Super Simple Strawberry Compote

Name: Super Simple Strawberry Compote
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb. strawberries; 3 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

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This Super Simple Strawberry Compote takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and is the perfect way to use up all those ripe berries from the garden or the farmer's market! Pair with vanilla ice cream or crunchy waffles for a tasty treat your family will love!

Two waffles drizzled with strawberry compote on a white plate

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You Will Love This

This strawberry compote recipe is basically a blueprint that you can make to use any berry compote. It's super quick and easy to throw together and it's got fresh, summer berry flavor. This compote requires no fancy kitchen gadgets or special cooking skills. If you can stir, you can make this compote!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out by Blueberry Goat Cheese Flatbread, Easy Homemade Apple Crisp, or my Puff Pastry Apple Tart.

White marble counter top with bowls of ingredients to make strawberry sauce

Ingredients and Substitutions

Strawberries - You can use fresh or frozen strawberries for this recipe, but I prefer the flavor of fresh summer strawberries. No need to thaw the frozen berries before cooking if you use frozen.
Sugar - I like to use just regular granulated sugar for this recipe. You're welcome to try other sweeteners in its place but I can't vouch for the flavor or texture.
Lemon Juice/Zest - The lemon juice and zest in this recipe helps to cuts through the sweetness and adds a little pop of freshness that I really love. You can omit the zest if you don't have a fresh lemon on hand, but I don't recommend skipping the lemon juice as the strawberry sauce will be quite sweet then.

Instructions

Add berries, sugar, lemon juice, and zest to a medium sauce pan.

Medium saucepan filled with ingredients to make strawberry compote

Stir to combine and cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally

Let cool for about 10 minutes then serve with vanilla ice cream or waffles!

Wide mouth mason jar filled with homemade strawberry sauce

Tips

The sauce should be simmering gently throughout the cooking process. If it is simmer vigorously, turn the heat down to medium low or even low. I find that with a gas stove, medium heat much hotter than with an electric stove so use your judgement. A nice gentle simmer is going to help thicken the sauce and not break down the berries too much.
The consistency of this sauce is up to you! If you want a chunky consistency, you can half the strawberries and even leave some of the smaller ones whole. If you want a smoother texture, cut the strawberries smaller and they will break down in the compote, or gently mash them as it cooks.
For extra lemon flavor, try adding 1-2 teaspoons of lemon zest! This will give you a much more fresh, lemony flavor which pairs well with vanilla ice cream. Sometimes I like add this compote to sparkling water to make a strawberry "soda" as well!
You can use whatever berry you have on hand for this recipe! I've tried it with blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries - and even a mix of all 3. Also, frozen berries work well too - but I prefer the flavor of fresh berries!
If you want a super thick compote, combine 2 teaspoons corn starch with 4 teaspoons water and add that to the pot at the beginning of the cooking process. This will give you a thicker compote.

Overhead shot of two bowls of vanilla ice cream topped with strawberry compote

Serving Suggestions

This fruit compote is incredibly versatile and I'd love to hear all the ways that you use it! I like to serve it with:

Vanilla Ice Cream - I find that it tastes best with vanilla bean ice cream; the kind that has the small flecks of vanilla in it.
Waffles - Frozen or homemade, you can't go wrong with a hearty helping of strawberry sauce on top. Add whipped cream for an extra touch!
Sparkling Water - Add a couple scoops of compote to your favorite sparkling water to make a strawberry "soda" beverage.
Cheesecake Bars - This recipe is also a delicious strawberry topping for cheesecake! Try using my easy Turtle Cheesecake Bars recipe but instead of topping them with chocolate, caramel, and nuts, try spooning strawberry compote over them for a fruity dessert option!

Store, Freeze, Reheat

Store this strawberry sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Although it probably won't last that long!
Freeze this berry compote in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter or overnight in the fridge.
Reheat strawberry sauce in a sauce pan over medium heat until warmed through. You can also enjoy it cold!

Overhead shot of a wide mouth mason jar filled with strawberry sauce

FAQ

What is compote made of?

It's basically a mixture of fruit and sugar that are cooked on the stove to form a sauce. A compote contains cooked pieces of fruit (small or large) in a sweet syrup.

What is the difference between coulis and compote?

A coulis is smooth fruit puree that is sometimes strained, while a compote is usually pieces of fruit in a sugary syrup like sauce.

How do you thicken compote?

A cornstarch slurry is a quick and easy way to thicken a compote. Add the slurry to the compote along with the other ingredients before cooking. This will allow to the slurry to slowly thicken the compote as it cooks.

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