Gooseberry recipes

Gooseberries are versatile, tangy and most often used in dessert recipes, where their tart taste marries well with sweet meringue, creamy custard and golden pastry.

When are gooseberries in season? They can be ready as early as the end of May in the UK, depending on the weather, but tend to ripen from late June to early August.

Our scrumptious gooseberry recipes including classic such as fool, gooseberry cheesecake and gooseberry jam – and we have adventurous ideas too, including our gooseberry and white chocolate frangipane tart. Who knew gooseberries and white chocolate were a match made in heaven? This gooseberry and ginger loaf cake is also a summer favourite – alongside elegant pannacotta with gooseberry and elderflower compote.

You can of course also use gooseberries in savoury dishes, where they add a fabulous tart and fruity dimension. Try this smoked mackerel and gooseberry salad – or pulled pork buns with gooseberry ketchup. You can even bake the berries into a focaccia!

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Gooseberry and toasted coconut pavlova

Pavlova

Gooseberry and toasted coconut pavlova

This showpiece pavlova from food writer Angela Clutton anticipates summer's arrival, combining elderflowers and early-season gooseberries.

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Pulled pork buns with fennel and gooseberry ketchup

Slow cook

Pulled pork buns with fennel and gooseberry ketchup

Porchetta gets slow cooked in this pulled pork bun recipe making it a great make-ahead choice for a weekend dinner party.

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Pepper and paneer skewers with gooseberry raita

Quick midweek meals

Pepper and paneer skewers with gooseberry raita

Pair pepper and paneer skewers with a gooseberry raita for a bit of a revelation. The raita is still fresh thanks to the mint and cucumber, but benefits from the added piquant zing of gooseberries.

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Gooseberry and white chocolate frangipane tart

Make-ahead desserts

Gooseberry and white chocolate frangipane tart

Gooseberry tart is great as is, but when sweet white chocolate is added in to the mix, it's a bonafide winner. Frangipane provides the perfect medium for the plump, honey-glazed gooseberry.

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Gooseberry and ginger loaf cake

Cakes

Gooseberry and ginger loaf cake

Gooseberry's tart flavour works so well with the warming hum of ground ginger in this wonderfully simple cake. The use of ground almonds and yogurt makes the crumb super moist.

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Gooseberry and elderflower cobbler

Gooseberries

Gooseberry and elderflower cobbler

Crumble is good and all, but cobbler is what the cool crowd finishes dinner with. This gooseberry cobbler is given an extra punch of seasonal fragrance thanks to elderflower cordial.

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Herby gooseberry focaccia

Focaccia

Herby gooseberry focaccia

The sweetness from the jammy gooseberries makes this herby summertime gooseberry focaccia a wonderful partner for a mature, hard cheese.

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Sticky gooseberry cake with saffron and honey with custard

Gooseberries

Sticky gooseberry cake with saffron and honey with custard

Gill Meller's gooseberry cake has a pleasing tartness, balanced by the saffron and honey sponge, and mellowed further with homemade vanilla custard. 

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Pickled cucumber, fennel, gooseberry, tarragon and lemon salad

Healthy salads

Pickled cucumber, fennel, gooseberry, tarragon and lemon salad

Sharp, sweet, crunchy and fresh – Gill Meller's quick pickled cucumber salad is the perfect side dish for a summery spread.

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Pannacotta with gooseberry and elderflower compote

Pannacotta

Pannacotta with gooseberry and elderflower compote

A perfectly set, wobbling gooseberry pannacotta is a wonderful thing on a summer evening. Serve the creamy dessert with elderflower compote.

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Potted pork rillettes with gooseberries and tarragon

Picnic

Potted pork rillettes with gooseberries and tarragon

Gill Meller's fancy picnic recipe is served with a quick gooseberry and tarragon chutney which cuts through the richness of the rillettes perfectly.

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Smoked mackerel and gooseberry salad

June seasonal

Smoked mackerel and gooseberry salad

Our smoked mackerel and gooseberry salad is packed with tender summer veg, goat's cheese and radishes for a delicious, colourful summer lunch.

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Clotted cream cheesecakes with gooseberry compote

Baked cheesecakes

Clotted cream cheesecakes with gooseberry compote

These decadent individual clotted cream cheesecakes are served with a sparky gooseberry compote - a perfect pud for a summer dinner party.

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Gooseberry ginger beer

Canapés and cocktails

Gooseberry ginger beer

In early summer gooseberries are fat, irresistible emeralds – use them in this delightful al fresco cocktail recipe.

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Elderflower fool with poached gooseberries

Fools

Elderflower fool with poached gooseberries

Use our elderflower cordial recipe, or a shop-bought one, to make this summer dessert – the perfect marriage of sweet and sharp.

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Gooseberry and elderflower tarts

Gooseberries

Gooseberry and elderflower tarts

This gooseberry tart recipe is easy-peasy to make and is a great get-ahead dessert to make for a summertime dinner party. 

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