19 Sweet & Savory Ways to Use Up Your Fresh Summer Berries

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The minute summer begins, berry season is already in full swing. Take blueberries and strawberries, for instance: The former kicks off in May and extends into early October, while strawberries are harvested as early as May in southern climates. And as for raspberries and blackberries, they peak in June and July. So, it’s no wonder the summer months are the perfect time of the year to experiment with berry recipes — especially if you’re handpicking them fresh.

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From sweet treats, like cobblers and shortcakes, to more savory dishes, like meatballs with blueberry sauce and blueberry basil grilled cheese, we’ve gathered 19 of the best ways to use up all of those fresh berries you just picked.

  • Red Berry Shortcakes

    Image Credit: vm2002/Adobe.

    Take four cups of freshly picked strawberries, combine with sugar, and layer atop shortcakes along with a yogurt and honey mixture to make Ina Garten’s popular Red Berry Shortcakes with Honey Yogurt.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Blueberry Tomato Salad

    Image Credit: Leite's Culinaria.

    Blueberries and tomatoes might seem like unlikely companions, but when they’re at their summer peak, the two combine for a salad that’s sweet, tangy, and totally memorable. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or shrimp, too.

    Get the recipe at Leite’s Culinaria.

  • Blackberry Pie Bars

    Image Credit: The Novice Chef.

    Moist, scrumptious butter pie crust, and a burst of juicy blackberries: These Blackberry Pie Bars won’t last long in your household.

    Get the recipe at The Novice Chef.

  • Strawberry Lassi

    Image Credit: Hinz Cooking.

    You may have tried a mango lassi, but what about a strawberry lassi using fresh summer berries? It’s creamy, sweet, and full of ripe strawberry flavor.

    Get the recipe at Hinz Cooking.

  • Strawberry Basil Chicken

    Image Credit: Wholesomelicious.

    For an easy to make weeknight dinner that embraces fresh strawberries, look no further than Wholesomelicious’ Strawberry Basil Chicken. It comes together in less than two minutes, looks gorgeous — and, most importantly, tastes great.

    Get the recipe at Wholesomelicious.

  • Instant Pot Blueberry Cheesecake

    Image Credit: Mama Needs Cake.

    You read that right: This cheesecake is made in an Instant Pot. And once made, set and chilled, it’s topped with a mouthwatering blueberry compote, made with once cup of fresh blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice.

    Get the recipe at Mama Needs Cake.

  • Savory Blueberry Onion Jam

    Image Credit: Crumb.

    As a topping for grilled chicken, the perfect spread for grilled cheese, or a sauce to serve with a cheeseboard, you can’t go wrong with this savory blueberry onion jam. It’s made with balsamic vinegar and sage, and has a sweet-tart-savory flavor you’ll be totally obsessed with.

    Get the recipe at Crumb.

  • Triple Berry Tiramisu

    Image Credit: The Cookie Rookie.

    Made with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, this summery take on tiramisu is bound to become a family favorite. Have other berries on hand, too? Throw them on in!

    Get the recipe at The Cookie Rookie.

  • Raspberry Barbecue Sauce

    Image Credit: Delicious Little Bites.

    Tired of getting the same old bottle of barbecue sauce at the store? Try shaking things up a little bit with a bright, fresh, raspberry barbecue sauce, a sweet-tart accompaniment for all of your favorite meats.

    Get the recipe at Delicious Little Bites.

  • Raspberry Bread

    Image Credit: Averie Cooks.

    Give your next loaf of bread a very berry twist — more specifically, about two cups of raspberries.

    “There’s almost more raspberries than bread in my recipe for the Best Raspberry Bread!” Averie Cooks writes. “You’ll want to make it over and over because it’s super soft and just bursting with juicy berries.”

    Get the recipe at Averie Cooks.

  • Blueberry Gorgonzola Flatbread

    The combination of blueberries, gorgonzola cheese, and prosciutto make this flatbread not only delicious, but also fancy enough to serve at parties.

    Get the recipe at Rad Foodie.

  • Red & Golden Raspberry Lemon Baby Cheesecake Pies

    Image Credit: Picky Palate.

    Bake a batch of bite-sized cheesecake pies loaded with two types of raspberries. For the Picky Palate’s recipe, you’ll need to pick up about one cup of red raspberries and one cup of golden raspberries.

    Get the recipe at Picky Palate.

  • Strawberry Lemon Blondies

    Image Credit: The View From Great Island.

    Fresh strawberries are used two ways in this recipe for Strawberry Lemon Blondies: diced and folded into your flour mixture, and pureed and mixed into your glaze, leaving you with perfectly moist, fruity blondies.

    Get the recipe at The View From Great Island.

  • Five Spice Pork Meatballs with Savory Blueberry Sauce

    Image Credit: Karista Bennett.

    Pork meatballs and blueberries? Oh, absolutely. The slightly sweet flavor of blueberries pair perfectly with savory five spice pork meatballs.

    Get the recipe at Karista Bennett’s blog.

  • Blueberry Basil Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese

    Image Credit: Lemons + Zest.

    Lemons + Zest.

    What we love most about Lemons + Zest’s Blueberry Basil Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese is the touch of sweet honey. Pure perfection.

    Get the recipe at Lemons + Zest.

  • Blackberry Cobbler

    Image Credit: The Cozy Cook.

    From The Pioneer Woman, this Blackberry Cobbler may look intimidating to make, but it’s actually super easy, requiring just five ingredients (including two cups of fresh blackberries!) and 10 minutes to prep. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you have yourself a pan full of lip-smacking cobbler.

    Get the recipe at The Cozy Cook.

  • Savory Cheese Puffs with Raspberry Sauce

    Image Credit: Delicious Little Bites.

    What truly sets these herb-loaded cheese puffs apart is the homemade raspberry sauce. It requires just five ingredients, including one cup of fresh raspberries.

    Get the recipe at Delicious Little Bites.

  • Boysenberry Cinnamon Rolls

    Image Credit: More Momma.

    Give your next Sunday morning batch of cinnamon rolls a boysenberry touch. More Momma’s Boysenberry Cinnamon Rolls have a juicy, sweet berry filling and topped with a to-die-for cream cheese frosting.

    Get the recipe at More Momma.

  • Fresh Strawberry Salsa

    Image Credit: Savory Experiments.

    A perfect poolside snack, this Fresh Strawberry Salsa combines one pound of sweet strawberries, cucumber, red onion, basil and zesty white wine vinegar.

    Get the recipe at Savory Experiments.

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