Blackberries are a common summer favorite, featured in some of our favorite drinks and desserts. Many of us remember picking blackberries as kids, coming home with purple faces and hands and very few berries in our buckets! And we were right to love them–blackberries are high in fiber, along with Vitamins C and K. The antioxidants in blackberries, known as polyphenols, are known to prevent inflammation, which reduces the risk of diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Their high fiber content helps to regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol, and can even help us control our weight. That’s a lot of benefit in a small package!
Blackberries are also important to wildlife. Brambles tend to grow in sunny areas with good air circulation, often along the tree line at the edge of forests. The young stems and berries are eaten by animals like deer and rabbits. Thorny thickets provide cover for small animals and birds, and are home to spiders and other insects. The flowers are also a favorite of pollinators, and if you are picking wild berries outdoors you may hear the thickets hum with happy bees!
After a day of berry picking, it is important to clean your blackberries as they may have dirt or small bugs that need to be washed away. Rinse your freshly picked berries in a sink of cool water and drain in a colander. Cleaned berries will only last in the refrigerator for a day or two, so if not using right away it is best to freeze or preserve them for later use.
Freezing instructions:
- Lay clean berries in a single layer on a sheet pan covered in waxed paper and freeze for several hours.
- Once frozen, placed in freezer bags or containers for convenient storage.
- Pro tip: many recipes call for 4 cups of berries, so freeze berries in 4 cup servings for easy use.
For other storage ideas, such as canning or jams, sign up for the next canning and preserving class at the county extension office.
Blackberries can be used in a variety of ways. They are frequently used in jams and desserts but can also be featured in:
- Blended in smoothies or cocktails
- Added to salads with fresh greens
- Paired with cheeses
- Cooked down into a glaze for barbecued meats
- Even a topping for pizza!
One popular way to use blackberries is in frozen desserts. Since June is National Frozen Yogurt Month, check out the recipe below for a fun summer treat.
Quick & Easy No Churn Blackberry Frozen Yogurt
(Adapted from anoregoncottage.com)
Prep: 10 minutes
Freezing: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups yogurt, preferably Greek or thicker yogurt
- 4 cups frozen blackberries
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and whirl until smooth.
- Serve immediately for soft serve.
- For a firmer, scoop-able frozen treat freeze for at least 2 hours. If the yogurt is frozen hard (like after a few days), let thaw on the counter a bit or microwave about 10 seconds for easier scooping.
Nutrition:
Calories: 44kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 0.04mg
Written by Rebecca Byerly and Elizabeth Shephard
References:
“The Small Yet Powerful Blackberry: Why You Should Eat Some Today.” Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, Cleveland Clinic, 31 Aug. 2022, health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-blackberries. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
“Wildlife Habitat Hint: Blackberry.” Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University Extension, 23 Sept. 2020, www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/wildlife-habitat-hint-blackberry/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
“Understanding Blackberries”. Texas Real Food, discover.texasrealfood.com/wild-edible-plants/wild-blackberries. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
“No Churn Easy Fruit Frozen Yogurt (Just 3 Ingredients!)”. An Oregon Cottage, Jamie Boys, 25 Jul. 2022. anoregoncottage.com/quick-and-easy-frozen-yogurt/#recipe. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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