Learn how to make Macerated Strawberries! This simple, fresh strawberry sauce takes minutes to prepare with just two ingredients, and it's so versatile. Use these delicious, sweetened berries to top desserts, yogurt, pancakes, and more!
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Ginnie's Take
These yummy Macerated Strawberries were one of my mom's go-to summer treats! I grew up eating these sweetened, syrupy berries on shortcake, ice cream, and more. They're a favorite in my home too, and I reach for this recipe anytime I need a simple strawberry sauce. It's the perfect topping for everything from desserts to breakfast dishes, and I can't wait for you to try this tasty treat!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Mouthwatering Flavor - This sweet berry sauce has the tastiest, most intense fresh strawberry flavor! A little sugar is all it takes to make peak-of-season berries taste even better, and this technique is guaranteed to perk up less-then-perfect fruit, too.
- Easy to Make - You only need two ingredients and just a few minutes to prepare this simple recipe. It really couldn't be easier to make!
- Versatile - If you're wondering what to do with fresh strawberries, this is the best recipe! You can use these sweet berries as a topping for poundcake, pancakes, oatmeal, cheesecake, and so much more. And it's easy to customize with a few simple tweaks, too. You'll find lots of ideas below!
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Ingredients
You only need two ingredients to make this recipe: granulated sugar and fresh strawberries. Choose the most flavorful berries you can find for the best results (although out-of-season berries work, too), and learn how to customize the recipe (with lemon juice, various sweeteners, and other ingredients) in the Variations section below.
These simple, sugared strawberries are vegetarian, vegan (make sure to use raw, organic, or vegan sugar), gluten free, dairy free, and nut free, so everyone gathered around your table can enjoy them!
How to Macerate Strawberries
These sweetened strawberries are super quick and easy to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below with measurements, but here's a short overview:
- Prep berries. The first thing you need to do is hull (remove the stems) and slice (or quarter) your strawberries.
- Add sugar. Mix the sliced strawberries with sugar, stirring just until the sugar coats the berries.
- Let macerate. Cover the bowl, then refrigerate the berries for at least 30 minutes, or until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Serve. Once the sugar dissolves and a sweet sauce forms, the berries are ready to serve with all your favorite recipes!
Now that you know how to sweeten strawberries the easy way, I predict you'll be making this recipe all summer long. They're are just too delicious to resist!
Variations
While I love the simplicity of this basic Macerated Strawberries recipe, it's fun and easy to customize! Here are a few ideas to try:
- More / Less Sweet - You can adjust the amount of sugar to taste (more or less), if you prefer. Just keep in mind that less sugar will yield less sauce, while more sugar will create a thicker, more syrupy sauce.
- Other Sweeteners - The granulated sugar can also be replaced with an equal amount of brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or other sweetener of your choice.
- Lemon - To add a little tang, stir in one tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Other citrus juice, such as lime or orange, will also work.
- Vinegar - You can also add vinegar to the berries for extra zip. Balsamic vinegar is a popular choice, but red wine vinegar works, too!
- Basil - Stir in a tablespoon of chopped, fresh basil just before serving for a lovely herbaceous flavor. Fresh mint would also be tasty.
- Liqueur - For an elevated twist on the recipe, add a tablespoon of Grand Marnier.
How to Use
Serve these luscious, sweetened strawberries alone (add a dollop of whipped cream), or use them as a topping for your fave desserts, snacks, and breakfasts:
- Shortcake - These berries are a classic topper for homemade strawberry shortcake.
- Cheesecake - Serve them over a slice of plain or chocolate cheesecake. They'd make a wonderful topping for this No Bake Cheesecake Tart, too!
- Cake - Drizzle this sauce over pound cake, angel food, and other baked treats.
- Trifle - The sweetened berries are the perfect addition to a layered trifle. Use them to make these Mini Berry Trifles!
- Ice Cream - Spoon the berries over vanilla ice cream for the tastiest summer treat, and use them to make sundaes. They'd make a delicious addition to an Ice Cream Sundae Bar or a Waffle Bar, too!
- Yogurt - Serve this fresh strawberry sauce over yogurt, or layer it with other ingredients to create a parfait. Try them in my Yogurt and Granola Parfait or my Chocolate Strawberry Parfait.
- Pancakes, Waffles, or French Toast - This sauce is the perfect topping for your favorite breakfast treats. I love them paired with these Strawberries and Cream Crepes, too!
- Oatmeal - Spoon the sauce over a bowl of hot oatmeal or porridge for a cozy spring / summer breakfast. You can even mix it into Overnight Oats.
Storage
Store leftover berries in an airtight container in your refrigerator. I recommend eating these strawberries within 24 hours for the best taste and texture. If you're not able to eat them that fast, they'll keep for a couple days. Just keep in mind that the berries will start to lose their bright color, and they'll get softer and mushier the longer they sit.
Related Recipes
If you loved this recipe, make sure to try my easy Strawberry Compote next! It's another sauce you're sure love. And don't miss these other fresh strawberries ideas:
- This Strawberry Freezer Jam recipe is the easiest way to enjoy this favorite fruit year round!
- Cool off with a glass of the best Strawberry Lemonade.
- Learn how to make Chocolate Covered Strawberries. It's surprisingly easy!
- Treat yourself to this homemade Strawberry Frozen Yogurt! It makes the best treat on a hot summer day.
- Wake up to this scrumptious Strawberry Baked Oatmeal! It's perfect for brunches and meal prep, too.
P.S. Check out all of my Strawberry Recipes for even more delicious ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Macerating strawberries means you are adding sugar to fresh strawberries, which draws out their natural juices. As the strawberries sit, the berries will soften, and their juices will dissolve the sugar, creating a sweet sauce.
Marcerating strawberries can take as little as 30 minutes for the freshest berries, or up to 2 hours for firmer berries. You'll know the strawberries are ready to eat when the sugar has dissolved and a sweet sauce has formed.
Fresh strawberries are best for macerating, but you can use frozen berries in a pinch. Thaw them in your refrigerator before mixing with the sugar.
Macerated strawberries taste best when eaten within a day, however you can store them in your refrigerator for a couple days. Just keep in mind that the berries will continue to soften, and they will start to lose their bright red color.
Macerated Strawberries
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 grams) strawberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Hull, then slice (or quarter) strawberries.
- Place berries in a medium bowl, then sprinkle with sugar. Mix well.
- Cover strawberries, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Serve the sweetened strawberries on their own, or over your favorite desserts, yogurt, french toast, and more. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
