A Bounty of Blueberries

It's blueberry season! If you're wondering what to do with all those delicious little morsels, check out these creative ideas and my personal favorite blueberry recipes!

I fully admit that I’m not a big fruit eater, which is why I’m happy that smoothies were invented. This way, I know I get my daily dose in a few yummy sips.

Frozen blueberries often go into the mix, but when fresh blueberries are in season, I balk at mixing them into smoothies. I want to savor each and every berry during its brief, local season.

Doing anything other than eating in-season blueberries out of hand seems like gilding the lily. But there are lots of great ways to use them, other than devouring them in their natural state, and we’ll get to that in a moment.

Health Benefits of Blueberries

Aside from being incredibly delicious, it’s become common knowledge that blueberries are also among the most nutritious fruits—and actually, one of the most nutritious foods, period.

With a plethora of vitamins and rich in antioxidants, their benefits to health and cognitive function are too numerous to list in an article of this length.

If you want to get an eyeful of wonderful reasons to eat blueberries as often as possible check out this information from Oregon Blueberries.

Ways to Use Blueberries

Fruity combos: Mangos are quite good this time of year. For every cup of blueberries, combine with 1 medium peeled, diced mango. Or combine a pint or so of sweet, ripe strawberries (halved or quartered) with about an equal amount of blueberries.

Berry parfait: Layer either of the above combinations with coconut yogurt and top with a sprinkling of granola for breakfast; or do the same with nondairy ice cream for a simple dessert. Or forget the layers, and just use blueberries as a topping.

Blueberries in green salads: Combine blueberries with spinach and/or baby greens, some thinly sliced carrots, and toasted sliced almonds (dress in a simple vinaigrette or a raspberry vinaigrette) for a deliciously different salad.

Blueberries in baked goods: Fresh blueberry season doesn’t always overlap with the desire to turn on the oven, but find a cool morning or evening to make fresh blueberry muffins, cakes, cobblers, and crumbles. Or make a stovetop crumble using the recipe following.

Berry beverages: Despite my personal reluctance to do so, once the novelty of fresh berry season is out of your system, do go ahead and use blueberries in your fruity and green smoothies. They’re so much tastier than frozen blueberries in beverages.

Have a berry breakfast: Use blueberries folded into or to top pancakes, French toast, and hot or cold cereal.

Best Blueberry Recipes

Mixed Greens Salad with Avocado and Blueberries is a gorgeous summer salad featuring mixed greens, bell peppers, plus the surprising flavor twist of berries. It’s a snap to make and adds a splash of color (and lots of antioxidants) to the summer plate.

Vegan Blueberry Cornbread rises so beautifully, with a golden crisp crust bursting with berries and sweet summer corn kernels. It’s just moist and sweet enough to be a treat, but healthy enough to eat any time of day.

Vegan Blueberry or Blackberry Cobbler is classic dessert that's abundant with seasonal berries. It's delicious on its own or with nondairy ice cream.

Burgundy Berry Bliss Smoothie combines blueberries and greens, resulting in a burgundy beverage that’s as tasty is it is pretty.

Lemony Blueberry Muffins are perfect for making on cool summer evenings during blueberry season. The double twist of lemon juice and zest is what makes them shine.

When fresh berries are in season, Mixed Berry Sauce is delicious served over cakes, pies, or nondairy ice cream. it’s one of the simplest and most versatile ways to use blueberries (or other berries).