This Blueberry Pie Filling recipe is super sweet and so easy to make. All you need is four simple ingredients to make the BEST pie filling.
The blueberry pie filling is also versatile because it can be used in so many desserts. Whether it be in a blueberry pie, blueberry crepes, or cobbler, it’s always nice to have a jar of homemade pie filling on hand.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love this Blueberry Pie Filling because it’s versatile and delicious. I can make it into a pie or serve it as a topping for dessert or breakfast. You’ll love pairing this amazing sweet treat with all your dishes.
- TASTE: This pie filling is sweet and a touch tart, bursting with juicy berries.
- TEXTURE: Smooth and syrupy, the filling has plenty of plump blueberries for the perfect texture.
- TIME: You’ll have fresh, sweet blueberry pie filling in just 15 minutes with this recipe. Buying some at the store takes longer!
- EASE: It’s so easy! Everything goes in the pan and then just wait for the filling to thicken nicely.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Fresh blueberries– Plump, juicy berries make the best pie filling. Frozen blueberries that have thawed or fresh ones work.
- Granulated sugar– Adds sweetness to counteract the tartness of the blueberries.
- Cornstarch– Thickens the pie filling so it’s syrupy and delicious.
- Water– Thins out the filling so it’s the perfect consistency.
- Lemon juice– It’s too subtle to taste, but this ingredients complements the blueberries, brightening their natural flavor.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute the cornstarch- Instead of cornstarch, you can also use arrowroot powder, potato starch, and tapioca starch to thicken the filling.
- Use different berries- You can make this recipe with cherries, raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries.
- Add butter- For added richness, add unsalted butter to this filling. Avoid salted because it will add more salt than we want in this recipe.
How to Make Blueberry Pie Filling
- Combine ingredients. Add the fresh blueberries to a saucepan along with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and water.
- Cook. Then bring the heat to medium-low and cook the ingredients for about 10-15 minutes. The sauce should begin to thicken by then.
- Can the filling if desired. If you want to can this recipe, pour the pie filling into sterilized mason jars while it’s still bubbling hot, and close the lids tightly.
Pro Tip: Make sure to sterilize your jars before adding the blueberry filling so it will last longer and be safe to eat.
Recipe Tips for Canning
- Sterilize. Sterilize your canning jars, lids, and rings by boiling them in a pot of water.
- Fill and cover. Carefully fill the jars with the hot mixture, leaving an inch of headspace and removing air bubbles. Then place the lids on tightly.
- Process. Process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and then store it. It will last for at least 3 months, but usually longer.
FAQs
Cornstarch or tapioca starch make the best thickeners for a blueberry pie recipe because the acid in the fruit doesn’t break it down so it thickens nicely.
If you find your blueberry pie filling is a little thin or runny, try tapioca starch. This is a good old-fashioned thickener that really firms up the pie filling.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade Blueberry Pie Filling is sweet and thick with juicy berries throughout. It tastes amazing with ice cream, pastries, cakes, and pies.
- Ice Cream: Bake this filling in a Homemade Pie Crust and serve it alongside some No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream, Easy Ube Ice Cream, or Honeydew Melon Sorbet.
- Pies/Cobblers: Pair it with other pies, such as this Homemade Apple Pie, Perfect Peach Pie, Cherry Cobbler, or Chocolate Cream Pie.
- Pastries: Enjoy it with a Pear Tart, Peach Galette, Easy Raspberry Cheese Danish, or Peach Crisp.
- Cakes: Serve this Blueberry Pie Filling with a slice of New York Style Cheesecake, Pumpkin Cake, Lemon Pound Cake (VIDEO), or Berry Chantilly Cake.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: This recipe is perfect for making ahead as you can put the filling in sterilized jars to keep it fresh.
Storing: An opened can of pie filling can store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator if kept wrapped or in an airtight container.
Freeze: Fill half a gallon-sized plastic ziplock bag with the blueberry pie filling and squeeze the air out. Then close it shut tightly. Lay it flat and freeze for up to 6 months.
More Scrumptious Pies and Cobblers!
Full Recipe Instructions
Blueberry Pie Filling
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add 3 1/2 cups fresh blueberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Stir just to combine.
- Cook the blueberries over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes or until it begins to thicken. Remove it from heat and let it cool down. Store in airtight glass jars.
Notes
- Canning: Sterilize- Sterilize your canning jars, lids, and rings by boiling them in a pot of water. Fill and cover- Carefully fill the jars with the hot filling, leaving an inch of headspace and removing air bubbles. Then place the lids on tightly. Process- Process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and then store it. It will last for at least 3 months, but usually longer.
- Fridge: An opened can of pie filling can store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator if kept wrapped or closed tightly.
- Freezer: Fill half a gallon-sized plastic ziplock bag with the blueberry pie filling and squeeze the air out. Then close it shut tightly. Lay it flat and freeze for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
Ps: This recipe was originally posted on Sep 4, 2015, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
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Carolyn C. says
I made this using frozen blueberries. I didn’t use any water. The result is incredibly wet. More like juice with blueberries floating in it…
Dina says
Hi Carolyn, I am sorry to hear that. Since there is extra water from the blueberries being frozen, you could try increasing the amount of cornstarch to thicken it up.
Tammy says
Love this recipe but I do cut back on sugar a little. Blueberries are sweet enough 💞
Dina says
Thank you for the honest feedback Tammy 🙂
Linda Luth says
I have 2cans12oz blueberries dated 2017. Is there any chance I can still use them? or should I dispose of them? Please help. Thanks
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Linda 🙂 In general, I would not recommend using anything that is expired. I hope you get a chance to try this recipe 🙂
Aric Jon Armstrong says
thanks, a real help
simplyhomecooked says
You are very welcome 🙂
Lynda Destounis says
If you add minute tapioca just a pinch to the bottom crust it should thicken your pie. I do that all the time with my apple pies if they are too juicy.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Lynda, thank you so much for your input 🙂 Occasionally I do use tapioca 🙂
Jacaroe says
I added a dash of cinnamon sugar and had to sub 1/2 tbsp white vinegar for the lemon juice. I divided the blueberries by thirds and cooked 2/3 of the berries according to the recipe. I then folded in the final third at the end after the main ingredients were cooked down and thickened. AMAZING. The most simple blueberry filling recipe I’ve seen to date. Thanks!
simplyhomecooked says
That’s awesome Jacare! I am glad to hear you enjoyed this blueberry pie filling recipe.
Sue says
Does anyone know if when using this recipe does the filling get runny after canning it then baking in a pie shell?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Sue, if the pie filling is too runny for you, you are welcome to add more cornstarch. But it might have a gritty texture. I hope that helps 🙂
Judith Doran says
I followed the directions exactly, and found one teaspoon of cornstarch really didn’t do the trick, even when I let it cook longer. Could it be that the recipe has a mistake?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Judith, the pie filling shouldn’t be super thick. If you want it thicker, you can add more cornstarch but it might become grainy. I hope that helps.
Pamela Herrington says
LOVE THIS RECIPE!!!!!!
I used Splenda in place of the sugar and it turned out awesome!!!
simplyhomecooked says
I am happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, Pamela! Thank you for the kind feedback 🙂
Pam Herrington says
You are welcome! I love it so much I made Blueberry turnovers using this recipe and put up 6 containers in the freezer. Will be making more as soon as I pick more blueberries.
simplyhomecooked says
Blueberry turnovers sound so yummy! Thanks for sharing that Pam. I will have to try that soon 🙂
Heidi says
I just want to know if I can use it on a backend pie crust the recipe sounds good so I will make it. Thanks
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Heidi, do you mean baked pie crust? If so, the answer it yes 🙂
M Geiger says
I used your recipe in place of the strawberries in strawberry shortcake. It was delicious! Thanks for posting!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Monica Geiger, I am so glad you enjoyed my blueberry pie filling recipe! Thank you so much for your kind feedback 🙂 I hope you enjoy more recipes from my blog!
Sandra Morrissey says
I want to use for cheesecake topping. I will need to add a little more cornstarch but will it make it cloudy???
simplyhomecooked says
Hey Sandra, I would add a little at a time. If you add a tad bit more I don’t think it will make it cloudy.
Elaine Williams says
I usually add cinnamon to my filling, does that sound right. I have a son that can’t take nutmeg!
Christina Johnson says
I love this recipe. I have substituted cherries and other fruit. After I have made my pie, if I have leftover filling I simply put the cooled filling into a freezer bag (ziploc) and lay it flat in the freezer. It tales no time to thaw when I want to use it again and I just bake as usual.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you for leaving such awesome feedback Christina! I love that you found this recipe so versatile 🙂
Paula Countryman says
Just substitute 1/2 Tbs cornstarch for the 1/2 tsp cornstarch in original recipe and it will be thick. Great recipe either way.
Sam says
Hi
Do you know How long does it take to set?
Is it thick enough to use as a cake filling?
Thanks
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Sam, It takes about 15 minutes to cook. The consistency will be a little runnier than the canned kind of blueberry pie filling. I’ve never tried using it as a cake filling so I’m not too sure how it would set in the cake.
Valerie Ash says
Hi, im making it right now but im using frozen blueberries and 3 tsp of flour instead of corn starch cuz we dont have any, it tastes great so far. I’m gonna be lazy and use biscuit mix for the crust. I’ve spent the past 6 hours making pot pies so a blueberry pie just seemed like the next step
simplyhomecooked says
Let me know how the finished filling tastes Valerie 🙂
Valerie Ash says
It was awsome! I, my fiance, and his sister downed the whole thing in record time lol
simplyhomecooked says
Haha I’m so glad to hear they enjoyed it that much! 🙂 Thanks for leaving such kind feedback Valerie.
Karen B says
I made this recipe,last night. It tastes wonderful, but never really thickened. I wanted to use it for hand pies, but it was too runny. Waffles are on the menu thus morning, so it will be eaten, but any ideas on how to make it thicker next time? I followed the directions exactly, and even gave it two more minutes on the stove. Thank you. Karen B.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Karen, I’m not too sure how thick you want the pie filling, but if you add a little more corn starch it will thicken more. Start by adding about 1/2 a tablespoon.
Kumberly says
Try xantham gum for thickening. Which you can purchase in the sugar/flour section of the grocery store. it comes in a small square flat pack, just like yeast. Directions for thickening on package. My pie turned out great!
simplyhomecooked says
Great tip Kumberly, thanks for sharing that 🙂
Brenda says
how would to can it? Would you need to waterbath process it or just put in clean hot jars while jam is boiling hot and seal?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Brenda, put it in clean hot mason jars and place the lids on. Then boil the closed cans in hot water for about 5 minutes to seal in the air.
Tamara says
How many ounces does this make?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Tamara, I’m not too sure. A few cups for sure.
Sylvia Wooten says
Can you freeze the filling?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Sylvia, I’m not too sure. I’ve never frozen it before.
Anna says
So is this considered Варенье, or jam?
How long does this last for? We picked a whole bunch of blueberries today and need ideas…thanks!
simplyhomecooked says
I don’t think it’s really jam or варенье. The recipe has corn starch in it so the only way I can really categorize it is “pie filling”. If you can the jam while it’s hot and bubbling, it will last for a really long time. If you prefer to refrigerate it, it should last about 2 weeks.