This easy strawberry sherbet is made in about 5 minutes with only 4 ingredients without an ice cream maker. You will, however, need a food processor.
The secret to this easy recipe is to start with frozen whole strawberries and chill the food processor bowl and blade and milk in the freezer for an hour or two.
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If I have a carton of sherbet or ice cream in the freezer, I guarantee you that it won't last long. I will think about that carton all day long. So, I make it myself to control the portions. If you haven't made it yourself, it's super easy and fast if you have a food processor.
❤️ Why you'll love this homemade strawberry sherbet
- Few ingredients. You only need four simple ingredients to make this sherbet.
- No ice cream maker required. This is an easy recipe for making sherbet if you don't have an ice cream maker.
- Fast. Once everything is chilled in the freezer, you can make this sherbet in about 5 minutes.
- Portion control. Making your own small-batch sherbet is a great way to manage portions!
🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes
This list only covers ingredients that require some notes. For all of the ingredients, measurements, and directions to make this frozen treat, go to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post.
- Strawberries - Use frozen strawberries. If you use fresh strawberries, be sure to freeze them first for 1 - 2 hours until completely frozen.
- Caster sugar - This is a super fine sugar, also called baking sugar. If you don't have any, grind regular cane sugar in a food processor for about 15 seconds until fine.
- Lemon juice
- Whole milk - or heavy cream for a more creamy texture. I have not tried this recipe with low fat milk.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products and foods I use in my kitchen. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. To view my entire storefront of recommended kitchen tools and equipment, check out my shop on Amazon.
🔪 Recommended Equipment
Having the right equipment for recipes makes prepping much easier. For more fuss-free prepping and cooking, check out my updated list of favorite kitchen tools and equipment.
📝 Instructions Overview
Detailed instructions for making this easy sherbet are in the recipe card below, but here's an overview!
Step 1
Chill everything. Throw the berries (if making this strawberry sherbet with fresh strawberries), the food processor bowl and blade, and milk into the freezer for 1 - 2 hours before making the sherbet. If you don't, you'll get a smoothie instead of sherbet. All good, but it won't be sherbet.
Step 2
Place the frozen strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and a pinch of kosher salt in the bowl of the food processor fitted with the chilled blade. Pulse the processor to chop the strawberries. Then run constantly until almost, but not completely smooth, about 3 minutes.
Step 3
With the food processor running, pour in the very cold milk through the feed tube. Blend until only just barely smooth, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.
Step 4
This recipe makes a soft-serve type of strawberry sherbet. If you prefer a firmer sherbet, return it to the freezer for 30 minutes (still in the bowl of the food processor).
Give it a quick whirl and serve.
👩🍳 Tips for Making Homemade Sherbet
- Use frozen whole strawberries, not sliced strawberries.
- Don't overprocess the strawberries before adding the chilled milk. There should be small chunks.
- Don't overprocess the sherbet while adding the milk. As soon as it's smooth, immediately stop processing. Otherwise, it will begin to warm up and soften into a smoothie.
- If you plan to freeze the sherbet for longer than 30 minutes, store it in a freezer-safe container.
💡Ideas for Possible Variations
- Use other large frozen fruits, such as mango and bananas.
- I don't recommend raspberries and blackberries as they have a lot of seeds.
- Other berries don't work quite as well, such as blueberries, because of their density. They turn into a smoothie very quickly.
- Replace the sugar with one frozen banana.
🥬 Make it Vegan
Swap out the whole milk for coconut milk. Chill it in the freezer just as instructed for whole milk.
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Five-Minute Strawberry Sherbet Recipe
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen strawberries use whole strawberries, not sliced
- ¼ cup ultrafine Baker's sugar also called caster sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch kosher salt
- ½ cup whole milk
Instructions
- Chill the milk and the bowl and blade of a food processor for 1 hour.
- Place the frozen strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt in the chilled bowl of the food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse to chop berries coarsely. Then run the machine continuously until almost, but not quite smooth.
- With the machine still running, pour the very cold milk through the feed tube into the strawberry mixture until the mixture is just blended. Do not overmix as it will warm up and begin to melt.
- Spoon into dessert dishes and serve immediately.
The Ninja Baker
Pinning your pink dessert of perfection.
Saving your recipe of scrumptiousness.
And inspired by your ingenuity, Susan =)
Thank you!
laurasmess
Oh man, five minutes?? Totally making this! What a fantastic recipe. Love this series... I am now going to attempt to click through all the links! Great recipe and gorgeous photo Susan x
apuginthekitchen
Wonderful, love five minutes and five ingredients. How easy is this and is a perfect summer dessert or treat. Can't wait for strawberries to hit the market.
Gisela duVigneau
Wow, I just bought field fresh, ripe strawberries. An amazing recipe! Thank you Susan.
Susan Pridmore
Yay!! Just make sure they're frozen solid before making this sherbet. LMK how it goes!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers
I love simple desserts like this! Looks amazing and I can imagine it would taste out of this world.
Run DMT
This is crazy EASY and is perfect for the summer! I'm totally pinning this! Can you use low fat mil (2%) or coconut mil for less fat/calories? I find it interesting that you have to freeze everything in the food processor bowl.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I've not used low fat milk or coconut milk yet, but want to experiment that too. I'd love a lower fat version too 🙂 You don't have to freeze everything in the bowl. I slide the blade in the bowl before putting in the freezer, but pour the milk into a small jar and place the strawberries on a piece of plastic wrap, not touching each other. I think I'll try it with coconut milk this week! Hope you give it a try!!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom
This is a keeper! I love how easy this is and strawberries are at the top of my list of favorite fruits!
Heather // girlichef
I'm so glad you made this choice - it looks amazing, and the color is just gorgeous. Must try!
Laura
I am sorry did I really hear this correctly, 5 minutes? Not just 5 ingredients? I think I have just fallen in love with a recipe.
Liz
Oh my gosh, Susan, quick, easy AND delicious!!! What a marvelous recipe!!!
Shannon R
This turned out so PINK! I love it, so fresh and perfect for spring.
Rita
Susan, have you tried this to make more than 1 serving?
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I have, Rita. I demonstrated this for a class I taught a few years ago that was focused on strawberries. In the class I tripled the recipe without a problem, but I haven't gone beyond that. This approach is designed for small batches, and at some point it's not going to be cold enough to form ice cream. Oh, and when I tripled it, I put the lemon juice in the freezer too, and kept everything in for about 2 1/2 hours. The milk in particular must be very, very cold.
cheri
Hi Susan, I think I have just about a cup of strawberries left, this looks so great I am going to make this now. Love this!
Marlene @Nosh My Way
oh wow. This sherbet is going on my list of things to make.
Tara
Not only are there few ingredients it takes no time at all to make delicious sherbet. Great recipe!!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom
What a gorgeous gorgeous Strawberry Sherbet!!!! and ready so quickly?! oh my goodness, I cant wait to try this!
Laura Dembowski
I love making "ice cream" like this! It is one of my favorite treats and is rather amazing how delicious it turns out.
Katie
I love the beautiful color of this sherbet! I really do need to get myself an ice cream maker for my kitchen so I can make frozen treats like this!
Sarah
LOVE recipes like this, it's perfect for summer!
Julie
Oh, I'm definitely bookmarking this for when strawberries come into season!
Terra
With busy schedules, five minute recipe is always a winner in my book! Love your sherbert recipe! Yum, Hugs, Terra
Courtney @ Neighborfood
I love that this is a single serving sherbet. I always have trouble committing to a whole pint of any flavor, so this would be perfect for me! Pinned!
Shaina
I love the color of your sherbet! What a perfect treat for summer
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
WOW I can't believe it is that simple! It looks so good 🙂
Tracy
WOW! I can't believe that you can make that delicious dessert in 5 minutes!
Dionne Baldwin
I certainly don't mind that you made something sweet. 🙂 I like mine softer so I would take your suggestion. I am so very excited that it's strawberry season! Your sherbet is beautiful and looks delicious.
Cindys Recipes and Writings
Sounds like a perfect, quick treat for a hot day this summer!
Renee
My nephew loves sherbet and I can't wait to make this recipe for him. Besides, strawberry season is here and I get fresh picked strawberries by the big bucket and I'm always looking for recipes to use them.
Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva
I've been in the mood for homemade frozen dessert - you made this so simple! I really loved the 5 ingredients or less for reminding us that sometimes you can make great food without complicated ingredients or recipes!
Tyler
Great for the Keto diet. I make this all the time for my wife and I; we almost have it every night!
Something I would recommend is to not put too much milk when tempted to put more! It takes a while to blend perfectly, but keep on pausing and pushing the yummy mush back in the blender to blend it more.
GREAT Recipe!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much!!