5 Ingredient Strawberry Pie Filling Recipe

It’s strawberry season and I couldn’t be happier about it! Perfectly ripe strawberries are sweet and juicy with just a hint of tart. Try out my delicious Strawberry Salsa (5 Ingredients), this Strawberry Horchata or these yummy Strawberry Lemon Blondies.

Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling

Get ready to make the best strawberry pie of your life with this homemade pie filling recipe! It’s so much tastier than what you get from the store. It’s made with minimal fresh ingredients without any weird additives that you can’t pronounce. Your desserts will have that amazing made-from-scratch flavor that simply can’t be beat. Now, all you need is this perfect pie crust recipe!

What is in Homemade Strawberry Pie Filling?

I love that this strawberry pie filling recipe is made with such simple ingredients! After just one bite, you will taste how much better homemade is and be so glad that you tried this easy recipe. See the recipe card below for complete measurements.

Strawberries: Fresh or frozen strawberries will work. Granulated Sugar: Perfectly sweetens the filling and balances the tartness of the berries. Clearjel: This is what thickens the filling to give it the perfect consistency. There is no substitution! See the note in the ‘Tips and Tricks’ section below for more information. Water: Boiling water is combined with the sugar and Clearjel to get the thickness just right. Lemon Juice: Adds fresh brightness and enhances the natural flavor of the fruit.

How to Make Strawberry Pie Filling

Follow these step-by-step instructions and you’ll see just how easy it is to make your own pie filling. You can even can it, if you’d like!

To Can the Filling

Do I have to use ClearJel? YES! There is no substitute. Clearjel is a modified food starch that will not break down after canning, being heated more than once, or over time. It is an absolute must for this recipe. Other thickeners, such as flour or cornstarch, will end up breaking down and your pie filling will turn out runny. ClearJel can usually be found in large grocery stores with their canning supplies or can be purchased online. Do I have to Blanch the Strawberries? You don’t have to blanch the berries, but this helps sterilize them before making your filling. If you would like to skip this step, you may skip it but your berries won’t be as sterilized as they would with the blanching. Can I use Frozen Strawberries? Yes, when using frozen strawberries, you should let them thaw to room temperature before using them. Save the liquid from thawing and top it off with water until you have the 1 cup of water called for in the recipe card. You do not have to blanch thawed strawberries for this recipe. Why use Bottled Lemon Juice? The acidity in fresh lemons varies from lemon to lemon, so it is difficult to get consistent acid content. To safely can your strawberry pie filling, it is best to use bottled lemon juice because the acidity is the same from bottle to bottle. If you are making the filling and do not plan to can it, fresh lemon juice will be fine.

Without Canning: Store the strawberry pie filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. In this time, you can use it as a topping or to fill baked pie crusts or pastries. Canned: Store canned strawberry pie filling in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months. Make sure to check that the seal has not broken and the lid cannot flex before opening and using. To Freeze: You can freeze the filling. Add it to a large freezer bag and keep for up to 3 months. To thaw, refrigerate overnight.