What fruits blend well with blueberries?

Blueberries are a delicious and nutrient-dense fruit that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with other fruits in a fruit salad, smoothie, or dessert. Their sweet-tart flavor profile makes them a versatile ingredient that blends well with many other fruits. When selecting fruits to combine with blueberries, you’ll want to consider complementary flavors, textures, colors, and health benefits to create a tasty and nutritious blend.

Fruits That Complement the Flavor of Blueberries

When making a blueberry fruit combination, you’ll want to select fruits that have flavors that complement the sweet-tart taste of blueberries. Here are some top flavor pairings:

• Strawberries – This berry pairing is a classic for a reason. The sweetness of strawberries balances out the slight tang of blueberries beautifully.
• Raspberries – Like strawberries, raspberries have a sweet taste that makes them a seamless match for blueberries.
• Blackberries – The brambly flavor of blackberries is the perfect complement to juicy blueberries.
• Stone fruits like peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots – The sweetness and subtle acidity of stone fruits pair nicely with blueberries.
• Apples and pears – The crisp sweetness of apples and pears helps offset the tart blueberry taste.
• Pineapple – Pineapple’s tropical sweetness and hint of acidity balances out blueberries’ flavor profile.
• Mango – The rich, creamy sweetness of mango is fantastic with the burst of blueberry tanginess.
• Kiwi – Kiwi offers a tropical twist on blueberries with its zesty, sweet-tart flavor.

Fruits That Offer Complementary Textures to Blueberries

In addition to flavor, you’ll want to think about textures when combining fruits with blueberries. Look for fruits with crispy, creamy or smooth textures to contrast with blueberries’ soft, poppable quality.

• Apples – The crunchy texture of apples provides a nice contrast to soft blueberries.
• Pears – Similarly, pears have a dense, crisp bite that offsets blueberries’ tenderness.
• Grapes – Grapes offer a satisfying pop and crunch when paired with delicate blueberries.
• Oranges or grapefruit – Citrus fruits have a juicy, pleasantly pulpy texture next to blueberries.
• Bananas – Bananas’ smooth, creamy flesh complements the burst of blueberries.
• Mangos or peaches – The soft fibrous texture of these stone fruits contrast nicely with blueberries.
• Kiwi – Kiwis have a seedy crunch that accents the softness of blueberries.

Fruits That Provide Striking Color Contrast with Blueberries

Color is important when creating an eye-catching blueberry fruit medley. Seek out fruits in warm shades like orange, red and yellow to create appealing color contrast with blueberries’ cool purple-blue hue.

• Strawberries – Vibrant red strawberries pop against blue-hued blueberries.
• Raspberries – Like strawberries, raspberries’ bright red color looks beautiful next to blueberries.
• Watermelon – Watermelon’s pink flesh pairs perfectly with blueberries’ shade.
• Pomegranate seeds – The juicy red seeds of pomegranates add festive color contrast to blueberries.
• Cherries – The deep red tone of cherries complements blueberry’s color.
• Oranges – Orange segments look lively next to blueberries.
• Pineapple – Pineapple’s golden color looks tropical and summery with blueberries.
• Mangos – Mangos’ sunset orange flesh makes a vivid match for blueberries.
• Peaches or nectarines – The golden tone of peaches pair beautifully with blueberries.

Fruits That Boost the Nutrition of Blueberries

In addition to great flavor and appearance, you can select fruits that nutritionally complement blueberries. Choose options that boost different vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to create a healthy, well-rounded fruit blend.

• Kiwi – Provides vitamin C.
• Oranges – Great source of vitamin C and folate.
• Strawberries – Loaded with vitamin C and manganese.
• Raspberries – Supply vitamin C, manganese and fiber.
• Pineapple – Provides vitamin C, manganese and bromelain.
• Cherries – Contains antioxidants like anthocyanins and vitamin C.
• Pomegranate – Rich in vitamin C, vitamin K and antioxidants.
• Apples – Provides vitamin C, fiber, and polyphenol antioxidants.
• Grapes – Great source of vitamin K, copper and antioxidants like resveratrol.
• Peaches – Provides vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium.

The Best Fruit Combinations with Blueberries

Using the complementary criteria above, here are some of the best fruit medleys you can make with blueberries:

Fruit Combination	Why They Work Well Together
Blueberries + strawberries + mango	Strawberries have a sweet, fruity flavor that complements blueberries Mangos offer tropical notes plus creamy texture Pretty red, blue and orange colors
Blueberries + raspberries + kiwi	Raspberries taste sweet-tart like blueberries Kiwi provides vitamin C and a crunchy texture Colors are vibrant and complementary
Blueberries + peach + banana	Peaches offer subtle sweetness and acidity Bananas bring smooth, creamy texture Colors are bold and appetizing
Blueberries + blackberries + grapes	Blackberries have a familiar sweet-tart berry taste Red grapes add crunch and bold color Intense shades of blue, purple and red
Blueberries + pineapple + cherries	Pineapple has tropical sweetness and bromelain Cherries provide vitamins and pop of red Vibrant red, blue, and golden yellow colors
Blueberries + pears + orange	Pears offer crisp sweetness to balance blueberries Oranges bring vitamin C and contrasting color Bold citrus color plus blue and green tones
Blueberries + apples + pomegranate	Apples have crisp, sweet flavor that complements blueberries Pomegranates provide antioxidants and bright color Red, blue and green create appealing blend

Tips for Combining Fruits with Blueberries

Here are some helpful tips for creating tasty blueberry fruit combinations:

• Mix 3-4 types of fruit for best results. Pairing just 2 can be too simple, while 5+ may be overcomplicated.
• Cut larger fruits like apples and pears into smaller pieces so they blend better.
• Toss fruit with a squeeze of citrus juice to help prevent browning.
• Add fruits like bananas, peaches or mango that tend to brown right before serving.
• Gently fold fruit together rather than mixing harshly to avoid damaging delicate fruit.
• Combine fresh fruit within a couple days for maximum freshness and flavor.
• Consider seasonal availability when selecting complementary fruits.
• Store fruit medleys chilled in an airtight container if not serving immediately.

Serving Suggestions for Blueberry Fruit Medleys

Blueberry fruit combinations can be served:

• As is in a fresh fruit salad.
• Over yogurt, oatmeal or cereal.
• In a fruit salsa with spices to accompany fish or chicken.
• Mixed into green salads with nuts and cheeses.
• On top of tarts, galettes or crostata pastries.
• As a topper for pancakes, waffles or French toast.
• Blended into smoothies, juices or smoothie bowls.
• As a filling for crepes or blintzes.
• As a topping for cheesecake or custard desserts.
• In a fruit crisp or crumble.
• As a mixer for cocktails, sangria or mocktails.
• Inside crepes with whipped cream or ice cream for dessert.

Perfectly Paired Blueberry Fruit Salad Recipes

Here are a couple delicious fruit salad recipes featuring blueberries and complementary fruits:

Berry Cherry Fruit Salad

• 2 cups blueberries
• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 cup raspberries
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup pitted cherries, halved
• 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp minced mint

In a large bowl, gently mix together all the berries, kiwi, honey, lemon juice and mint. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Southwest Fruit Salad with Blueberries and Mango

• 2 cups blueberries
• 1 mango, cubed
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 orange, segmented
• 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro

Gently mix together the blueberries, mango, pineapple, orange segments, kiwi, lime juice, honey, chili powder and cilantro. Let chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Conclusion

Blueberries pair beautifully with many different fruits. Choosing options with complementary flavors, textures, colors and nutrients allows you to create both tasty and healthy blueberry fruit combinations. Some particularly winning duos and trios include blueberries with strawberries, raspberries, mangos, peaches, pineapple, kiwi, apples, pears, oranges and pomegranates. Experiment with mixing and matching fruits using the suggestions in this article for delicious blueberry fruit salads, smoothies, salsas and more.