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Strawberry Granita

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Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes     Cook Time:

5 from 3 votes

Strawberry granita is a perfect light and refreshing frozen dessert for summer. It has an icy texture that melts in your mouth that will cool you down on a hot day. It's easy to make and most of the work happens in the freezer!

Frozen granita topped with a fresh strawberry.
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The not-so-secret ingredient of balsamic vinegar deepens the sweet and tangy notes of the strawberries, but subtle enough allowing the strawberries to shine.

I also love these Mexican popsicles or this delicious strawberry banana milkshake when I'm looking to cool down with something sweet!

Main Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to make a delightfully refreshing strawberry granita, and chances are, you have most of them on hand already.

  • Strawberries: The star ingredient!
  • Lemon juice: To enhance the flavors of the strawberries and add some tang.
  • Balsamic vinegar: For depth of flavor.
  • Granulated white sugar: To balance out the tangy notes of the lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.

Instructions Overview

Making strawberry granita is incredibly easy. Simply blend the strawberries, sugar, water, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and salt until completely smooth. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and place it in the freezer uncovered.

After 45 minutes, scrape the partially frozen mixture with a fork. Return it to the freezer. Repeat this process 3 or 4 times until you have a perfectly fluffy granita. It’s that simple. All you need is a blender and a freezer. No baking is required!

Serve your strawberry granita in small bowls.

Granita in a glass topped with a strawberry.

Common Questions

What does granita style mean?

Granita is traditionally made by hand rather than in a machine, so it has a flakier, grainier consistency than sorbet. Eating it is a little like eating snow!

Is granita the same as Italian ice?

Although it is similar to Italian ice, it’s typically more crystalline and smoother. In Italy, the exact consistency varies from city to city. In the east, it’s nearly indistinguishable from sorbet while in the west it’s very chunky. Regardless of texture, granita is never the same as ice cream since it is dairy-free and thus not creamy.

How long does it take for granita to set?

Strawberry granita typically takes between 30 and 45 minutes to set on the sides and top. At this stage, you need to mix it up then give it another 45 minutes and repeat. If you leave it for longer than 45 minutes it will be difficult to mix. As soon as it is fluffy and dry, it’s ready to serve.

What is the best way to store granita?

This strawberry granita keeps in your freezer for up to 1 week. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. You should remove it from the freezer 10 to 20 minutes ahead of serving when you’re ready to enjoy.

Can you make it ahead of time?

Since it will keep for up to 1 week, you can make it ahead of time. As mentioned, you’ll need to remove it from the freezer about 10 to 20 minutes before serving to seamlessly scoop out your portions.

What do I serve with granita?

This strawberry granita is delicious with garnishes of fresh strawberries, mint, candied lemons, vanilla cookies, whipped cream, or any combination of these!

What is the difference between granita and sorbet?

While both of these are made primarily with a blend of fruit, sugar, and water, the main difference is the texture. Sorbets are completely smooth, while granitas have a grainy and loose texture as a result of the scraping process during freezing. There is a churning step in the process of making sorbet which requires an ice cream machine. Granitas do not need to be churned. They are a little more home cook-friendly since minimal equipment is required.

Does granita contain alcohol?

It does not typically contain alcohol. This recipe for strawberry granita is alcohol-free, so it can be enjoyed by everyone.

How do you eat granita?

It can be enjoyed as a standalone dessert. It can also be a palate cleanser before a second dessert course or it can be enjoyed as a midday snack, particularly on a sweltering hot day. You serve it in a small bowl or glass and eat it with a spoon, as you would a sorbet or ice cream.

Does granita have dairy?

It is dairy-free! It’s a wonderful dessert for anyone on a vegan or lactose-free diet. It’s simply fruit, sugar, water, and flavor enhancers like lemon juice and balsamic vinegar in this particular strawberry granita recipe.

Frozen strawberry granita in a spoon.

Chopnotch Tips

  • Use a good blender or food processor to purée your strawberries and combine your ingredients.
  • Pour your blended mixture onto a metal baking sheet or tin if you have one. The metal chills faster which means the granita will be ready to enjoy sooner.
  • Set a timer to remind yourself when it’s time to scrape and fluff. You want to ensure the purée is just frozen enough so that it’s a nice thick consistency for fluffing. You also want to ensure it is not too frozen or else it will be too firm to fluff.
  • If you do not have strawberries, try making this recipe with raspberries, mixed berries, or peaches instead. All these fruits also pair beautifully with balsamic vinegar.
  • To keep it extra cold, freeze your serving bowls as well. 15 minutes in the freezer will give you perfectly chilled and frosted bowls.
A close up of strawberry granita topped with a strawberry.

Strawberry granita is the ultimate fruity, light, delicious, and low-maintenance dessert!

Let us know what you think! Give this recipe a rating in the comments section below.

Recipe

How to Make

Strawberry Granita

This frozen strawberry dessert is a light, refreshing, and fruity summer treat that melts in your mouth. It’s easy to make and it’s a great way to cool down on a hot day!
SCALE THIS RECIPE
Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces strawberries, hulled and halved
  • cup granulated sugar, or to taste
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
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Instructions

  • Add strawberries, sugar, water, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt to a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Put into the freezer (do not cover) and leave it there for about 45min until the mixture barely begins to freeze around the edges. Then mix the granita mixture from the edges into the center with a fork. Let granita sit there until nearly frozen. Then repeat mixing and freezing another 3 to 4 times until granita looks dry and fluffy.
  • Serve in small serving bowls.
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Notes

  • Use a good blender or food processor to purée your strawberries and combine your ingredients.
  • Pour your blended mixture onto a metal baking sheet or tin if you have one. The metal chills faster which means the granita will be ready to enjoy sooner.
  • Set a timer to remind yourself when it’s time to scrape and fluff. You want to ensure the purée is just frozen enough so that it’s a nice thick consistency for fluffing. You also want to ensure it is not too frozen or else it will be too firm to fluff.
  • If you do not have strawberries, try making this recipe with raspberries, mixed berries, or peaches instead. All these fruits also pair beautifully with balsamic vinegar.
  • To keep it extra cold, freeze your serving bowls as well. 15 minutes in the freezer will give you perfectly chilled and frosted bowls.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 69kcal (3%), Carbohydrates: 17g (6%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 1g (2%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 173mg (5%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 14g (16%), Vitamin A: 14IU, Vitamin C: 67mg (81%), Calcium: 18mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Print Recipe
course:
Dessert
cuisine:
Italian

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