This easy Strawberry Sauce Recipe comes together with two basic ingredients and provides the option to add lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla for more depth and a brighter taste. Nailing the perfect balance of sweet and fruity flavors, it’s a must-make for strawberry lovers and couldn’t be easier to prepare. One taste and you’ll never go back to store-bought options again!
The Best Homemade Strawberry Sauce Recipe
This strawberry fruit sauce is hands down the best you’ll ever taste. It nails the perfect balance of sweet, fruity flavors without being overpowering, using simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Plus, it’s way better than anything you’ll find in the store!
The brightness of the sauce makes it the perfect addition to rich desserts like strawberry cheesecake, but it’s equally as delicious served with pancakes or even buttermilk biscuits. I prefer a chunkier consistency, but you can easily blend the mixture into a smooth puree. Either way, you’ll be adding this sauce to everything!
More Delicious Strawberry Recipes
- Strawberry Crisp Cheesecake
- Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
- Homemade Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
Recipe Ingredients
Strawberries: The star ingredient! I prefer to use fresh strawberries for a stronger fruity flavor, but frozen strawberries also work.
Sugar: Granulated sugar dissolves seamlessly into the sauce enhancing the natural sweetness of the strawberries. Feel free to add more than the recipe calls for if you have a strong sweet tooth like me.
Lemon Juice and Zest: This is optional. However, the acidity helps balance some of the sweetness of the sauce. It also activates pectin in the berries, which helps the sauce thicken and firm up a bit so it doesn’t run all over the place.
Vanilla Extract: This adds extra depth to the sauce, infusing it with sweet vanilla flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Sauce
Step 1. Prepare the strawberries. If using fresh strawberries, wash and hull them. If using frozen strawberries, you can use them directly without thawing. Whichever you choose, be sure to slice the berries into small pieces.
Step 2. Cook the strawberries. In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice (if using). Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally. After a few minutes, the strawberries will begin to release their juices.
Step 3. Simmer. Let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, the strawberries should break down, and the sauce will thicken slightly.
Step 4. Blend (if desired). If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender. Or, transfer the mixture to a regular blender, and puree until smooth.
Step 5. Finish. Let the sauce cool slightly, and serve right away or store it for later. Enjoy!
Ways to Use
There are endless ways to use this homemade strawberry sauce recipe. However, if you’re looking for inspiration, I love it with:
- Yogurt or oatmeal bowls
- Strawberry crisp cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake, or plain cheesecake
- Buttermilk pancakes and waffles
- Ice cream
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between strawberry sauce and jam?
The main difference is that jam has more sugar and a thicker consistency while strawberry sauce is thinner and often contains less sugar. As a result, it’s easier to mix into various foods or use as a drizzle topping.
Can I store leftover strawberry fruit sauce?
Yes, once cool, you can transfer leftover sauce to an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week. Then, enjoy it cold, or warm it up slightly before using.
Can I freeze homemade strawberry sauce?
Yes! You can freeze cooled strawberry fruit sauce for up to 2-3 months. Just make sure to leave room in the top of your container as it will expand as it freezes. To serve, thaw in the fridge overnight.
More Delicious Fruit-Filled Recipes
- The Best Passionfruit Cheesecake Recipe
- The Best Mango Cheesecake Recipe
- Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Recipe
- Blueberry Cookies
- Easy Blueberry Biscuits Recipe
- Lemon Ice Box Pie with Honey Graham Cracker Crust
I hope you love this Homemade Strawberry Sauce Recipe! It is sweet, fruity, and absolutely delicious! If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @butterloveandsalt on Instagram. Your reviews help support Butter, Love & Salt and make it possible for me to continue to create delicious recipes.
Homemade Strawberry Sauce (5 Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh or frozen strawberries
- 3 tbsp sugar adjust to taste
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice optional
- 1/2 tsp of lemon zest optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- First, prepare the strawberries. If using fresh strawberries, wash and hull them. If using frozen, you can use them directly without thawing. Slice the strawberries into small pieces.
- Next, in a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice and vanilla (if using). Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally. After a few minutes, the strawberries will begin to release their juices.
- Let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The strawberries should break down, and the sauce will thicken slightly.
- Optional: If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a regular blender and puree it until smooth.
- Let the sauce cool slightly before serving and use as a topping.
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