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Cool off a warm summer’s day with this easy and refreshing Strawberry Sorbet recipe! This vibrant sweet treat will be your new favorite indulgence. It’s made with four simple ingredients and a food processor or blender and tastes simply divine.
This homemade easy strawberry sorbet is a velvety blend of luscious frozen strawberries, a hint of zesty lemon, and a touch of agave nectar to enhance the natural sweetness of the berries. The smooth scoopable texture and bright, tangy-sweet flavor make this strawberry sorbet ice cream the perfect guilt-free indulgence! This recipe is a great excuse to buy extra fresh berries at the market – simply freeze what you don’t enjoy fresh to make dreamy berry sorbet.
Summertime just got sweeter! Whether you’re looking for a healthier-for-you dessert or are hosting a summer party, this simple icy treat will be a crowd-pleaser. Bonus: this recipe can be made with ANY type of fruit! If you have other berries or fruit that are about to become overripe, freeze them and swap them for the strawberries in this recipe.
For more vegan ice cream recipes, try my easy pear sorbet, banana ice cream, or grilled banana and macadamia nut milk ice cream.
Ingredients
Frozen Strawberries: Buy fresh, ripe strawberries and freeze them for the sweetest, juicest flavor. You can also get high-quality frozen strawberries from the grocery store.
Agave Nectar: This natural vegan-friendly sweetener comes from the agave plant and adds sweetness to the sorbet without overpowering the fruity flavor of the berries. You can swap it for maple syrup if desired.
Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice to add the brightest flavor and acidity to the frozen strawberry sorbet. Alternatively, use lime juice or orange juice for a citrus variation.
Lemon Zest: Adds a burst of citrus aroma to the sorbet. Use a zester or fine grater to gently remove the outermost layer of the lemon peel, being careful to avoid the bitter inner white pith.
How to Make Strawberry Sorbet
- Blend Frozen Strawberries. Place the frozen strawberries in a food processor and blend until coarsely ground but not yet smooth.
- Add Other Ingredients. Add the agave, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed.
- Freeze. Spoon the strawberry sorbet into a freezer-safe container with a lid and freeze for at least one hour before serving with an ice cream scoop.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use quality ingredients. Using ripe, sweet strawberries will make a naturally sweet sorbet without needing extra sweetener – if your strawberries are at peak ripeness, you can use less agave! Fresh lemon juice will provide the best overall flavor.
- Balance sweetness and tartness. Taste the sorbet mixture before freezing and adjust it to your liking – add more agave for sweetness or lemon juice for tartness. Increase the amount of lemon zest for a more concentrated lemon flavor.
- Chill before freezing. If you have the time, chill the sorbet in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes before transferring it to the freezer. This will prevent ice crystals from forming and give the sorbet a smoother, creamier texture. You can also skip the chilling step and improve the texture by blending in a tablespoon of your alcohol of choice. Vodka and white rum are both delicious!
- Add a garnish. Dress up this dessert for special occasions with fresh berries, mint leaves, a slice of lemon, or extra lemon zest on top for a beautiful and tasty presentation.
Recipe Variations
Below are several ways to switch up this recipe and enjoy delicious flavor variations!
- Mixed Berry: To make a mixed berry sorbet, mix frozen strawberries with other berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
- Coconut Strawberry: Blend in 1-2 tablespoons of full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream for a tropical twist that adds richness and a hint of nutty coconut flavor.
- Balsamic Strawberry: Drizzle balsamic glaze over the strawberry sorbet before serving for an exciting, sophisticated, tangy-sweet flavor contrast.
- Mint Strawberry: Pulse fresh mint leaves into the sorbet before freezing for a refreshing twist that pairs wonderfully with the sweet-tart flavor.
- Chocolate Strawberry: For a romantic twist, drizzle scoops of strawberry sorbet with melted chocolate reminiscent of chocolate-covered strawberries. Then, top with chopped nuts or shredded coconut for extra flavor and presentation.
- Alcoholic Sorbet: For the adults, add a few jiggers of vodka, rum, or champagne to the sorbet before serving for a fun buzzy treat.
- Vanilla Strawberry: Blend in a splash of pure vanilla extract for a subtle vanilla flavor that adds a touch of warmth and richness to the sorbet.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this frozen treat as is for a light and refreshing dessert or serve as a palette cleanser with sparking wine at your next dinner party. Dress it up by adding desired toppings, or pair it with some of our favorite dessert recipes below for a grand after-meal indulgence:
Storage Directions
Store leftover sorbet in a freezer-safe sealed container for up to one month. Thaw for a few minutes before serving for easier scooping.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use fresh strawberries in this recipe if you find them ripe and in season, though I recommend freezing them before blending for the best sorbet texture. Alternatively, you can add ice cubes, but note this can dilute the flavor.
If you don’t have a food processor, you can easily make this recipe in a high-speed blender instead. Follow the recipe as outlined but in the blender. Stop the blender periodically to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula to achieve a smooth texture.
Absolutely! This is a great make-ahead dessert to prepare a day or two before parties or get-togethers. Simply make the recipe and store it in the freezer until you’re ready to serve!
This sorbet recipe is 100% plant-based and dairy-free, making it a great vegan dessert for those with dietary restrictions.
More Summer Dessert Recipes
- Avocado Pineapple Popsicles
- Vegan Milkshakes
- Berry Vegan Crumble
- Raw No-Bake Coconut Cupcakes
- Matcha Coconut Butter Cups
Recipe Card
Strawberry Sorbet
Ingredients
- 4 cups frozen strawberries
- 3 tbsp agave nectar
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
Instructions
- Place the frozen strawberries in a food processor or blender and blend until coarsely ground but not yet smooth.
- Add the agave, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the food processor or blender as needed.
- Spoon the strawberry sorbet into a freezer-safe container with a lid. Freeze for at least one hour before serving with an ice cream scoop.
Notes
- Use quality ingredients. Using ripe, sweet strawberries will make a naturally sweet sorbet without needing extra sweetener – if your strawberries are at peak ripeness, you can use less agave! Fresh lemon juice will provide the best overall flavor.
- Balance sweetness and tartness. Taste the sorbet mixture before freezing and adjust it to your liking – add more agave for sweetness or lemon juice for tartness. Increase the amount of lemon zest for a more concentrated lemon flavor.
- Chill before freezing. If you have the time, chill the sorbet in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes before transferring it to the freezer. This will prevent ice crystals from forming and give the sorbet a smoother, creamier texture. You can also skip the chilling step and improve the texture by blending in a tablespoon of your alcohol of choice. Vodka and white rum are both delicious!
- Mixed Berry: For a mixed berry sorbet, mix frozen strawberries with other berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
- Coconut Strawberry: Blend in 1-2 tablespoons of full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream for a tropical twist that adds richness and a hint of nutty coconut flavor.
- Balsamic Strawberry: Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze over the strawberry sorbet before serving for an exciting, sophisticated tangy-sweet flavor contrast.
- Mint Strawberry: Pulse fresh mint leaves into the sorbet before freezing for a refreshing twist that pairs wonderfully with the sweet-tart flavor.
- Chocolate Strawberry: For a romantic twist, drizzle scoops of strawberry sorbet with melted chocolate reminiscent of chocolate-covered strawberries. Then, top with chopped nuts or shredded coconut for extra flavor and presentation.
- Alcoholic Sorbet: For the adults, add a few jiggers of vodka, rum, or champagne to the sorbet before serving for a fun buzzy treat.
- Vanilla Strawberry: Blend in a splash of pure vanilla extract for a subtle vanilla flavor that adds a touch of warmth and richness to the sorbet.
THIS.IS.AMAZING. Devoured half of it right out of the blender! Used strawberries that I picked at a U-Pick field and the flavor was out of this world. Made it twice back to back and am going to experiment with other frozen fruits too.
I love to hear it. I like the right-out-of-the-blender texture best. I bet it was extra yummy with those fresh picked berries. Yum!!!