered, then baked at high heat only to be rolled up, sliced, and served. It can't get any easier!

12 of 25

Strawberry-Ginger Smash

strawberry ginger smash
Paola + Murray

Fresh ginger adds a pleasant kick to this effervescent strawberry cocktail. Perfect for any spring or summer soiree, you can easily swap the splash of vodka for soda water or sparkling lemonade.

13 of 25

Rhubarb-Strawberry Lattice Pie

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Con Poulos

Strawberries mellow out the sharp edges of rhubarb in this classic spring pie.

14 of 25

Waffle-and-Strawberry Trifle

waffle strawberry trifle
Johnny Miller

You can make this out-of-the-ordinary dessert with frozen waffles to save time, but be sure to whip up your own creamy pudding. The rich flavor and silky texture are worth the extra effort.

15 of 25

Strawberries With Créme Fraîche and Sugar

strawberries with creme
Jonathan Lovekin

This is one of the world's great finger foods. The three ingredients are thick crème fraîche, confectioners' sugar, and the most fragrant, perfectly ripe strawberries you can find. Dip, sprinkle, and eat to your heart's content.

16 of 25

Whole-Grain Strawberry-Cherry Crisp

strawberry-frozen-cherry-crumble-091-d111738.jpg
Lennart Weibull

We like this crisp for breakfast as well as dessert. Whole-wheat flour adds an earthiness to the crunchy oat-and-coconut topping which is scattered over lightly sugared strawberries and cherries and baked to the perfection.

17 of 25

Strawberry Cobbler

strawberry-cobbler-0067-d112152.jpg
Mike Krautter

Teaming strawberries with a buttery biscuit topping is always a good idea. Serve warm or at room temperature with a drizzle of cream or a scoop of ice cream.

18 of 25

Strawberry Daiquiri

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Mike Krautter

To make this irresistibly fruity twist on the classic daiquiri, simply blend fresh lime juice, strawberries, white rum, a touch of sugar, and ice cubes.

19 of 25

Strawberry Crepes Flambe

plated strawberry flambe crepes with coffee and cream
Lennart Weibull

Look no further for an easy yet spectacular dessert. Flambéing is one of those techniques you have to try at least once—and this strawberry, brown sugar, and rum sauce is the perfect excuse.

20 of 25

Tomato and Strawberry Salad

tomato salad

Nico Schinco

Sure, it's not exactly the summer pairing you had in mind, but both tomatoes and strawberries taste their best this time of the year—and the light, tangy vinaigrette will simply mesh their sweet flavors together.

21 of 25

Strawberries Cream Cake

Strawberry Cream Cake

Strawberries and cream are a flavor combo we all love but when combined with a pillowy vanilla cake, the result is comforting and delicious.

22 of 25

Martha's Strawberry Ice Cream

strawberry ice cream
Marcus Nilsson

Ripe strawberries are pureed, then macerated with vodka or tequila, to create an unexpected grown-up take on this childhood's beloved ice cream flavor.

23 of 25

Strawberry Cupcakes With Strawberry Buttercream

Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream EDF

Double the flavor, double the fun! Fresh strawberries go into the cupcake batter as well as in the buttercream—a treat so pretty, it'll be impossible to resist.

24 of 25

Strawberry Napoleons

strawberry napoleons

Marcus Nilsson

Get ready to love these tangy, fragrant vanilla-and-strawberry ice cream sandwiches. With layers of puff pastry in between, it’ll be a sweet treat you look forward to after a hot, summer day.

25 of 25

Easy Strawberry Tart

Strawberry Tart

Rachel Marek

Eight ingredients and only 30 minutes to get it together—you can't truly beat the simplicity of this classic strawberry tart featuring a plethora of textures and flavors.

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