20 Juicy Ways to Utilize Fresh Blueberries

By June 11, 2020

Sweet Corn and Blueberry Trifles
Blueberries add their summery sweetness to everything from desserts to savory dishes to cocktails in these inspired recipes. Try munching on them in a classic blueberry crisp, pie, or cake. Or transform them into a blueberry jam, butter, or sauce to slather all over your morning toast or barbecue chicken (a combination we highly recommend). You can even sip them in a blueberry milkshake, boozy drink, or restorative soup. Sweet or savory, there are so many delicious ways to enjoy blueberries. Laura Sant

Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes with Lemon Crema

Granola and quinoa lend a sneaky earthy-crunchy vibe to these substantial, fluffy pancakes from Dennis Bernard, chef de cuisine of Chicago’s Dove’s Luncheonette. Get the recipe for Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes with Lemon Crema »

Blueberry BBQ Chicken

Similar to a shrub—a fruit syrup punctuated by vinegar—my Blue Q sauce makes a bracing drink when mixed with club soda or booze. It’s also the first step in a fruity vinaigrette. And as much as it loves smoke, this sauce sees my oven more than my grill. Keep in mind this is not a marinade. Brush it on toward the end of cooking and let the chicken soak up more of the sauce before serving. The final soak is key. Get the recipe for Blueberry Barbecue Chicken »

Black and Blue Berry Pie

Inspired by his neighbor Olivia Pattison’s recipe, chef Chris Fischer uses tapioca in the filling of this pie because it thickens the juicy berry mixture without imparting its own flavor or becoming gummy. Minute tapioca pearls are easy to find in grocery stores, but if you like, substitute an equal amount of cornstarch.

Spiced Cabbage with Blueberries (Kryddað Rauðkál með Bláberjum)

Cookbook author Nanna Rögnvaldardóttir braises ruby red cabbage with warm spices, fruit, and jam for this festive, sweet-tart side dish that rounds out an Icelandic Christmas menu.

Nectarine, Blueberry, and Vanilla Bean Hand Pies

Erin Patinkin and Agatha Kulaga of Ovenly in Brooklyn give us their recipe for nectarine, blueberry, and vanilla bean hand pies, which work equally well for breakfast as they do dessert.
This recipe is inspired by a cocktail at Fish & Meat, a rustic Italian restaurant in Hong Kong. It’s lightly sweet thanks to the jam, but also quite tart and refreshing. Get the recipe for Blueberry Jam and Prosecco Cocktail

Blueberry Sauce

Pastry chef Emily Luchetti makes this simple sauce for topping pancakes, waffles, or a scoop of ice cream. Get the recipe for Blueberry Sauce »

Carolina Blues Blueberry Cocktail

A long, cooling cocktail, the Carolina Blues follows the classic Tom Collins blueprint, swapping simple syrup for shrub, soda for prosecco, and lemon juice for lime. The blueberry shrub in this recipe is actually North Carolina chef Vivian Howard’s blueberry barbecue sauce, which she uses to glaze chicken, but its makeup is similar enough to a shrub that it can pull double duty. Get the recipe for Carolina Blues Blueberry Cocktail »

Blueberry Upside Down Cake

A thick, jammy layer of blueberries tops dense, buttery cake. Slightly sweet and dramatic, this is best made with the ripest in-season blueberries. All it needs is a dollop of whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg. Get the recipe for Blueberry Upside Down Cake »

Blueberry Crisp

Blueberry Crisp

Blueberry, Nectarine and Shiso Salad

Bright shiso leaves and a touch of earthy sesame oil enhance this stone fruit and berry salad. Get the recipe for Blueberry, Nectarine and Shiso Salad »

Sweet Corn and Blueberry Trifles

Layers of sweet corn pastry cream alternate with an herb-infused blueberry compote and a buttery shortbread crumble in a summery spin on the classic trifle. Any other berry at its peak makes a delicious substitution; try layering the ingredients into mason jars for an easy-to-transport picnic dessert. See the recipe for Sweet Corn and Blueberry Trifles »

Mustikkakeitto

In Finland, wild summer berries are frozen for use in winter’s mustikkakeitto, a warm, silky blueberry potage packed with vitamin C.
As featured in Pies and Alaskan Hospitality Along the Iditarod Trail

Grilled Cantaloupe with Peach Agrodolce

In this elegant dessert, cantaloupe is grilled until it caramelizes and is then dressed with agrodolce, a sour-sweet Italian sauce made by reducing vinegar and sugar. Get the recipe for Grilled Cantaloupe with Peach Agrodolce »

Blueberry-Poppy Seed Squares (Borůvkový Koláč)

The floral character of poppy seeds shines when paired with blueberries in this rich dessert.
Sweet and smoky blueberry chipotle ketchup makes a perfect addition to all manner of grilled foods; it’s great in place of barbecue sauce on chicken legs and meaty portobello mushrooms. Get the recipe for Blueberry Chipotle Ketchup

Blueberry Pie Milkshake

A scoop of vanilla ice cream and a hefty slice of pie go into the blender together, and out comes the ultimate dessert: A creamy shake with buttery crumbles of pie crust and ribbons of gorgeous fruit filling throughout.

Blueberry Jam with Lemon and Thyme

Blueberries are great candidates for jam-making because of their high level of pectin—preserve them at the height of summer and enjoy their flavor year-round.

Blueberry Donuts

Blueberry Donuts

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