Treat yourself to this scrumptious Strawberry Compote! This homemade Strawberry Sauce recipe is super quick and easy to make, and perfect for topping everything from cheesecake to pancakes ... and so much more!
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I don't know about you, but I just cannot get enough strawberries at this time of year. They're perfectly sweet and juicy, and they definitely don't last long in my house!
This homemade Strawberry Compote is one of my favorite ways to use fresh strawberries! It's the perfect way to show off the wonderful flavor of berries at their peak.
You are going to crave this yummy recipe! Compote may sound fancy, but you only need a few simple ingredients to make this cooked Strawberry Sauce, and it really is quick and easy to make.
After spending just a few minutes in the kitchen, you'll be rewarded with a mouthwatering sauce that's super versatile. Use it to top breakfast favorites (like pancakes or french toast), serve it over cheesecake, or dollop it over a bowl of vanilla ice cream ... any way you serve it, you're sure to love it!
Ready to start cooking? Keep reading for all the delicious details and lots of helpful tips!
Ingredients
You can find the ingredients for this easy fruit sauce at any grocery store! Here's what you'll need:
- Strawberries - Fresh strawberries are the star of the recipe! For the best results, use the sweetest, most flavorful berries that you can find. Frozen strawberries may also be used.
- Sugar - You'll stew the berries in a mixture of granulated sugar and water until soft.
- Lemon - Fresh lemon juice brightens up the other flavors and adds a tart element that complements the sugar.
- Salt - You'll need just a pinch of salt (I recommend using Kosher salt) to bring out all the other flavors.
This homemade Strawberry Sauce is naturally vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, and gluten free ... which means everyone at your table can enjoy it!
You'll Also Need
You'll need a medium, heavy bottomed pot to prepare the compote.
How to Make Strawberry Compote
This scrumptious fruit sauce couldn't be easier to prepare! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Prep berries. Start by hulling the strawberries (removing the stems), then cut them in half or into quarters, depending on their size (you could even cut them into Strawberry Hearts). You can also chop the berries, if you'd prefer smaller pieces.
- Combine the sugar and water. Next you'll combine the sugar and water in a medium pot. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add strawberries, lemon, and salt. Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat to medium high, then add the strawberries, lemon juice, and pinch of salt. Bring to boil.
- Simmer berries. Reduce the heat to a simmer, then cook the mixture (stirring occasionally) until the berries are tender and have released their juices. At this point, you can lightly mash the berries, or you can keep the berries whole (like I did).
And that's all there is to it ... your easy Strawberry Compote is ready to enjoy! Serve it warm or cold over ice cream, pancakes, and so much more. You'll find lots of tips below.
Tip: If you'd like to keep the berries whole (not mashed) like I did, be careful not to overcook them (or they'll fall apart). Test a strawberry to know when they're done ... they should be tender and cooked throughout.
Variations
Feel like experimenting with this basic recipe? Try one of these easy ideas:
- Mixed Fruit - Feel free to replace some of the strawberries with another fruit, such as blueberries, rhubarb, blackberries, raspberries, or even mango. Check out my Mixed Berry Compote for inspiration!
- Sugar - Substitute another sugar, such as brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup, for the granulated sugar.
- Herbs - Add extra flavor by stirring a small handful of thinly sliced herbs (such as fresh basil or mint) into the finished sauce.
- Vanilla - Mix in a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract along with the other ingredients for an extra pop of flavor.
- Without Lemon - Although this sauce contains lemon juice, it's used more to add a counterpart to the recipe's sugar, and you really can't taste it. If you don't like or don't have any lemon, feel free to leave it out.
- More Lemon Flavor - To add more lemon flavor, zest your lemon before juicing it. Then add the zest along with other ingredients. You could also add other citrus, such as lime or orange.
- Thicker Sauce - This sauce is fairly thin, however if you prefer a thicker sauce, there are a couple ways to thicken it. First, you can mash the strawberries after the sauce is finished cooking. Second, you can add a cornstarch slurry. Start by removing the Whisk together one tablespoon cornstarch with two tablespoons water, then stir in just enough of the slurry into the simmering sauce to thicken it as desired (keep in mind that it will also become thicker as it cools).
How to Use
While you can certainly enjoy this yummy sauce on its own (try adding a dollop of whipped cream, if you do), it's even better when used as a Strawberry Topping! Try serving it over:
- Ice Cream - It's so delish served over vanilla ice cream!
- Cake - Use it to top pound cake, angel food cake, and more.
- Cheesecake - The sweet berries are the perfect counterpoint to the rich cheesecake.
- Yogurt - Serve it over vanilla yogurt or use it to make a Yogurt Parfait.
- Pancakes, French Toast, or Waffles - This tasty sauce is guaranteed to make any breakfast more exciting!
- Oatmeal - Dollop over oatmeal, Overnight Oats, or Baked Oatmeal for a morning treat.
- Chia Pudding - Add a little sweetness to homemade Chia Pudding.
- Crepes - Use as a filling or topping for crepes. Try it in this Strawberry Crepes recipe!
- Scones - Serve atop a homemade scone.
- Cake Filling - Thicken the sauce with a slurry (check the Variations section for tips), then use it as a layer cake filling.
- Toast, Biscuits, or English Muffins - Spoon over buttered toast, biscuits, or English muffins.
- Shortcake - Use it to make Strawberry Shortcake!
Storage
Transfer any leftover sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for about four to five days. You may also freeze the sauce for two to three months.
Related Recipes
Looking for similar ideas? Make sure to try this Berry Compote (which uses a mixture of fresh berries) or this easy Blueberry Compote recipe next! You'll also love these mouthwatering strawberry recipes:
- Strawberry Freezer Jam
- Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Strawberry Banana Bread
- Mini Strawberry Shortcakes
- Strawberry Ice Cream Cake
- Chocolate Strawberry Parfait
- Strawberry and Cream Crepes
- Chocolate Strawberry Hearts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Compote is a sauce that's made by stewing fruit (such as blueberries, strawberries, etc.) in a mixture of sugar, water, and sometimes, other flavorings (such as cinnamon, citrus, or vanilla). It can be served cold or warm.
Strawberry Compote is made from a mixture of sugar, water, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
Compote is typically used as a topping. It's often served over cake (such as poundcake), ice cream, cheesecake, french toast, pancakes, waffles, french toast, crepes, yogurt, and more.
Fruit compote will last for about one week, depending on what kind of fruit is used to make it.
Compote is a fruit sauce that's made by stewing fruit (such as strawberries, blueberries, etc.) in a mixture of sugar, water, and other flavorings.
The word compote (or compôte in French) comes from the Latin word compositus, which means mixture. It originated in medieval Europe, where it was often served as the last course of a large meal.
Strawberry Compote
Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 pound (454 grams) strawberries, halved or quartered (depending on size)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- pinch kosher salt
Equipment
- Medium Pot (preferably with a heavy bottom)
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water in a medium pot over medium heat.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved (about 3 to 4 minutes).
- Raise the heat to medium high, then add the strawberries, lemon juice, and salt. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, stirring frequently.
- Simmer mixture until strawberries are tender and have released their juices (about 7 to 10 minutes). Do not overcook or berries will fall apart.
- Serve compote warm or chilled over ice cream, cheesecake, pancakes, and more. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Can you use frozen strawberries for the compote?