20+ Recipes To Savor Hand-Picked Wild Blackberries
If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you know the joy of filling a big bucket full of perfectly ripe blackberries. It's a mid-summer tradition that may involve a few cuts and scrapes that are entirely worth the huge harvest of delicious berries you end up with.
We can't blame you for eating them handful after handful, but if you've found yourself with way more berries than you can shake a bramble at, consider transforming them into something special!
Check out some of our favorite blackberry recipes that are sure to be one of the culinary highlights of your summer.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Blackberry Cheesecake Cups
If you can't be bothered to turn on your oven during warm summer months, consider these no-bake blackberry cheesecake cups!
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake
1/2 cup heavy cream, cold
1/2 pound cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Blackberry Sauce
12 ounces blackberries, washed
2 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons water
1/2 lemon, juiced
Directions
In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream until medium peaks are formed. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, honey and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine the blackberries (reserve a few for garnish!), sugar, water and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook the berries for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the berries are broken down and the mixture has become syrupy. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
To assemble the cheesecake cups, place a spoonful of blackberry sauce in the bottom of 6 individual ramekins, tumblers or small dishes and spoon a large scoop of the cheesecake mixture on top of the sauce. Finish by pouring the remaining blackberry sauce over the top of each serving and top with fresh berries. Serve immediately or refrigerate before serving.
Photo Courtesy of Feasting at Home
Blackberry Basil Salad
With their slightly tart and sweet flavor, blackberries are a wonderful compliment to salads.
Here, blackberries are combined with spinach, garden basil, goat cheese, and a sweet homemade dressing to create a salad that's sweet, salty, and herby.
Serve this salad as an appetizer for dinner or enjoy it as a light and simple mid-day snack.
Photo Courtesy of EatingWell
Fresh Blackberry Sauce
One of the easiest ways to enjoy a big basket full of perfectly ripe blackberries is to turn them into a delectable sauce!
Fresh blackberry sauce is easy to make and can be used on everything from ice cream and angel food cake to salad and grilled chicken.
This sauce is also no-cook, so feel free to remove the blackberry brandy if you don't want to use alcohol.
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Blackberry Tequila Lemon Cooler
Another great way to use juicy and delicious blackberries is in a cocktail!
Here, blackberries are muddled with thyme to create a sweet and herby base for the cocktail.
Tequila and lemonade are added to the mix and what you end up with is a perfect summertime refresher.
Photo Courtesy of EatingWell
Strawberry & Blackberry Fruit Salad
Trying to keep it simple? Go with a fruit salad!
This fruit salad calls for strawberries, blackberries, and fresh mint, but you could also add in blueberries or melon for an extra bit of summer sweetness.
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Blackberry Lavender White Chocolate Scones
Of course, blackberries are perfect for desserts. They add that perfect sweet flavor, and what a treat that you can find them in your backyard!
Here, blackberries are paired with lavender and sweet white chocolate to create a perfectly flaky buttery scone that's the sweetest brunch addition ever.
These scones are a labor of love, but they're definitely worth it.
Photo Courtesy of EatingWell
Watermelon Fruit Pizza
You probably don't think pizza when you think watermelon, but here's a recipe to change your mind!
Watermelon is sliced down the center to create the pizza "crust" and is then topped with a yogurt "sauce" and finished off with berry and mint "toppings".
It's a fun dessert that your kids with love!
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Baked Blackberry Ricotta French Toast
Pan-fried french toast is delicious, but if you've never had the chance to enjoy an oven-baked french toast, you're in for a treat.
French toast bakes are super easy and absolutely delicious and this one is full of summertime blackberry flavor.
Serve it at your next brunch with a salty complement like bacon and scrambled eggs.
Photo Courtesy of Food & Wine
Spiced and Pickled Blackberries
Yes, pickled blackberries are a thing, and they're the perfect sweet and sour complement to salads, grilled meat, and more.
This is a quick-pickle recipe that utilizes those blackberries that are about to get too squishy to enjoy on their own.
Pickled blackberries can be refrigerated for up to 3 months.
Photo Courtesy of Feasting at Home
Blackberry Bramble
If you aren't a big tequila fan but are still looking for a cocktail to create with your blackberries, consider this bramble recipe from Feasting at Home!
Sweet blackberries are combined with dry gin, zesty lemon juice, and semi-spicy ginger beer to create a well-balanced cocktail.
Serve this as an after-dinner treat, fancy vintage glassware highly suggested.
Photo Courtesy of Food & Wine
Blackberry-Mint Julep
Alright, now if you aren't a fan of tequila or gin, what about bourbon?
This blackberry mint julep is a fruity take on the classic cocktail that gives it a nice summer twist.
If you don't like bourbon, just add your favorite liquor of choice.
Photo Courtesy of Fine Cooking
Blackberry-Sage Water
You probably already know that drinking water is a key element in maintaining a healthy diet.
But if you're looking for a flavorful twist that will encourage you to drink more, consider this blackberry-sage flavored water!
This drink is lightly flavored, but you could certainly make it a little sweeter with some simple syrup.
Photo Courtesy of Fine Cooking
Blackberry, Bacon, and Brie Grilled Cheese
Salty, sweet, a little cheesy, and full of fruity flavor, here's a grilled cheese sandwich that is nothing like the ones you enjoyed as a kid.
Blackberries add a fruity touch while bacon and brie cheese give it that salty flavor you need for a proper grilled cheese.
Enjoy this grilled cheese as a mid-day lunch or a nostalgic snack.
Photo Courtesy of Bob’s Red Mill
Blackberry Vanilla Protein Pops
Cool down with this blackberry vanilla protein pop recipe from Bob's Red Mill.
Not only are these frozen desserts totally refreshing on a hot day, but they're packed full of protein. Say what?! Win-win.
Blackberries add some sweetness while lemon zest adds a little zing.
Summer Peach and Blackberry Galette
Arguably one of the fanciest summer desserts that's actually super easy to make is a galette.
Stick to the recipe and use both peaches and blackberries, or mix it up with whatever fruit you have on hand.
If you're trying to save time during the prep process, you can make the dough and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days before putting it all together.
Photo Courtesy of Food & Wine
Photo Courtesy of Draper Valley Farms
Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Thighs
If you're looking for another savory recipe that features blackberries, consider this chicken thigh recipe from Draper Valley!
Chicken thighs are fried in a simple cornstarch coating and crisped up to perfection before having a blackerry balsamic sauce drizzled on top.
Alternatively, you could grill the chicken thighs and then top them off with the sauce.
Photo Courtesy of Gimme Some Oven
Blackberry Arugula Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Here's another simple salad recipe that's perfect for enjoying perfectly ripe and firm blackberries.
Calling for just 4 simple ingredients, this recipe is a breeze to toss together and is the perfect light summer dish.
Top this salad off with grilled steak, or serve it alongside baked tofu.
Photo Courtesy of Bon Appetit
Rosemary-Crusted Prime Rib Roast
If you're trying to get real fancy with your blackberries, consider this prime rib roast with a blackberry-based conserva.
This is definitely a recipe you should save for a special occasion, but the time and love you put into it will be totally worth it.
Find the full recipe at Bon Appetit
More Blackberry Recipes
Blackberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Cups from Taste of Home
Blackberry Lime Sorbet from Renee Nicole’s Kitchen
Blackberry and Red Wine Sauce from The Spruce Eats
Blackberry Fool from NYT Cooking