Looking for a substitute for blueberries? Blackberries, raspberries and even cherries are some of the greatest options in the market but there are even more. Have a look to find your perfect replacement for blueberries!
Delicious, packed with loads of nutrients and make some of the best additions to smoothies, pancakes as well as all sorts of baked treats; what more could anyone possibly want from a fruit?
I’ve got a soft spot for blueberries and can’t help but grab a bunch whenever I come across them in my local grocery store.
But on the rare occasions where I can’t find any, there are a couple of special fruits I get instead that do just the trick when it comes to satisfying my craving and being great substitutes for blueberries in my recipes.
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Top 7 best substitutes for blueberries
Great blueberry substitutes should have nutritional value and also offer some of the many health benefits of blueberries as well as have a similar flavor profile to these amazing fruits. Have a look at ..seven.. fruits that are just that.
- Blackberries
Ripe blackberries are sweet fruits with a slightly tart taste, making them an excellent replacement for blueberries in many recipes. Their sweet taste is akin to that of blueberries and there are also loads of health benefits of blackberries so if nutrition is a big thing for you, blackberries are a superb choice.
The fresh berries would go great in just about any recipe or smoothie blueberries would, but as a personal favorite, I love having them as the main fruit in my tarts and cakes! Blueberries are also one helluva fruit to have in jams as well as trifles and puddings.
- Raspberries
The reddish pink raspberries are also another great replacement for fresh blueberries. I love how versatile these fruits are being that they also make a great substitute for pomegranate and how their slightly tart and tangy taste lends itself well in many blueberry recipes.
Raspberries are also a rich source of vitamin, a good source of fiber, and a variety of other great nutrients. I like using them as a blueberry alternative in recipes where their tart taste would add more dimension to what I’m looking to make, like cakes, sorbet, and so many other desserts.
- Strawberries
I don’t like to pick favourites but I’ve gotta say, strawberries have a special place in my heart. Their sweet flavor, berry taste and juicy bite are hard to pass off and I also love the fact they add that pop of color to my blueberry dishes.
If those are all qualities that appeal to you and you don’t mind the difference in taste, then strawberries would make a great substitute for blueberries in your drinks, pastries and all sorts of meals.
Check out our strawberry extract substitutes for strawberry flavoring ideas!
- Cherries
A rich source of antioxidants and fiber, this delicious fruit is one of the best substitute of blueberries on the market. I like to have them dried and use as an alternative for currants but cherries also work well for just about any blueberry recipe, especially ones that require baking.
The sweet but slightly sour taste of cherries alongside their light red color is much different from that of the dark blue blueberries and that will definitely affect the nature of your dish, so have that in mind if you’re considering using cherries.
- Cranberries
Tangy and tart fruits can add a unique flavour to your dishes and cranberries are amazing for doing just that. This small reddish pink fruit is a great alternative to blueberries and are amazing in relishes and jams as well as sauces and all kinds of baked goods.
They would work well in blueberry recipes where a bit of tartness is needed in the dish. If you’re one of tart fruits, have a look at these cranberry substitutes.
- Grapes
Grapes are common small fruits that range in colour from crimson to green and dark purple, dark blue to even yellow with the darker varieties being the most ideal as a replacement of blueberries when it comes to their taste.
I think grapes work best in recipes that require the fresh fruits and not so much in baked treats like pies or even muffins. Use them in place of blueberries in smoothies, fruit salads and cold desserts.
- Huckleberries
These small, round and dark berries are probably the closest blueberry substitute you can get on the market. Huckleberries range in color from red to dark purple and blue with the darker variant having a much sweeter taste than the tart red ones and being the most ideal substitute for blueberries.
They also resemble blueberries and they have similar nutritional value to them as well as taste. They’re not the easiest fruit to find but if you’re looking for a substitute that’s nearly identical to blueberries, dark huckleberries are your best bet.
Substitute for blueberries FAQs
When it comes to looks, bilberries are probably the closest fruit to blueberries there are out there. It isn’t the same case when it comes to taste as they aren’t sweet but slightly acidic. Tastewise, dark huckleberries are the closest fruit to blueberries.
Frozen blueberries whirled with some milk and honey make for some of the loveliest smoothies, but you can also use huckleberries or even blackberries as a blueberry substitute in smoothies instead.
I personally think huckleberries and blackberries work excellently well blended with some coconut milk, toasted sweetened coconuts and a sweetener (like honey) to make a smoothie.
If you’re not the biggest fan of coconuts, here are some alternatives to coconuts that might suffice.
Packed with a host of vitamins and antioxidants, blackberries and bilberries are dark fruits that have similar nutritional value to blueberries.
BOTTOM LINE: Blueberries are awesome fruits you can have just about anyhow, adding nutritional value to your dishes. If their flavour doesn’t get you going or you just don’t have any handy, there are so many other fruits (especially berries) you can try.
I’d say huckleberries are the closest option out there to blueberries considering their taste and colour, but if you can’t find them, opting for either one of the other options would also be a pretty solid idea. Just pick a fruit that seems the most appealing to you and enjoy!
If you liked this article, you should also check out our list of substitutes for jicama!