Do you know the only thing better than fresh strawberries? It’s Vanilla Infused Strawberries!

This easy to make salad is perfect in the morning, it makes a lovely dessert, and it’s excellent in desserts too! You know I love a good fruit salad and this one is truly special because it’s filled with the gorgeous, flavorful essence of vanilla.

So let’s make it!

About the Strawberries

Although strawberries that are in season and flavorful are the best, this recipe is a great way to use not so tasty strawberries because the vanilla adds so much flavor.

Old fresh strawberries are fine. Not so ripe fresh strawberries are fine but frozen strawberries do not work!

If necessary, you can use this simple trick to clean your strawberries before you use them! Instead of giving them a regular wash, add the tiniest hint of vinegar to the wash and dry them completely! It helps keep berries fresher longer.

About the Vanilla

The vanilla you use will also determine how delicious your finished strawberry salad becomes. Vanilla extract works best because the alcohol helps with the infusion process. But if you truly love vanilla you could add a tiny touch of fresh vanilla bean to the infusion.

I am a huge fan of creating your own vanilla extract like this. There’s nothing better!

How to Make the Vanilla Infused Strawberry Salad

Making this recipe is easy, although you will want to soak the strawberries for several hours. Thus, it is a make-ahead recipe!

All you need is the vanilla extract, a bit of sugar and water (to make a simple syrup), a mason jar, and your strawberries.

Start by washing and drying your strawberries thoroughly and making your simple syrup. You will also want to start with a thoroughly cleaned mason jar.

I used almost whole strawberries, but you could slice your strawberries smaller if you like.

Although you don’t need to, I recommend poking holes in the strawberry with a fork or a toothpick. It just adds a bit more vanilla flavor the the strawberries. It’s not necessary but it is fun and tasty!

Now place your strawberries in a large mason jar and fill the mason jar with your vanilla extract simple syrup. Be sure that it completely covers the strawberries so they all have the rich delicious flavor.

Now let your strawberries marinate in your gorgeous vanilla infusion for around 2 hours. You will always want to marinade them in the fridge, to keep your berries cold and thus keep them fresher. But you can lengthen the amount of time you marinade them a bit. For example, you could marinade the strawberries overnight and then use them inside of some crepes for breakfast!

To serve them, simply remove the strawberries from the mason jar and plate them! That’s it!

You could use them to make a Strawberry Cream Pie or crepes like I mentioned above. Or you could just serve them fresh as they are. There are so many possibilities!