Ranking right up there with ramps and rhubarb, strawberries' arrival signals the sweet start of spring. We swoon over our first bite of that inaugural strawberry recipe, and adore snacking on them in their unadulterated glory, too.
We’ve prepped so many strawberries for enjoyment—wash, de-stem, slice—that we can pretty much do it on autopilot. And since we plow through pint after pint each spring and summer, those strawberry tops pile up pretty rapidly. They always find a second home in our compost piles, but as we dove into more topics related to food scraps we normally toss yet could be consuming, we started to wonder, can you eat strawberry leaves? This could be a game-changer for us on our mission to reduce food waste…
Can You Eat Strawberry Leaves?
Filing this under “things we wish we learned sooner:” Yes, you can eat strawberry leaves! The entire strawberry—including the stem, leaves, flesh, and of course seeds—are safe to eat.
Not only will you reduce your overall food waste contributions by eating strawberry tops, but you’ll also be doing your body good. Although they don’t often (if ever) earn accolades as part of a best superfoods list, if you choose to consume rather than compost or toss the tops, you’ll be scoring some serious health benefits, research suggests.
“Strawberry tree leaves are also a nutritionally valuable raw material,” the authors of a 2020 study published in the journal Molecules confirm. “The use of leaves…has a number of biological benefits, including significant antioxidant activity, antibacterial and antifungal effects, and anti-inflammatory action.”
As a refresher, here’s a debrief about those terms.
- Antioxidants: These are vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (natural plant chemicals) in foods that help neutralize free radicals, which occur as the result of oxidation caused by stressors like exposure to sunlight or pollution, stress, alcohol, or cigarette smoking. High intake of antioxidants may help reduce the risk for certain diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzhemer’s disease, and certain cancers. They can also possibly help slow down the signs of aging.
- Antibacterial and antifungal: These kill or stop the growth and spreading of bacterial and fungal invaders. Their “anti” effects may reduce the risk that any pathogens will cause disease.
- Anti-inflammatory: Short-term inflammation is often positive; it can help our bodies heal from a cut or aid in muscle growth after exercise. Chronic inflammation, though, can overtax the immune system and lead to imbalances that may play a role in health issues ranging from arthritis to depression to heart disease.
When looking at the overall antioxidant content of strawberry tops is about six times as much as in the berries themselves, scientists estimate. Strawberry leaves also deliver a dose of:
- Vitamin C (although the flesh contains more of the immune system-supporting micronutrient than the leaves)
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
Strawberry tops also add to your fiber quota for the day. (In case you missed it, researchers estimate that only about 5 percent of Americans don’t get our recommended Rx of fiber, a type of gut-friendly carbohydrate, so every little bit helps.)
Now that we’ve covered all of the health benefits of strawberry tops, let’s get to another important reason why you’ll want to eat them: they’re delicious. Strawberry leaves are herbaceous, fresh, earthy, and lightly sweet, making them ideal to savor rather than scrap.
How to Prepare Strawberry Leaves Before Eating or Adding Them to Recipes
Just like it’s important to wash strawberries prior to consuming them to remove any potential dirt, bacteria, or pesticides hanging out on the surface, it’s best to wash the strawberry tops if you plan to consume them. Strawberries are on the “Dirty Dozen” list of produce items that tend to hang onto more pesticides. If you’d like to opt for organic, that should reduce the amount of pesticides on the exterior of the berries.
Regardless if whether you’re starting with organic or conventional, here’s how to prepare strawberry tops for eating:
- Remove and discard or compost any brown leaves.
- Wash the strawberries, including the tops, under cool running water.
- Using paper towels, pat each berry dry, then eat or use in your favorite strawberry top recipe (or full strawberry recipe!)
Test Kitchen Tip: We don’t recommend washing the berries in advance (say, right after picking or purchasing) unless necessary, as excess moisture speeds up spoilage. However, if you want to wash the berries hours or days before you plan to eat it, opt for a vinegar wash. Transfer the whole berries to a bowl filled with 3 parts water and 1 part apple cider or distilled white vinegar. Allow the berries to soak for 20 minutes, then place the berries in a colander, and rinse under cool running water. Using paper towels, thoroughly dry every berry, then place them in a single layer inside a paper towel-lined food storage container. Refrigerate for up to 7 days.
The Best Uses For Strawberry Leaves
Of course, if you find that you don't really enjoy the texture or flavor of the strawberry leaves, you can still discard them. But if you opt to devour them instead, you'll be able to increase the flavor and nutrition each time you savor strawberries, plus you'll waste a little less.
The easiest way to enjoy strawberry leaves is right along with the berry itself. After cleaning, snack on fresh strawberries whole (tops and all). We like to use the leaves as a “handle” for these Deviled Strawberries, then devour the leaves as well for some bonus nutrition.
If you prefer to sneak them in via more subtle ways, throw clean strawberry tops into a smoothie, toss them into a salad, or use the full berry (leaves and all) in drink recipes like Strawberry Sangria, Strawberry-Basil Smash, Red Drink Water Ice, or Strawberry-Mint Lemonade. You can also quick pickle strawberry tops to use as a condiment for tacos, grain bowls, or grilled fish. Or try strawberry leaves as a supplement to a sauce like pesto or chimichurri.
