Sweet and Tangy Strawberry Compote Recipe
This homemade strawberry compote is a luscious and versatile topping made by simmering fresh or frozen strawberries with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch to create a thick, flavorful sauce. Perfect for adorning pancakes, French toast, cheesecake, yogurt, or ice cream, it brings fresh berry goodness anytime with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: About 2 cups 1x
- Category: Topping
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberries
- 1 pound (454g) fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and sliced into halves or quarters (about 2 ½ cups once sliced)
Liquid and Sweetener
- ½ cup (120mL) water
- 3 Tablespoons (38g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ Tablespoons (22mL) lemon juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
Thickening Agent
- 1 ½ Tablespoons (15g) cornstarch
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, water, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch, stirring gently to mix the cornstarch evenly without clumps.
- Cook the Compote: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a low boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes until the liquid thickens and the strawberries soften, forming a syrupy consistency.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the compote from heat and allow it to cool slightly before using as a warm topping on items like blintzes, pancakes, or French toast. Alternatively, chill it in the refrigerator for use on cold dishes such as ice cream, yogurt, or cheesecake.
- Store Properly: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze the compote for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator before use.
Notes
- Fresh or Frozen Strawberries: Fresh berries are preferred, but frozen work well especially out of season. Do not thaw frozen strawberries before cooking; cooking time may be slightly longer due to added water from thawing.
- Other Berries: This recipe can easily be adapted to other berries such as blackberries, blueberries, or a berry mix for varied flavors.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice yields the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be substituted if necessary.
- Simmer Time Adjustments: The recipe doubles and halves well. Adjust simmer time as needed to ensure the compote thickens properly; it should coat the back of a spoon thickly when ready.
Keywords: strawberry compote, strawberry sauce, berry topping, fruit compote, homemade compote, strawberry recipe, pancake topping
