Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits around. Their sweet, juicy flavor makes them an irresistible snack and a versatile ingredient. But if you’re buying strawberries at the grocery store or farmers market, you may be wondering – how many strawberries actually come in a typical pack? The number can vary quite a bit depending on the size and type of pack.
In this article, we’ll break down the common pack sizes for strawberries and how many berries you can expect in each. Whether you’re buying strawberries for a recipe, to snack on, or stock up your fridge, this guide will help you select the right pack size and quantity for your needs.
Key Factors That Determine Strawberry Pack Sizes
There are a few key factors that influence the number of strawberries packaged together:
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Berry size – Strawberries come in a range of sizes, from small wild strawberries to extra large varieties. Larger strawberries mean fewer berries per pack.
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Pack weight – Most strawberry packs are sold by weight (eg. 1 pound clamshell) Heavier packs fit more berries.
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Container type – Clamshells, baskets, and open containers hold different amounts of berries.
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Organic vs. conventional – Organic strawberries tend to be smaller on average, so you may get more berries per pack.
Now let’s look at some of the most common pack sizes and strawberry counts you’re likely to find.
Strawberry Pack Sizes and Approximate Counts
Strawberry Clamshells (1 pound)
The 1 pound strawberry clamshell is one of the most popular pack sizes you’ll see in supermarkets. One pound equals 16 ounces. A typical 1 pound clamshell holds:
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12-16 medium strawberries
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8-12 large strawberries
So for average medium berries, you can expect around 14 strawberries in a 1 pound clamshell. Just note that berry counts can fluctuate based on size.
Strawberry Clamshells (8 ounces)
For a smaller quantity, 8 ounce clamshells are readily available. These normally contain:
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8-12 medium strawberries
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5-8 large strawberries
On average, plan on about 10 strawberries in an 8 ounce clamshell.
Strawberry Baskets/Pints (1 pound)
The classic strawberry basket or pint packs 1 dry pound of berries, equal to about 1 1⁄4 pounds when weighed with caps on. A pound strawberry basket or pint will have:
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16-24 medium berries
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10-16 large berries
Expect approximately 20 medium strawberries in a typical 1 pound basket.
Strawberry Baskets/Pints (1 pint)
If you see strawberries sold by volume in pint baskets, this equals approximately 10-12 ounces of berries. A 1 pint strawberry basket typically has:
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12-18 medium berries
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8-12 large berries
Plan on around 15 medium strawberries in a 1 pint basket.
Larger Strawberry Packs (2 pounds, 2 quarts, etc.)
When buying larger quantities of strawberries, here’s how many to expect:
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2 pound pack – 35-45 medium berries, 25-35 large berries
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2 quart pack – 30-40 medium berries, 20-30 large berries
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3 pound pack – 50-70 medium berries, 35-50 large berries
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4 pound pack – 70-90 medium berries, 50-70 large berries
The number of strawberries can vary quite a bit based on size. But in general, larger packs mean bigger savings per pound.
Organic vs. Conventional Strawberry Counts
You may notice that organic strawberries often come in smaller sizes compared to conventional berries. This means you typically get more organic berries per pack:
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1 pound organic clamshell – 14-18 medium berries
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1 pound conventional clamshell – 12-16 medium berries
Go with organic if you want to maximize the number of berries per pack.
Quick Tips for Getting the Most Strawberries
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For the most berries, choose smaller organic packs when available.
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Inspect packs and select ones with smaller berries.
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Avoid jumbo or extra large size packs – these will have fewer berries.
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Buy in-season berries for better value.
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Rinse and remove caps to reduce weight and get more edible berries per pound.
How Many Strawberries Should I Buy?
How many strawberries you need depends on how you plan to use them and for how many people. Here are some guidelines:
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Converting Pints of Fresh Strawberries
Berries used to be sold in cardboard pint or quart-sized containers, and they still do at farmers markets. However, these days, you are more likely to see them in plastic containers that are measured by weight, more specifically, ounces. A common size is 16 ounces or one pound.
If your recipe calls for a pint of fresh strawberries, or a quart, which is equal to two pints, you need to do some simple math.
One pint equals:
- 3/4 pound (12 ounces)
- 12 large, 24 medium, 36 small strawberries
- 1 1/4 cups puréed strawberries
- 2 1/2 cups whole small strawberries
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups sliced strawberries
Converting Pounds to Cups
Most recipes that call for cut strawberries will tell you how many cups to use. This is true whether you’re making a fruit tart, a summer salad, or a fresh dessert. Going to the store to buy strawberries but they only come in 1-pound containers with whole strawberries? Here are some easy ways to figure out how many containers you need to buy.
One pound of whole strawberries equals:
- 2 3/4 cups sliced strawberries
- 3 3/4 cups whole strawberries