As someone who is lives in a area with blueberry orchards and can eat their weight in blueberries, I know a little about this fruit. While I love a blueberry cobbler with ice cream, fresh blueberry pie should not be runny or gummy. The secret is to make a homemade jam and add fresh blueberries to it creating a Southern classic that you’ll be making all summer long.
Searching for a blueberry pie recipe that’s not runny? This homemade pie uses fresh ingredients like blueberries, sugar, butter, and a bit of lemon juice to make a fresh, homemade pie filling that tastes far better than store bought, and only takes a few minutes. No baking is required.
With blueberry season close at hand, it’s always great to have some blueberry recipes you can make when they are freshest. If you’re not in the mood for a pie, try adding them to blueberry streusel muffins, or make a cake with peaches and blueberries or a blueberry bundt cake, or self-saucing blueberry pudding.
If you’ve never made a fresh blueberry pie, it’s even simpler than a blueberry cobbler. You’ll cook half of your blueberries with sugar, cornstarch, salt, and water until a thick jam forms. It doesn’t take as long as making strawberry jam because it has cornstrch to help thicken in.
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After making a simple jam, you’ll pour the homemade beautiful purple filling over more fresh berries, and pour it all into a baked pie shell and you’re done! As it sits, it firms up so that when you slice it the slices stay together.
Canned pie filling always seems to be too sweet and tastes goopy. But this homemade pie filling just tastes fresh, like you just picked the blueberries. It holds together so you can serve nice and tall, picture-perfect slices to all your guests.
Thickening Fresh Blueberry Pie
When you’re making fresh blueberry pie filling, there are a few options for thickening it. Flour and cornstarch are the most commonly used, this recipe uses cornstarch. The cornstarch mixes with the liquid and makes a paste that is then distributed throughout the rest of the mixture, giving it a thick viscosity.
There’s a lot of science behind why this works, but basically, when the water and starch mix, they turn into gel, similar to gelatin. Cornstarch has very little flavor and you only need a small amount of it to create a desirable consistency, so it’s a great choice for thickening pie filling.
Since you are mixing fresh berries with the jam, you avoid that fake store bought texture and taste.
Why you’ll love this Blueberry Pie Recipe
- It’s easy to make.
- It’s scrumptious. Homemade blueberry pie filling tastes so much better than what is used in some store bought pies.
- It holds its shape well. Unlike canned pie filling, this fresh recipe isn’t sloppy and gooey. It holds together well so you get pieces of pie that stand up tall and look impressive.
Fresh Blueberry Pie Ingredients
- Blueberries – You will need at least 2 cups of fresh, and a total of 4 cups. You can use 2 cups of frozen berries for the jam filling.
- Pie crust – Use store-bought to save time, or make your own from scratch.
- Butter – Unsalted butter is fine. If you decide to use salted butter, you can omit the salt in the recipe if you prefer. However, I think a bit of extra salt compliments the berries nicely.
- Lemon juice – I highly recommend fresh lemon juice. Half a juicy lemon should make about 1 Tbsp. Don’t skip the lemon juice. It will add a fresh flavor to your pie filling and even makes the color of the filling look brighter. It also helps it thicken up and works as a preservative that helps the pie stay fresh for longer.
- Pantry Staples – baking powder, baking soda, salt, cornstarch
How to make Homemade Blueberry Pie Filling
Step 1: Bake your pie crust.
Go ahead and bake your pie crust according to the package or recipe directions. Set it aside to cool. You will need to use pie weights to keep it from puffing up.
Step 2: Make your pie filling.
Add 2 cups of berries to a saucepan along with the sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, salt, and water. Bring it to a boil, stirring constantly. After 3-4 minutes, the mixture will thicken. You should see that your spoon leaves a path on the bottom of the pan. This is how you know it’s ready.
Remove your pan from the heat, scoop the filling into a bowl, and let it cool in the freezer for 15 minutes.
How to make a Blueberry Pie: Tips for Assembling your Fresh Blueberry Pie
Place 2 cups of fresh blueberries in your pre-baked pie crust. Top with the cooled blueberry jam mixture. Smooth the surface with a knife or spatula, and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours (or overnight) to set up.
Top with whipped cream and serve!
Pro Tip: If you want pretty swirls of whipped cream or just want it to keep its form for a few day, learn how you can easily stabilize whipped cream.
Fresh Blueberry Pie Recipe Tips
- Use fresh ingredients. Homemade desserts always taste best when you use fresh ingredients, especially berries.
- If you use frozen berries for any part of this recipe, allow them to thaw on the counter, then use paper towels to soak up as much excess moisture as you can.
- If you have extra blueberries keep them fresh with tips on how to keep blueberries fresh – hint – use a vinegar wash.
Storing this Recipe for Fresh Blueberry Pie
This recipe will stay fresh on the counter for 2 days. Just cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap.
In the fridge, your blueberry pie will last up to 5 days. Cover it in the same way.
Can you freeze Blueberry Pie?
Yes, a blueberry pie can be frozen. You can freeze your pie, or freeze your leftovers, too. Wrap the pie tightly in plastic, then in foil. Finally, put it in a freezer-safe Ziploc or airtight container and store it for up to 3 months.
What to make with Blueberry Pie Filling Leftovers
Here’s a helpful tip: Blueberry pie filling isn’t just for pie! Pie filling is a really versatile baking ingredient. Here are some other ways you can use this homemade blueberry filling:
- Forget the pie crust and place it in a parfait glass and top with whipped cream.
- Blueberry handpies: Use the blueberry pie filling as a filling for homemade turnovers or hand pies – in this recipe, you can use fresh blueberries and your homemade jam instead of the apple filling.
- Blueberry cheesecake bars: Swirl the jam into the top of your cheesecake for a delicious fruit-topped cheesecake.
- Blueberry yogurt parfait: Use blueberry pie filling as a topping for a breakfast parfait. Layer vanilla yogurt, granola, and fresh berries.
- Ice cream topping: Warm up the blueberry pie filling and drizzle it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Yum!
- Blueberry oatmeal: Add a handful of fresh berries and a scoop of blueberry pie filling to a bowl of oatmeal to add flavor to your breakfast.
More Delicious Blueberry Recipes to Love
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Fresh Blueberry Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Pie Crust baked
- 4 cups blueberries
- ¾ cup sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Add 2 cups of blueberries to a saucepan with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, salt, butter and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until it thickens and a spoon leaves a path on the bottom of the pan, about 3-4 minutes. It should be thick.
- Remove from heat and let cool in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Place 2 cups of fresh blueberries in a baked pie crust. Top with cooled cooked blueberry mixture. Smooth the surface and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight.
- Top with whipped cream
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- If you use frozen berries for any part of this recipe, allow them to thaw on the counter, then use paper towels to soak up as much excess moisture as you can.
- Make sure the pie crust is completely cooled before adding the berries.
Nutrition
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Alyson J. Goroski says
This is exactly like I make my pies, I don’t prebake the piecrust, I just bake it in the bottom of the oven on top of the bottom elements. Comes out nicely baked.
Barbara Curry says
Since this pie isn’t baked, you’ll have to bake the pie crust first.
Addie says
This is perfect, simple and delicious. One of our family’s new favorites! Thanks for sharing.
Barbara Curry says
I’m so glad it has become a favorite!