I Asked 3 Experts To Name the Best Strawberry Ice Cream—They All Said the Same Thing

I’ve no problem admitting that I’ve got a sweet tooth. And while my sweet tooth doesn’t discriminate, it does have a proclivity for all things chocolate, chocolate-coffee, and chocolate chip. I’ll dabble in Swedish Fish or a lime popsicle here and there, but most of my saccharine cravings turn away from fruitiness. That is, unless we’re talking about strawberry ice cream. 

Strawberry ice cream reminds me of childhood, carefree days, and sunny afternoons. So as I enter summer in full swing, I find myself with a hankering for creamy strawberry treats. And, since I like to check in with my community of chefs for recommendations, I consulted the pros to find out which brand of strawberry ice cream they load into their grocery cart.

I chatted with three trusty chefs and was delighted to hear that the best strawberry ice cream brand is Häagen-Dazs.

The Strawberry Ice Cream-Loving Experts

The Winning Pint

“My go-to is Häagen-Dazs Strawberry Ice Cream,” says Clark. “It’s a classic for a reason.” 

Burgess agrees: “It’s widely available and consistently a high-quality option.” According to the three pros, the quality, its superb taste, and delectable texture are all attributable to its ingredients. There are just five “pure, simple ingredients: cream, skim milk, strawberries, cane sugar, and egg yolks,” says Burgess, “which gives it its velvet texture and prominent strawberry taste.” 

Stevens agrees that Häaagen-Dazs’ ingredient list is the key to make it the best: “It has just the right balance of sweetness and tang, with pieces of real fruit and a clean finish with no waxy aftertaste.”

Häaagen-Dazs uses real strawberries and cream as opposed to “artificial flavoring, neon coloring which give other brands a syrupy, candy-like taste,” which is what sets it apart from other pints of strawberry ice cream, says Clark. “The flavor is fresh and bright, the texture is incredibly creamy, and you can truly taste the strawberries in every spoonful. It feels both classic and indulgent.”

I agree with the chefs. Häaagen-Dazs strawberry ice cream tastes like strawberries and whipped cream, but blended into one. Like Stevens, I also value that you get little bits of actual strawberry in each bite.  

Though I like to eat it by the spoonful just as is, Clark shares an awesome tip I can’t wait to try: “I absolutely love making ice cream-stuffed strawberries! I hollow out big, juicy strawberries and fill them with mini scoops of strawberry ice cream. It’s a super fun, bite-sized treat that’s as cute as it is refreshing which you can dip in dark chocolate before freezing for an extra-special twist.”