This Strawberry Compote Recipe is a sweet, bright and fruity sauce made with fresh strawberries, a bit of sugar, and a splash of lemon juice. It’s simmered until the berries soften and release their juices, creating a rich, syrupy texture. Perfect over pancakes, yogurt, or desserts, it adds a burst of fresh flavor to any dish.
What is Strawberry Compote?
Strawberry compote is a simple fruit sauce made by cooking fresh or frozen strawberries with sugar and sometimes lemon juice until the fruit softens and releases its juices. The result is a chunky, sweet-tart mixture that can be served warm or chilled.
The Best Strawberry Compote Recipe
This is the best strawberry compote recipe because it strikes the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and fresh, and it is made with just a few simple ingredients and ready in minutes. The strawberries break down into a rich, jammy sauce with just enough texture to make every bite interesting. It’s especially delicious spooned over my sour cream pound cake, where the bright berries complement the rich, buttery crumb, or drizzled on top of fluffy buttermilk pancakes for a burst of flavor in every bite. I also use this recipe to make my famous strawberry crisp cheesecake.
Ingredients
Strawberries: I prefer to use fresh strawberries for a stronger fruity flavor, but frozen strawberries also work.
Granulated 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 Zest and Juice: The acidity helps balance some of the sweetness of the sugar. It also activates pectin in the berries, which helps the mixture thicken and firm up a bit so it doesn’t run all over the place.
Vanilla Extract: This adds extra depth, infusing the compote with a delicious vanilla flavor.
How to Make Strawberry Compote
Step 1. Place the quartered strawberries in a medium saucepan and heat to medium. Add sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and lemon juice.
Step 2. Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until the juice of the compote just coats the back of the spoon, stirring frequently and scraping the sides with a rubber spatula.
Step 3. Once the strawberry compote is thicken to desired consistency, remove the compote from the heat, set aside, and let cool (it will thicken more as it cools).
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
- Mini Cheesecakes
- Lemon Pound Cake
- Cheese Danishes
- Buttermilk pancakes and waffles
- Ice cream
- Sour Cream Pound Cake
- Buttermilk Biscuits
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen strawberries for this strawberry compote recipe?
Yes, strawberry compote with frozen strawberries is definitely a thing and you can use this recipe to accomplish that. You’ll just need to adjust the cooking time a bit.
How long does this strawberry compote last?
About 1 week in the refrigerator. About 2 months in the freezer. Store in a freezer-safe container
How do I thicken up my strawberry compote?
You can cook the compote longer or thicken it with a cornstarch slurry ( 1 tbsp cool water and 1 tsp cornstarch) and simmer until thickened to your desired consistency.
How to make strawberry compote without sugar?
Sure, you can use honey or maple syrup, or leave the sugar out entirely. However, it may not look as glossy as the photo.
More Easy Recipe Toppings
- Blueberry Compote
- Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- Easy Cream Cheese Frosting
- Lemon Whipped Cream
- Maple Whipped Cream
- Easy Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe
- Lime Whipped Cream
I hope you love this Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe! It is fruity, bright, and absolutely delicious, ideal for enhancing a variety of recipes. If you 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.
How to Make Strawberry Compote
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries quartered
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar more to taste
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Place the quartered strawberries in a medium saucepan and heat to medium. Add sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Cook for about 10-15 minutes or until the juice of the compote just coats the back of the spoon, stirring frequently and scraping the sides with a rubber spatula.
- Once the strawberry compote is thicken to desired consistency, remove the compote from the heat, set aside, and let cool (it will thicken more as it cools).
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