Making vinegar from strawberry tops is a great way to recycle and reuse this often left-over, yet edible, part of the strawberry plant. It’s also a fun project that can be completed in just a few days. So read further to discover how easy it is to make and enjoy your strawberry top vinegar, and reduce food waste – bonus!
You just need a few ingredients. Then you put them together and leave them to get on with becoming a tasty useful fruit vinegar. The vinegar component is the preservative here, so the vinegar can last for some time. This allows you to explore new ways to use it.
So Easy to Make
The best time to make strawberry vinegar from strawberry tops is when you are using fresh strawberries for another dish. This might be when you are making a dessert, a salad, smoothie or strawberry jam.
Once you have hulled -‘ cut off the tops’- the strawberries to make these dishes, you put the already washed tops into a clean, sterilised sealable jar, that has a non-reactive lid. Add the vinegar and seal the jar.
Next is the hands-off part. Leave the jar at room temperature for a minimum of two days allowing the vinegar to infuse. It will gradually start to turn, first pink, and then a redder colour. After a few days, strain the vinegar into a clean sterilised bottle and start using your strawberry vinegar.
TIPS:
- Always used washed strawberry tops.
- Make sure that you leave the vinegar for a few days to allow the strawberry flavour to be released into the vinegar.
- Use a fine metal strainer or a piece of muslin to strain off as much of the fruit pulp out of the vinegar.
- You may use any type of clear vinegar, including white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even rice vinegar, to make this dish.
- You may choose to chop the strawberry tops up as much or as little as you prefer to expose as much surface area of the tops to the vinegar and to release as much as possible of the distinctive strawberry flavour. But for me, this just detracts from the wonderful simplicity and ease of making this bonus product, so I just throw them in the jars and make fruit vinegar.
Suggested Uses for Strawberry Vinegar
An easy starting point is to use this vinegar as a dressing for salads. You mix equal parts of strawberry top vinegar and olive oil together to make a delicious salad dressing.
It also works great as part of a marinade. Just add strawberry top vinegar to your marinade mix for chicken or fish for a flavourful and tangy meal.
Use as a flavour booster: Add a tablespoon of strawberry top vinegar to your favourite cocktail for an extra zing. Also, add some to dips for extra flavour.
As a fruit vinegar: To make preserves such as pickles, or as the vinegar ingredient in chutney preserves.
So, this is a new and delicious way to extend your enjoyment of strawberries. This recipe is easy to make, versatile and enjoyable. Plus, it’s got eco-credentials as it makes use of whole fruit eliminating waste and getting the most out of it.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
For more information see RESOURCES
Strawberry Tops Vinegar Recipe
Equipment
- A clean sterilised empty glass jar with a sealable non-reactive lid.
- A piece of muslin/coffee filter/fine mesh strainer
- Another clean, sterilised glass bottle with a non-reactive lid.
- Funnel
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberry tops
- 2 cups your choice of clear vinegar
Instructions
- Begin by washing your strawberry tops in clean water. Remove any leaves or debris.
- Chop the strawberry tops up by hand or with a food processor/blender.
- Transfer the strawberry tops to a clean, empty glass jar.
- Add the vinegar to the jar to cover the strawberry tops.
- Put the lid on and seal the jar.
- Allow the vinegar to steep for 2-5 days in a cool, dark place.
- After 2-5 days, strain the vinegar to remove the solids.
- Transfer the vinegar to a clean glass jar or bottle and store it in a cool, dark place; or in the fridge. As vinegar is a natural preservative, this vinegar can last for weeks. It does not need to be kept in the fridge, but you may choose to do so if you prefer.
Notes
TIPS:
-
- Always used washed strawberry tops.
-
- Make sure that you leave the vinegar for a few days to allow the strawberry flavour to be released into the vinegar.
-
- Use a fine metal strainer or a piece of muslin to strain off as much of the fruit pulp out of the vinegar.
-
- You may use any type of clear vinegar, including white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even rice vinegar, to make this dish.
-
- You may choose to chope the strawberry tops up as much or as little as you prefer to expose as much surface area of the tops to the vinegar and to release as much as possible of the distinctive strawberry flavour. But for me, this just detracts from the wonderful simplicity and ease of making this bonus product, so I just throw them in the jars and make fruit vinegar.
Suggested Uses for Strawberry Vinegar
An easy starting point is to use this vinegar as a dressing for salads. You mix equal parts of strawberry top vinegar and olive oil together to make a delicious salad dressing. It also works great as part of a marinade. Just add strawberry top vinegar to your marinade mix for chicken or fish for a flavourful and tangy meal. Use as a flavour booster: Add a tablespoon of strawberry top vinegar to your favourite cocktail for an extra zing. Also, add some to dips for extra flavour. As a fruit vinegar: To make preserves such as pickles, or as the vinegar ingredient in chutney preserves. For more information see RESOURCESNutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.