15 of the best blackberry recipes to use up your hedgerow haul

When are blackberries in season?

Blackberries are many people’s introduction to the world of foraging, as they’re easy to identify and pick (just avoid the bramble thorns!). The berries are typically in season from late July until early October, depending on the weather and part of the UK you’re in. So once you’ve spotted ripe blackberries in the hedgerows, grab a tub and go blackberry picking.

Are blackberries good for you?

Blackberries are a good source of antioxidants, polyphenols and vitamin C, and also high in fibre, which is good for gut health. You can eat blackberries raw, to make the most of their nutritional benefits, or cooked in bakes, puddings, preserves or savoury dishes to coax out their sweetness. If eating foraged berries raw, you can soak them in water for five minutes with a dash of vinegar if you like, to get rid of any bugs or impurities.

What can I do with excess blackberries?

Got a glut on your hands? You’ve come to the right place. This selection of our best blackberry recipes is bound to give you some new ideas for using up those foraged berries. Blackberries are a versatile ingredient. Try them raw in drinks, for breakfast with porridge or yogurt, or in a retro ice cream sundae. Enjoy them cooked in easy muffins, a classic crumble or a spectacular layer cake. We’ve even got savoury ideas for blackberries – try them in a salad or paired with meat.

How to store blackberries

Store fresh blackberries in the vegetable drawer of the fridge. Keep shop-bought berries in the container they came in. If you have an open punnet of berries from the farmer’s market or a tub of foraged berries, line it with a few sheets of kitchen roll to absorb any excess moisture. Don’t wash or rinse the berries until you are ready to use them, as this will cause them to break down more quickly.

Can I freeze blackberries?

Yes, and it’s a great way to enjoy blackberries well into the colder months. The best way to freeze them is to gently rinse and dry them, place them in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper, then place in the freezer until they are frozen through. Decant the berries into labelled tubs or freezer bags and store for up to 6 months. This method means you avoid the berries sticking together in big clumps, so you can use only what you need each time. Frozen blackberries taste as good as fresh, but may lose some of their shape and texture when you defrost them. They’re perfect for smoothies, sauces and crumbles, where they don’t need to look perfect – just taste great.

Did you know?

• Originally a wild fruit, the blackberry was first cultivated in 19th-century USA
• The blackberry isn’t botanically a berry, and the plant is a member of the rose family (hence the thorns)
• An arch of brambles can sometimes root at both ends. In Celtic folklore, berries from such a branch were believed to have magical powers
• Fancy growing them? These days there are thorn-free varieties and plants that grow upright
• The loganberry is a hybrid of a blackberry and a raspberry

15 of the best blackberry recipes

Blackberry crumble traybake
Is it a crumble? Is it a traybake? Joy of joys, it’s both! This easy one-tray blackberry cake has a layer of jammy blackberries hidden under a thick crumble-style streusel topping. Enjoy it warm with custard or slice up for lunchboxes and picnics.

Elderberry and blackberry jam
Keep an eye out for elderberries on your next blackberry picking adventure. These round, deep-purple berries are a rich source of vitamin C and pair beautifully with blackberries in this aromatic jam.

Chicken thigh, courgette and blackberry traybake
The subtle tartness of blackberries works brilliantly with courgettes, crispy chicken thighs and salty olives in this late summer traybake. Try it for a midweek supper with crusty bread and plenty of butter, or with new potatoes, rice or couscous for a more substantial dinner.

Bramble cocktail
The bramble is a modern classic. Invented in a London bar in the 1980s, it’s a simple yet elegant cocktail consisting of gin, lemon, blackberry liqueur and simple syrup. Our version is even easier, using blackberry jam and lemonade, with the same sharp-but-sweet flavour combination.

Venison steaks with blackberry sauce
Blackberries hold their own beautifully in savoury dishes. The gamey flavour of venison, earthy celeriac mash and gorgeous blackberry sauce are a winning combination in this elegant dinner for two.

Blackberry smoothie
Antioxidant-rich blackberries are a great addition to your morning smoothie. This flexible recipe can be made with fresh or frozen fruit, so it’s perfect for using up some of your freezer stash or the last, squidgy berries from the punnet.

Chocolate and blackberry muffins
Sneak two of your five-a-day into homemade chocolate muffins. These easy bakes are full of blackberries and beetroot, which adds a subtle earthiness and moist texture.

Blackberry and apple bakewell tart
We’ve given bakewell tart an autumnal reboot, replacing summer cherries with the cosy flavours of blackberry and apple. Serve with big dollops of crème fraîche or a jug of homemade custard.

Smoky blackberry ketchup
The sweet-but-tart flavour profile of blackberries makes them a clever sub for tomatoes in this homemade ketchup recipe. The smoky sauce goes particularly well with sausages and other pork dishes (try it in a bacon sarnie).

Homemade blackberry jam
We couldn’t list our best blackberry recipes without including classic blackberry jam. If you’ve gathered more blackberries than you can gobble up, make jars of this simple preserve and enjoy on your toast or porridge for weeks to come.

Peach and blackberry knickerbocker glory
Load up sundae glasses with layers of juicy blackberries, peach conserve and vanilla ice cream for an easy late-summer dessert with a retro feel.

Lemon and blackberry cake
Vertical layers of lemon sponge contrast with luscious blackberry frosting to make one unforgettable celebration cake. If you’ve got a birthday or other celebration coming up to bake for, try this seasonal stunner.

Apple and blackberry crumble
Level up your crumble with this sophisticated number. Apples and blackberries mingle with a hidden frangipane layer. Finish with a ginger and hazelnut crumble topping and serve with scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Duck niçoise salad with blackberry dressing
Love niçoise salad? Try this fresh take. We’ve swapped traditional tuna for tender roast duck and thrown in juicy blackberries and a zingy, quick-pickled blackberry dressing to boot.

Blackberry gin
Blackberries: meet booze. This versatile flavoured gin recipe can also be made with brandy, rum and vodka. It also uses up nearly a kilo of blackberries – why not make a batch if you’ve been blessed with a bounty of blackberries?

Explore our collection of even more blackberry recipes.