21 Berry Recipes - Cooking Light

Greek Yogurt with Warm Berry Sauce Recipe

Photo: Nigel Cox

Healthy Berry Recipes

Antioxidant-packed berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, contain some of the highest antioxidant levels of foods measured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Berries add sweet tartness to muffins, smoothies, jams, and more. They're at their peak from late May through August.

Frozen berries make this creamy parfait a year-round treat. Although this is dessert, there's enough protein to consider it for breakfast.

View Recipe: Greek Yogurt with Warm Berry Sauce

Photo: Grant Cornett

Pickled Onion, Blue Cheese, and Berry Salad

If you are fed up with boring salads, dine on something with a kick. This salad blends tangy Vidalia onions, sharp blue cheese, and sweet berries for a wonderfully delicious dish.

View Recipe: Pickled Onion, Blue Cheese, and Berry Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Blueberry and Blackberry Galette with Cornmeal Crust

The rich, buttery pastry dough is easy and forgiving. Simply roll it out onto parchment paper with a lightly floured rolling pin, and then use the parchment to transfer it to a baking sheet. If you're lucky enough to find wild blueberries like the ones that grow in Maine, use them in this rustic summer tart.

View Recipe: Blueberry and Blackberry Galette with Cornmeal Crust

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Toasted Barley and Berry Granola

While rolled barley flakes look nearly identical to rolled oats, they pack more fiber. Look for them in whole-food shops or supermarket bulk food bins. Serve over plain low-fat yogurt.

View Recipe: Toasted Barley and Berry Granola

Summer Berry Medley with Limoncello and Mint

Limoncello (lee-mon-CHAY-low) is a lemon-flavored liqueur from Italy's Amalfi coast. It's often savored after a meal. Store it in the freezer, and serve over ice. If you have trouble finding it, substitute an orange-flavored liqueur such as Grand Marnier. This recipe earned our Test Kitchens' highest rating.

View Recipe: Summer Berry Medley with Limoncello and Mint

Photo: William Dickey

Blackberry Smoothie

You can use any fresh or frozen berry in this shake. It's easy to take to the office in a small insulated container for a quick breakfast on the go.

View Recipe: Blackberry Smoothie

Photo: Johnny Autry

"Royal Blueberry" Gazpacho with Lemon and Mint

This twist on gazpacho is an unexpected first course, a new idea for brunch, or a great summer dessert. It is interesting enough just topped with grated lemon zest and snippets of fresh mint, or it can be topped with flake salt or finely diced honeydew and cantaloupe for drama and texture.

View Recipe: "Royal Blueberry" Gazpacho with Lemon and Mint

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Strawberry-Mint Sparkling Limeade

For a kid-friendly version, substitute 3 cups chilled club soda for the wine. When adding the wine or soda, pour slowly down the edge of the glass to tame the foam.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Mint Sparkling Limeade

Photo: John Autry

Strawberry-Avocado Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Make the chips in advance, cool completely, and store in an airtight container until ready to serve. This sweet salsa is the perfect snack-time treat.

View Recipe: Strawberry-Avocado Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Photo: Mary Britton Senseney

Strawberries, Peaches, and Basil with Orange Vinaigrette

The warm vinaigrette releases an intoxicating perfume when poured over the fresh fruit. Serve within 20 minutes of preparing for maximum flavor and optimal temperature.

View Recipe: Strawberries, Peaches, and Basil with Orange Vinaigrette

Photo: Randy Mayor

Spinach-Strawberry Salad

Use organic, locally grown strawberries in spring when you can find them. Their intensely sweet flavor, combined with the mint and vinaigrette, makes this salad sublime.

View Recipe: Spinach-Strawberry Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

Blueberry-Orange Parfaits

This easy dessert comes together in a few minutes if you purchase orange sections from the refrigerated part of the produce section. Prepare the parfaits in the morning and refrigerate, covered, for up to four hours; sprinkle with wheat germ just before serving.

View Recipe: Blueberry-Orange Parfaits

Photo: Randy Mayor

Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Pair this simple, no-cook meal with toasted buttery baguette slices.

View Recipe: Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Lemon-Scented Blueberry Cupcakes

Studded with plump, juicy, fresh berries, these cupcakes are fun for birthdays and special occasions. Lemon and blueberry flavors give these cupcakes a great taste.

View Recipe: Lemon-Scented Blueberry Cupcakes

Photo: Karry Hosford

Breakfast Polenta with Warm Berry Compote

This makes a lot of compote, so if you prefer less with your polenta, reserve some to use as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.

View Recipe: Breakfast Polenta with Warm Berry Compote

Photo: Randy Mayor

Raspberry-Cream Cheese Muffins

Serve these muffins for breakfast and your family will be begging for more. We love the combination of cream cheese and tart raspberries.

View Recipe: Raspberry-Cream Cheese Muffins

Photo: Karry Hosford

Raspberry-Asparagus Medley

Serve this unusual side dish on a bed of greens or with pork tenderloin flavored with balsamic vinegar, rosemary, and garlic.

View Recipe: Raspberry-Asparagus Medley

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcakes

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcakes pairs citrus-spiked strawberries with tender buttermilk shortcakes. You won't be able to get enough of this delicious early spring dessert.

View Recipe: Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcakes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mesclun with Berries and Sweet Spiced Almonds

Raspberries add bright color and several good-for-you nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. Almonds are a good source of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats. Chives, members of the onion family, add phenols and flavonoids.

View Recipe: Mesclun with Berries and Sweet Spiced Almonds

Photo: Randy Mayor

Gingered Blueberry Shortcake

Crumbly shortbread and homemade whipped cream elevate a simple berry to a memorably indulgent treat. The components of this dish can be made in advance, then assembled just before serving.

View Recipe: Gingered Blueberry Shortcake

Photo: Randy Mayor

Waffles with Two-Berry Syrup

Wheat germ and flaxseed are the ingredients that give these waffles a wonderfully nutty flavor and crunchy texture. But it's the syrup, laced with maple and two kinds of berries, that elevates this breakfast to the sublime.

View Recipe: Waffles with Two-Berry Syrup