How to Store Blueberries

The Freshest Blueberries

Blueberries are a great part of summer produce before disappearing for another year. So how do you keep the flavor going longer than just summer? There are a variety of ways. Look below for some tips.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy plastic freezer bags
• Large flat pans with borders
• Sugar (optional)
• Large pots or pans (nonreactive, see warnings)
• Muffin recipes and ingredients
• Jam and jelly recipes and ingredients

Instructions

How to Store Blueberries

1. Freeze whole blueberries for an easy-to-use treat. Place a cookie pan or other flat pan with sides in the top of your freezer, with a solid single layer of blueberries. Shake pan periodically to make sure berries don't stick together or to the pan. Leave overnight, or until frozen solid. Place frozen berries in plastic freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible and store in the coldest part of your freezer. Use frozen berries as you would fresh in most recipes.

2. Make thick blueberry jam or syrup as a topping for ice cream, toast or pancakes. Combine whole blueberries with sugar to taste, up to an equal amount. Add one quarter the amount of water as berries. Cook in a nonreactive pan over low heat until mixture boils. Mash, or leave berries whole. Cook, stirring frequently or constantly, until desired thickness is reached. Check occasionally by cooling a small amount on a plate, as mixture will thicken with cooling. Freeze in jars or freezer bags, or can in jars in a hot-water bath for 10 minutes.

3. Prepare the dry ingredients and shortening for your favorite muffin recipe. Add whole, fresh blueberries. Place in gallon-size freezer bags, remove air and store in freezer. Bring to room temperature, add other ingredients and continue with your recipe. Mix your muffins right in the bag.

4. Prepare your usual recipes for pie, muffins or pancakes, then freeze the finished product. You can also freeze muffin or pancake batter or uncooked pies. Thaw batter and cook as usual, partially thaw pie and bake as usual.

5. Dry fresh berries in food dehydrater or on trays covered with screens or cheesecloth in a shady, breezy location. Store in insect-proof containers when thoroughly dry. Or store dried berries in bags in the freezer.

6. Preserve jam by packing boiling jam into hot jars and topping with a 1/4 inch layer of melted wax. Top with lids when cooled.

Tips & Warnings

• Try putting frozen berries in your morning cereal for an easy treat.

• Dried berries are great in granola.

• Blueberries are a great resource for your freezer. Stored properly, they will keep until the next summer.

• Follow any recipe for blueberry jam.

• Freeze quickly to prevent spoilage.

• Dry berries thoroughly to prevent spoilage.

• Always cook fresh fruit in a nonreactive pan, either ceramic coated or stainless steel.

Resources

• Grow the Best Blueberries
• The Joy of Blueberries Cookbook
• True Blueberry: Delicious Recipes for Every Meal