Fresh blackberries are one of summer’s best treats, but let’s be real—they have a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shelf life. If you don’t eat them right away, they can go bad fast. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to preserve that harvest so you can enjoy them all year round. Freezing is my personal favorite because it’s so easy, but it’s definitely not your only option!
How to Make Blackberries Last Longer
If you’ve just come home with a big haul of freshly picked berries and can’t finish them off, don’t let them go to waste. Beyond the freezer, you can try:
- Drying them for a chewy snack.
- Canning them into jams, jellies, chutneys, or compotes.
- Making homemade syrups, juices, or even a batch of blackberry liqueur.
Give Them a Good Wash First
Before you pop them in the freezer, you’ll want to give your berries a thorough rinse with cool water. This is super important if you’re foraging wild berries in the woods to make sure you’re cleaning off any outdoor “surprises” like fox tapeworm eggs. Even if you’re picking from your own garden or balcony containers, a quick rinse is still a good idea to get rid of any dust or dirt.
Dry Them Off Well
Once they’re washed, make sure to dry the berries thoroughly. You want to remove as much excess water as possible so they don’t turn into a mushy mess. Pro tip: Blackberries stain like crazy! Skip your nice cloth dish towels and use paper towels to pat them dry instead.
The “Flash Freeze” Trick
Don’t just dump your fresh berries straight into a freezer bag—they’ll freeze together in one giant clump. If you have the space, spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet or tray. Let them “flash freeze” for about two hours first. This keeps the individual berries from sticking together or getting squashed, so you can pour out exactly what you need later.
Thawing Your Berries
Just a heads-up: once blackberries thaw, they usually lose their firm shape and get a bit softer. Because of that, thawed berries are perfect for baking into cakes or muffins, or stirring into your morning oatmeal, yogurt, or ice cream.
Make Blackberry Ice Cubes
Want to fancy up your drinks? Blackberry ice cubes are a total game-changer for summer lemonade or sparkling water. Just drop a whole berry into each slot of an ice cube tray and fill with water—or, for an extra punch of flavor, fill the tray with fresh blackberry juice instead!
