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Is there a more perfect summer fruit than the blueberry?
I don’t think so.
Blueberries are everywhere right now – piled high at the farmers market, two-for-one at the grocery store, practically begging to be turned into something delicious. And while I’ll never say no to a handful eaten straight from the carton while standing at the kitchen counter, I also like to put them to work.
So I went looking around the internet (and through my own recipe box) for the best blueberry recipes out there, and I came back with seven favorites: a couple of cocktails, a savory sauce, a wildly good jam, and three of my own recipes that I make on repeat all summer long. Sweet, savory, stirred, or shaken, there’s something here for every blueberry lover.
Blueberry Margarita from Kate the Baker
Courtesy of Kate the Baker
Katie the Baker takes a classic margarita and makes it even better. She blends fresh blueberries with a touch of sugar into a quick homemade sauce, then shakes it up with tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau for a margarita that’s just as gorgeous as it is refreshing. That beautiful purple color alone makes it worth the effort, but trust me, the flavor delivers too. This one’s going in my regular summer rotation.
Mint-Infused Blueberry Cocktail from If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen
Courtesy of If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen
This one blueberry smash is an even easier drink. Fresh blueberries, mint, and lime get muddled together, shaken with vodka and a little honey, then topped off with seltzer for something light, herbal, and just sweet enough. I love that she left those little blueberry bits right in the glass. It makes for a beautiful drink, and you get a little burst of fruit in every sip. Perfect for a porch evening.
Savory Balsamic Blueberry Sauce from Rocky Mountain Cooking
Courtesy of Rocky Mountain Cooking
If you’ve never tried blueberries in a savory dish, this is where to start. Simmer fresh blueberries with shallots, garlic, and rosemary, then balance it all out with balsamic vinegar and a little honey. The result is a rich, glossy sauce that’s wonderful spooned over grilled chicken or pork. It comes together quickly enough for a weeknight, but it’s pretty enough for company, too.
Blueberry Red Onion Jam from Pinch Me, I’m Eating
Courtesy of Pinch Me, I’m Eating
This jam might be the most unexpected recipe on this list, and I am completely on board with it. Caramelize red onion low and slow, then add blueberries, balsamic vinegar, red wine, and a little honey, and let it all simmer down into something rich, jammy, and downright addictive. Pile it onto a cheese board with some blue cheese, spoon it over a burger, or do as one of her readers suggested and slather it on a biscuit. However you serve it, it’s a showstopper.
From My Kitchen
Summer Arugula, Feta, and Blueberry Salad
I have to tell you about my book club. We started out calling ourselves the Foodie Book Club, and at every meeting we’d cook something inspired by whatever we’re reading that month. One of our members showed up with an arugula, feta, and blueberry salad, and it might be one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten. I went straight to the market the next morning to make my own version, and it’s been my favorite salad ever since. Sweet blueberries, salty feta, peppery arugula, and crunchy candied pecans, all tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette. it really does have it all.
Easy Blueberry Lemon Trifle Recipe
This is the dessert you make when you want everyone to think you fussed for hours, even though you really didn’t. A quick stovetop blueberry filling and a simple lemon cream get layered with lemon cake into a trifle bowl, and the result is just gorgeous – those distinct, colorful layers practically guarantee oohs and aahs at the table. I use a few smart shortcuts here, including jarred lemon curd, so don’t let the showstopping looks fool you. It really is easy.
Easy Homemade Crepes with Blueberry Sauce
These crepes show up on my table a good number of Saturday mornings, and I never get tired of them. They’re thin, delicate, and just a little bit fancy-feeling, but truly no harder to make than pancakes. The blueberry sauce comes together while the batter rests, so the whole thing moves along easily, even if it’s your first time making crepes. Roll them, fold them, fan them out on a plate however you like – just don’t skip the sauce. You’ll want extra for spooning over ice cream, too.
