Berries on the BBQ

Sweet, juicy and packed with summer flavour, berries are already a seasonal favourite. But throw them on the barbecue and they transform – becoming smoky, caramelised and deeply fragrant. Whether grown at home or picked up fresh from the shops, berries shine when paired with flame. 

“Heat plus sugar equals caramelisation – and the BBQ is where berries truly glow.” 

This guide takes you from growing to barbecuing to serving, with simple ways to enjoy berries all summer long. 

Growing your own berries 

If you’d like to harvest your own berries for the BBQ, the good news is even small gardens – or balconies – can produce a brilliant summer crop. 

• Best berries for NZ home gardens 
• Strawberries – thrive in pots, hanging baskets, and raised beds. 
• Raspberries – great for slightly larger spaces; produce heavily in summer. 
• Blueberries – ideal for big pots; love acidic soil. 
• Blackberries / boysenberries – vigorous growers; great for hedges or trellises. Just make sure you keep them in check so they don’t run wild. 

Planting tips 

• Sun: At least 6 hours per day. 
• Soil: Well-drained, rich in compost. 
• Spacing: Don’t crowd plants and use pea straw around the base – airflow helps prevent mould and mildew. 
• Watering: Even, regular moisture (especially for strawberries). 
• Protection: Netting helps keep birds off your crop. 

Growing your own berries lets you pick them at peak ripeness – firm, sweet, and perfect for grilling. 

How to grill berries 

Grilling berries is fast, simple and high-impact. 

BBQ basics 

Preheat to medium 

Oil the grill.

• Use skewers or a BBQ foil tray for small berries.
• Brush lightly with oil, honey, or balsamic glaze.
• Grill 2–3 minutes per side.

Tip: When a BBQ plate isn’t available, use a foil tray for blueberries, raspberries and blackberries – they’ll otherwise slip through the grill. 

BBQ berry recipes 

Now for the fun part – putting your berries to work. These recipes highlight just how versatile berries can be on the barbecue, from drinks to salads to desserts. 

BBQ strawberry Margarita 

Recipe by Food52

Smoky grilled strawberries blended with lime, tequila and Cointreau. Shake over ice and garnish with a charred berry. 

Grilled strawberry and pineapple mocktail 

Recipe by Big Green Egg

Caramelised fruit muddled with coconut water and mint. Fresh, bright and family-friendly. 

Balsamic-honey grilled strawberries 

• Toss strawberries in balsamic vinegar, honey and black pepper. 
• Grill quickly. 
• Serve with burrata or goat’s cheese for a savoury-meets-sweet entrée. 

Grilled veg and berry salad with strawberry-balsamic dressing 

Recipe by Homegrown Kitchen  

Charred zucchini, capsicum and onion topped with basil and goats cheese, finished with a strawberry–balsamic dressing. Add fresh strawberries for a twist. 

Roasted strawberry BBQ sauce 

Recipe by Chasing the seasons 

A sweet-tangy strawberry glaze for chicken, pork, ribs, halloumi – or spooned over grilled veggies. 

Grilled strawberry shortcake skewers 

Recipe by Delish 

Strawberries, shortcake and marshmallows grilled until golden. Serve with whipped cream. 

Bonus idea: Grilled berry crumble foil packs 

• Add berries, a little sugar, and a sprinkle of oat crumble into foil. 
• Seal and place on the BBQ for 10 minutes. 
• A no-bake, low-effort dessert with maximum summer flavour. 

Celebrate all forms of flame-cooked berries

From garden harvests to BBQ creations, berries bring colour, sweetness and excitement to summer cooking. And if you want to take your flame-based berry adventures indoors, don’t miss our quick and easy stovetop strawberry cake cooked on a gas hob.
 
Whether on the grill or the gas hob, berries shine brightest when cooked over flame.