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Blueberries bring a fresh approach to savory dishes, answering the call for both flavor complexity along with surprise and delight. “Blueberries introduce intensity of flavor and color to savory applications,” says Jason K. Morse, a Denver-based chef who owns 5280 Culinary, a line of barbecue products, and who is the national spokesman and grill expert for Ace Hardware. “They’re also unexpected, so they dial up menu interest significantly.”
Morse relies on blueberries in everything from barbecue slaws and burger glazes to brines and chutneys. “Blueberries are rich, sweet-tart and wonderful, making them a great counterpoint in dishes that are heavy in spice, heat or big, savory flavors,” he says.
Turn Up Modern Heat
This Blueberry Jerk BBQ Sauce exemplifies the trend in modern heat. “Hot sauces don’t need to blow your eyeballs out,” says Morse. “The jerk seasoning here is a great underlying flavor, but the other ingredients—especially the blueberries—lend the sauce balance and depth. Butter also gives it that all-important shine.”
For the recipe, he combines bacon, onion, garlic, blueberry juice, dried blueberries, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, dark brown sugar, dark balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, butter, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and jerk paste.
USHBC Using blueberry juice and dried blueberries, Morse softens the heat from jerk seasoning in his barbecue sauce, demonstrating how blueberries work beautifully as a balancing ingredient.
Uses for Blueberry Jerk BBQ Sauce:
- ribs
- meatballs
- wings
- burgers
- smoked chicken thighs
The greatest growth of blueberries on savory menus is found in the casual dining segment, UP 27% in the past 4 years.*
Build a Trend-forward Condiment
The evolution of global mash-ups has brought modern foodservice to the eclectic build, where chefs can reach into ethnic pantries and meld different flavors into anything that tastes wonderful—it’s the hallmark of New American cuisine, and leads to exciting menu innovation.
Morse builds an eclectic chutney, pulling the Indian condiment into a Mexican taco while bridging it with American ingredients.
The resulting Blueberry Ginger Chutney is creative, delicious and unique. It includes dried, sweetened blueberries, ginger, white balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, brown sugar, Chinese five spice, golden raisins, dried cilantro, white pepper, olive oil, corn starch and onion.
“My goal was to spin the Indian chutney, using blueberries for their richness and color,” says Morse. “You get a good punch from the vinegars, onion and garlic, and the blueberries add brightness—they’re surprising, which goes a long way today.”
USHBC Morse’s Pork Street Tacos star pulled pork, pickled vegetables, Cotija cheese and blueberry ginger chutney.
Uses for Blueberry Ginger Chutney:
- tacos
- charcuterie plate
- cheese board
- sandwich spread
- grilled chicken topper
Blueberry menu applications in savory entrées and appetizers are UP a whopping 51% since 2008.*
Let Your Brine Shine
Morse turns to blueberries to make a standout savory brine for beef, pork or chicken. He combines thawed frozen blueberries with water, salt, pepper, granulated garlic, dark brown sugar, ketchup, balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, allspice, juniper, dried blueberries and root beer. For a boozy twist, try an alcoholic root beer instead.
This Blueberry Root Beer Brine adds unexpected complexity and sweet-savory flavor to grilled proteins.
For more savory menu solutions that maximize blueberries, visit www.PositivelyBluetiful.com.
*2018 Menu Matters Research on Blueberries & Savory Applications (Maeve Webster)
