Farmers’ Almanac Recipe Contest: Strawberry Edition
Quick Reference: Strawberry Recipe Contest
- Featured ingredient: strawberries, the star of every entry.
- Deadline: enter by February 19, 2026.
- How to enter: one original recipe per person, submitted online through the form on this page.
- Prizes: $400, $300, and $200 for first, second, and third place.
- Judging: a panel of Farmers’ Almanac judges scores each recipe on taste, originality, and appearance.
- Where they appear: the three winning recipes run in the 2027 Almanac and on FarmersAlmanac.com.
The Farmers’ Almanac annual recipe contest is open, and this year the featured ingredient is strawberries. If your strawberry jam makes plain toast taste like heaven, or your strawberry pie is the first dish to disappear at family gatherings, this is your invitation to share it with the world. Below you will find the contest rules, the online entry form, the prizes, and answers to the questions readers ask us most. Enter by February 19, 2026.
Recipe Contest Rules
Read these before you submit. The list is short, and following it keeps your entry in the running.
- Your original recipe must feature strawberries as a main ingredient.
- All recipes must be submitted online, via the form below.
- Limit: one recipe per person.
- No professional cooks or previous winners.
- Please provide clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
- Enter by February 19, 2026.
Any questions? Contact questions@farmersalmanac.com
How to Enter the Strawberry Recipe Contest
Entering takes only a few minutes. Fill out the form below with your recipe title, the full ingredient list, and the steps from start to finish. Write those steps the way you would explain them to a neighbor over the fence, since clear directions help our judges recreate your dish exactly as you intended. One entry per person, so send us the recipe you are proudest of.
Strawberry Recipe Contest Entry Form
“*” indicates required fields
If you would rather grow the berries you cook with, the Farmers’ Almanac Gardening by the Moon Calendar lists the Best Days to plant a strawberry patch in your region.
What Makes Strawberries Worth Celebrating
Strawberries have a long history in American kitchens and in folklore. June’s full Moon is even known as the Strawberry Moon, a name Algonquin peoples used because it marked the short season when wild berries ripened and were ready to gather. Peak strawberry season runs from late spring into early summer across much of the country, though the exact weeks shift by region.
The ripest, reddest berries carry the most flavor, so shop or pick at the height of the season for a stronger showing in your recipe. If you want to raise your own, the University of Minnesota Extension keeps a plain-English guide to growing strawberries in the home garden. Whether you grow them yourself or buy a flat at a roadside stand, the best berries make the best contest entries.
Tips for a Winning Strawberry Recipe
Our judges score every entry on three things: taste, originality, and appearance. A few simple habits help on all three.
- Taste: let the strawberry lead. Balance the berry’s natural sweetness with a little acid or a pinch of salt so the flavor stays bright.
- Originality: a fresh twist stands out. Think of a savory strawberry salsa, a glaze for grilled chicken, or a shortcake with an unexpected herb.
- Appearance: we eat with our eyes first. Note the color, the plating, and any garnish in your instructions so the dish looks as good as it tastes.
Test your recipe at least once before you write it down. The details you notice on a second try, a pinch more sugar or a minute less in the oven, are often what separate a good entry from a winning one.
Prizes and How Winners Are Chosen
Three cooks take home cash prizes, and their recipes reach readers all across the country.
What do the winners win?
Three winners will receive cash prizes: $400, $300, and $200 for first, second, and third prizes. The winning recipes will appear in the 2027 Almanac and on FarmersAlmanac.com. Check out this year’s winning Casserole Contest Recipes in the 2026 Almanac.
How are winners selected?
A panel of Farmers’ Almanac judges will rate each recipe on taste, originality, and appearance.
A Final Thought
Remember, strawberries aren’t just used in sweet recipes; they also taste great in many savory dishes. A handful tossed into a green salad, a spoonful of strawberry salsa over grilled fish, or a quick balsamic-strawberry sauce can carry a whole meal.
If you like to time your baking and canning, the Farmers’ Almanac Best Days Calendar marks the traditional days for putting up preserves and jams. So dig through your family recipe box, call your relatives for that secret ingredient you could never figure out, and share your strawberry magic. Your strawberry delight might become America’s next favorite recipe.
Strawberry Recipe Contest: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the featured ingredient in this year’s Farmers’ Almanac Recipe Contest?
Strawberries. Every entry must feature strawberries as a main ingredient, whether the dish is sweet or savory. Submit one original recipe through the online form on this page.
When is the deadline to enter?
Enter by February 19, 2026. All recipes must be submitted online through the form on this page, and the limit is one recipe per person, so send in your best.
Who is eligible to enter the recipe contest?
The contest is open to home cooks. Professional cooks and previous winners are not eligible, and each person may submit one original recipe that features strawberries as a main ingredient.
What do the winners win?
Three winners will receive cash prizes: $400, $300, and $200 for first, second, and third prizes. The winning recipes will appear in the 2027 Almanac and on FarmersAlmanac.com.
How are the winners selected?
A panel of Farmers’ Almanac judges will rate each recipe on taste, originality, and appearance. Clear, easy-to-follow instructions help the judges recreate your dish the way you intended.
Can I enter a savory strawberry recipe?
Yes. Strawberries taste great in savory dishes as well as sweet ones, from a strawberry salsa to a balsamic glaze for grilled meat. As long as strawberries are a main ingredient and the recipe is your own, it qualifies.
Where can I see past winning recipes?
Past winners are printed in the Almanac each year. You can find this year’s winning Casserole Contest Recipes in the 2026 Almanac, available with a Farmers’ Almanac All-Access membership.
This article was published by the Staff at FarmersAlmanac.com. Any questions? Contact us at questions@farmersalmananac.com.
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
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