8 Tips to Reduce Food Waste Using Berries

It happens - you buy fresh produce, and due to time constraints or just life, you forget to use it. Before you compost berries past their prime, take to the kitchen and challenge yourself to give new life to older produce. 

Cut down on waste and get more enjoyment from your berries, try these eight easy tricks:

1. Make a smoothie! 

Espresso, blueberry and peanut butter smoothies, blackberry pineapple smoothies, green smoothies… When it comes to berry smoothies, the possibilities are endless! Mix leftover berries with a variety of flavor profiles, including leafy greens for added nutrients or chocolate for a sweet treat. Want even more smoothie inspiration? Visit our smoothie recipes section! 

2. Make a Cocktail (or Mocktail!)

Berries elevate cocktails. Whether you're in the mood for a Blueberry Basil Bellini or want to try your hand at recreating the much-loved Starbucks Berry Refresher with our dupe recipe, we have the berry best collection of drinks for you to make!  Not sure what drink you'd like to make with your berries? Start with our fan favorite, the Easy Strawberry Jalapeno Margarita! 

3. Add Berries to Your Salads

Go savory (or sweet) with your berries and add them to a salad! Try strawberries with goat cheese and a mild lettuce like Bibb, or enjoy blueberries two ways with our Almond & Blueberry Salad with Blueberry Muffin Croutons and Fresh Blueberries with a Lemon and Honey Vinaigrette dressing. For even more berry salad inspiration, visit our delicious collection of salads.

4. Chips and Berry Salsa, Anyone? 

We’ve all heard of mango salsa, but have you ever tried Blueberry Jicama Mango Salsa? What about Strawberry Jalapeno Salsa? There are so many delicious combinations that will add a unique twist to your next taco night, so get creative with your food processor and enhance your homemade salsas! 

5. Get Sauce-y

Have you ever had Strawberry and Snow Pea Spring Rolls with Strawberry Sweet and Sour Sauce? What about Roasted Salmon with Strawberry Crème Fraîche Sauce? Because berries have both natural sugars and acidity, they are perfect for reductions, glazes, and sauces! Match them with your favorite foods and see your leftover berries perform in a way. 

6. Freeze them!

Sure, fresh is best, but frozen berries are better than no berries! Save them for later to use in sauces and smoothies, or simply add a few of your favorite berries to the ice cube tray for a sweet and healthy kick to your next glass of water. If you'd like a summertime treat that's sure to impress, make our Champagne Popsicles with Berries and Edible Flowers. Follow our instructions for freezing strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries for the best results!  

7. Dry them!

There’s no need for a fancy dehydrator, just your oven and some simple prep! Once dried, berries will last for a couple months (stored in an air-tight container) and are a great addition to cereals both hot and cold, trail mixes, or reconstituted later for use in sauces, smoothies. Blackberry Fruit Leather is a great kid-friendly snack that transforms overripe berries into a dried fruit snack!  

8. Get to Jammin' with Fit Mitten Kitchen 

Making jam is a classic way to preserve fresh berries. But what about making Fit Mitten Kitchen's delicious Strawberry Chia Jam that’s ready in less than 20 minutes!? With zero refined sugar, it’s a naturally sweet, tart and jammy treat to spread on toast, waffles, pancakes, or whatever you please!

Explore our recipe library for even more berry recipe inspiration!