Strawberries are a beloved fruit enjoyed by many around the world. Their sweet taste and versatility make them a popular choice for everything from smoothies to desserts. But when it comes to buying strawberries, understanding how much you’re getting can be confusing with all the different units of measurement used. If you’ve ever seen a recipe calling for 4 quarts of strawberries and wondered just how much that really is, this article will provide the answers. We’ll explore what a quart of strawberries looks like, how many individual berries are in 4 quarts, and how this amount translates into other common units like pounds or cups. Read on for a comprehensive breakdown of exactly what 4 quarts of delicious red strawberries entails!
What is a Quart?
Before diving into the specifics of 4 quarts of strawberries, it’s helpful to understand what a quart is as a unit of measurement. A quart is 1⁄4 of a gallon, or 2 pints. One quart equals 57.75 cubic inches or 0.946 liters. Knowing this conversion can help give you a better sense of how large a quart truly is.
In the U.S. Customary Units commonly used in cooking, a quart is a standard unit of volume. Other ingredients like milk, broth, and juices are also often measured in quarts at grocery stores and markets.
Visualizing a Quart of Strawberries
To get a better idea of what a quart of strawberries looks like, imagine a quart-sized container filled to the top. Quart containers are squarish in shape and typically hold around 32 ounces or 4 cups of volume. Filled with ripe, red strawberries, a quart would heap high with the berries mounded towards the top. Expect the berries to reach close to the rim of the container.
As a visual aid, here is a photo showing an example quart of fresh strawberries:
As you can see, a quart fits a plentiful amount of strawberries! The quart container allows them to be stacked higher than a shallower container would. When heaped towards the top, a quart holds about 4 heaping cups of whole strawberries.
How Much is 4 Quarts of Strawberries?
Now that we understand what one quart of strawberries looks like, let’s examine the total amount when multiplied by 4 quarts.
4 quarts of strawberries is equal to:
- 4 quart containers filled to the top with strawberries
- 16 heaping cups of whole strawberries
- Approximately 5 pounds of strawberries
- 19-20 cups of sliced strawberries
- 1.9 liters of strawberries by volume
That’s a lot of strawberries! Having this much on hand likely means you’ll be prepping them for a large gathering, party, or even canning or freezing them for later use. Let’s look closer at some of the typical uses for 4 quarts of fresh strawberries.
Uses for 4 Quarts of Strawberries
- Make around 24 servings of strawberry shortcake
- Blend into around 3 pitchers of strawberry lemonade, sweetened to taste
- Mix into 2-3 batches of strawberry bread or muffins
- Freeze for later use in smoothies, pies, jams, etc.
- Infuse into 1-2 gallons of strawberry vodka or liqueur
- Can into 8-10 pint jars of strawberry jam
As you can see, 4 quarts gives you an ample supply for all kinds of strawberry-flavored treats!
How Many Strawberries are in 4 Quarts?
When measuring by volume in quarts, the exact number of individual strawberries can vary. This depends on the size and shape of the particular berries. But on average, 1 quart holds about:
- 24-32 medium-sized strawberries
- 16-20 large strawberries
- 32-40 small or partially sliced strawberries
So for 4 quarts total, you can expect approximately:
- 96 to 128 medium strawberries
- 64 to 80 large strawberries
- 128 to 160 small or sliced strawberries
That’s a lot of hand-picked berries ready for your favorite recipes! The variability comes from the naturally differing size and shape of strawberries. But you can always estimate about 100 medium whole strawberries per quart as a handy rule of thumb.
4 Quarts of Strawberries in Pounds
Another helpful conversion is from quarts to pounds when buying strawberries.
On average, 1 quart of whole strawberries weighs approximately:
- 1 – 1 1⁄4 pounds
So for 4 quarts total, expect the weight to be:
- About 5 pounds
This varies slightly based on how large and juicy the berries are, but 5 pounds is a standard weight for 4 quarts of fresh strawberries.
Strawberry Sizes by Pound
To break it down further, if you assume:
- 1 pound = 16 medium strawberries
- 1 pound = 10-12 large strawberries
Then 5 pounds (4 quarts) equals:
- 80 medium berries
- 50-60 large berries
This helps give you an idea of how many of each berry size you can expect from 5 pounds or 4 quarts of strawberries.
4 Quarts in Ounces and Grams
For added comparison, let’s look at 4 quarts of strawberries measured in ounces and grams:
- 128 fluid ounces (1 quart = 32 fluid ounces)
- Approximately 3,500 grams (1 quart = approx. 875 grams)
So whether you’re working with a strawberry recipe that calls for ounces or grams, you can easily convert from 4 quarts to these units. 128 fluid ounces and 3,500 grams is a plentiful amount of berry goodness!
4 Quarts of Sliced Strawberries in Cups
When strawberries are sliced rather than left whole, they take up more volume in cups.
If estimating:
- 1 pound = about 4 cups sliced strawberries
Then 4 quarts or 5 pounds equals:
- About 20 cups of sliced strawberries
Having them pre-sliced saves time when adding them to baked goods, smoothies, or sauces. So the 4 quarts provides a generous 20 cups worth when sliced up and ready to use!
Cost of 4 Quarts of Strawberries
How much should you expect to pay for 4 quarts or around 5 pounds of fresh strawberries? The cost will depend on your location, season, and whether organic berries are purchased. Some general cost estimates:
| State | Average Cost |
| California | $3-$5 per quart |
| Florida | $2-$4 per quart |
| Midwest | $3-$6 per quart |
| Northeast | $4-$7 per quart |
| Northwest | $4-$6 per quart |
| Southeast | $3-$5 per quart |
So the total cost for 4 quarts generally ranges from:
- $12 – $28
Organic berries will be towards the higher end while in-season savings can offer the lower end pricing. Either way, 4 quarts gives you plenty of strawberries for your money!
Availability of 4 Quarts of Strawberries
Since strawberries are harvested during warmer months, the best time to purchase 4 quarts at peak freshness is typically:
- April – October
This captures the peak seasons around the country:
- California: March – October
- Florida: December – April
- Northeast: June – October
- Northwest: June – September
- Southeast: March – June
Of course, modern growing methods make fresh strawberries available year-round in most grocery stores. But for optimal ripeness and flavor, aim for the peak seasons when buying larger 4-quart amounts for preserves, baking, drinks, etc.
Should You Buy 4 Quarts of Strawberries at Once?
Whether buying 4 quarts of strawberries at one time makes sense depends on several factors:
Benefits
- Cost savings from buying in bulk
- Good for large events, parties, or gatherings
- Allows for preservation via canning, freezing, etc.
- Saves trips to the store for multiple smaller purchases
Drawbacks
- Requires full use within 5-7 days before spoilage
- Can be difficult to transport if you lack a large vehicle
- Takes up significant refrigerator space
- Not ideal if you lack time for preparation and preservation
So weigh these factors against your intended use, transportation, refrigerator capacity, and schedule before purchasing 4 quarts at once. But if you’re ready to prep and preserve, it can be a smart bulk buy!
Storing 4 Quarts of Strawberries
To get the longest freshness out of 4 quarts of strawberries:
- Keep refrigerated at all times in a sealed container (don’t wash them until ready to use)
- Prepare and preserve any berries you won’t use within 3 days of purchase
- Sort through daily and remove any spoiled berries to prevent mold spread
- Consume within 3-5 days for peak flavor and texture
- Wash just before eating or using in recipes
Proper storage helps maximize the usefulness of your 4-quart bulk buy. Follow these tips for delicious strawberries when you need them!
Conclusion
Now that you understand exactly what 4 quarts of strawberries entails, you can shop for and prepare them for all your berry-licious needs! That sizable amount gives you around 100 whole medium berries or 5 pounds total – perfect for feeding a crowd or filling your pantry. 4 quarts provides around 20 cups sliced or 16 heaping cups whole, converting to 128 fluid ounces or 3,500 grams. Typically costing $12-$28, strawberries are most fresh and affordable during peak season from April-October. With proper refrigeration and preservation, 4 quarts is a smart bulk buy for strawberry lovers!
