This small fruit goes big when it comes to versatility. Blueberries pair well with a variety of flavors, cuisines and meals. As you make a shopping list or ponder your next snack, keep these pairings in mind.
Classic Blueberry Flavor Combos
Lemon
At the very top of the list is sweet-tart blueberries and sharp lemon, an almost unbeatable combination. (But don’t sleep on blueberries + other citrus flavors, including lime, orange and even grapefruit.)
Blueberries are the ultimate complement to cheesecake in any form. Whether the blueberries act as a simple topping or one of a complex swirl of ingredients, you almost can’t have cheesecake without this fruit!
Blueberries and bananas go hand in hand, eaten on their own or blended up into one of an almost infinite number of smoothie recipes. Bananas bring the creaminess; blueberries bring the pop of color and flavor.
Blueberries work equally well in savory snacks and dishes, bringing a burst of sweet-tart that counters and complements zesty or aromatic flavors. Here are a few must-try ideas.
Balsamic vinegar and blueberries
These two make a powerhouse pair for salad dressings and vinaigrettes, sauces and glazes for poultry, meat and vegetables. You can even use them for a blueberry compote to top sweet treats like pound cake.
This combo is almost cheating, as blueberries make a delicious partner for savory and sweet cheeses alike. They add a fresh, juicy pop to feta and other salty cheeses in salads and grain bowls. Mascarpone shows up in many blueberry recipes as well, serving equally well in savory crostini as a sweet bread pudding.
Charcuterie boards will never be the same! Blueberries bring just the right sweet, juicy balance to the smoky flavors of bacon, salami, prosciutto and other cured meats. Pair them up on your favorite boards, in salads and on sandwiches.
