Small but mighty, blueberries pack a punch of vitamin C, fiber, and heart-helping antioxidants. The little berries are a common star in warm-weather recipes like cobblers, cakes and muffins, but they also pair nicely with savory dishes.
If you find yourself with a surplus of the berries, try one of these 10 Best Ways To Use Blueberries.
1. Eat Them As They Are
Besides the usual suspects like pancakes and muffins, blueberries make a surprisingly delicious addition to all sorts of other dishes. Try adding a pinch to your grilled cheese or PB & J sandwiches for a fresh flavor boost.
One cup of blueberries provides a hearty dose of Vitamin C and only 80 calories. Try dropping them into ice cube trays before freezing to add a sweet touch to any beverage.
2. Blend Them Up In A Nourishing Smoothie
A healthy blueberry smoothie recipe is one of the best ways to use up your extra berries. This sweet drink is packed with nutritious ingredients like chia seeds, bananas, and spinach.
Blueberries also pair well with savory dishes, and they’re great when infused into spirits that don’t have a lot of flavor, such as vodka. Try this Blueberry Thrill cocktail. It’s refreshing and delicious!
3. Toss Them Into Your Pancake Batter
You can’t beat a stack of fluffy blueberry pancakes drizzled with butter and syrup. It’s one of the best ways to use blueberries.
Place the berries on top rather than stirring them into the batter, as doing so could cause them to burst and color the pancakes. This allows them to cook evenly throughout. A pinch of baking powder helps these pancakes rise.
4. Add Them To Your Fruit Salad
The sweet berries make for a lovely addition to any fruit salad. Try this strawberry blueberry banana salad recipe for a light and sweet dessert for a bridal or baby shower.
These berry cheesecake bites are the ultimate way to use your ripe bounty! This recipe is also great for a cookout or party. Add a drizzle of lime juice for extra zesty flavor.
5. Bake Them Into Muffins
A staple of many warm-weather recipes, blueberries make a sweet and delicious addition to muffins.
Toss a cup of blueberries with flour to prevent them from sinking into the batter as they bake. Divide the batter evenly among 12 standard-size muffin cups and sprinkle with sugar before baking.
For an extra boost of flavor, add a zest of lemon to your muffins.
6. Throw A Few Into Your Cereal Or Oatmeal
Blueberries are low in calories and fat, and they’re also a healthy source of vitamin C. One cup of fresh blueberries has just 80 calories and provides 16% of the recommended daily allowance of fiber.
Toss a handful of freshly chopped or frozen blueberries into your favorite cereal. Alternatively, mix a few into oatmeal to make it more interesting.
7. Make A Blueberry Compote
Cooking down a bunch of blueberries into a compote is a smart way to use up any that are past their prime. It also helps keep the berries from going moldy or spoiling.
This fruit compote is great on top of ice cream, pancakes, porridge or oatmeal, chia pudding and more. A dash of lemon juice helps balance the sweetness and adds another flavor dimension.
8. Add Them To Your Lettuce-Based Side Salads Or Main Course Salads
Blueberries add a beautiful pop of color and flavor to salads. They also pair well with savory foods like grilled chicken and pasta dinners.
Add a twist to your salad by mixing in berries and adding some feta cheese for an extra pop of flavor. This easy salad is perfect for meal prep. It’s a great dish to serve for lunch on busy weekdays.
9. Bake Them Into Muffins
Blueberries are a summertime staple, especially for desserts and sweet breakfast dishes. They are packed with antioxidants and heart-helping vitamins and minerals.
Bake a batch of these healthy, whole-wheat blueberry muffins. They are sure to please the kids and adults alike! The batter can be made ahead, then frozen for later use. Just thaw overnight and bake as directed. Makes 12 servings.
10. Add Them To Your Fruit Salad
A wholesome berry salad is the perfect dessert to serve at a baby or bridal shower. This recipe is also great for serving at a picnic, backyard bbq or party.
Note: The best berries are plump and juicy with no signs of mold. If you’re using kiwis, gently press the skin and sniff; a ripe kiwi should give slightly and smell sweet.
