What Can You Do With Old Blackberries? Make Blackberry Vinegar!

If you are like me, some weeks fruit seems to get eaten in 2 hours, and some weeks no one in your family wants to touch it and it goes bad. Well, before your blackberries or other fruit go back, utilize them! Making blackberry vinegar is a super easy way to preserve those precious berries and reduce kitchen waste.

purple blackberry vinegar in clear pour bottle

Of course, you should not use moldy blackberries in this recipe. But if you have a few that are mushy that no one wants to touch, or if you are blessed with a blackberry bush and looking for ways to preserve it, blackberry vinegar is probably one of the easiest things you can do.

A sweet and tangy way to preserve your blackberries to use for years to come!

Blackberry Vinegar Recipe

Blackberry Vinegar Ingredients

6 oz. blackberries (a regular small carton from the store). These should be organic, as the natural microorganisms are what help the fermentation process.
1.5 cups apple cider vinegar*
Pint Jar
Funnel
Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth

*You can substitute apple cider vinegar for white wine vinegar or regular white vinegar. I just think the ACV compliments berry flavors best!

Blackberry Vinegar Instructions

Fill the pint jar to the top with berries.
Cover berries completely. You can even use a fermenting weight if you’d like to ensure the berries stay submerged. If you want, you can muddle the blackberries a bit to release more juices.
Tightly cover your jar and let sit for 1-2 weeks.
Strain with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into your chosen container. Be sure to strain out any particles to prolong shelf life.
Use and enjoy!

hand putting blackberries into mason jar — Place Blackberries in Jar

poring apple cider vinegar over blackberries — Place Blackberries in Jar

How can you use blackberry vinegar?

You can use it to make a vinaigrette for salad dressing, over cream cheese for a charcuterie snack, or even in a cordial. You can use it in place of balsamic in many recipes as well.

Blackberry Vinegar Storage and Shelf Life

Store blackberry vinegar in a dark, cool space. This vinegar will last 3-5 years on the shelf. It likely won’t go “bad,” but will lose its quality and flavor. Some people say it will have a shorter shelf life, so use your best judgment. If it looks or smells bad, please discard it.