Easy Strawberry Compote Recipe

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Easy Strawberry Compote Recipe is a quick and easy recipe that can be put together in 15 minutes and is so versatile. It’s the perfect sauce or topping for any dessert. Some folks refer to it as strawberry coulis and it does have similarities. Just use three ingredients and additions and substitutions till your heart’s content.

We’ll show you how to make homemade strawberry sauce. The steps to make it homemade are as easy as can be.

strawberry compote recipe in jar

What is Strawberry Compote?

Strawberry compote is a sweetened sauce that is made from chunks or whole pieces of fruit. It’s usually cooked low and slow and can be served with a variety of dishes. The great thing about strawberry compote is it’s so versatile.

What’s the Difference Between Jelly and Fruit Compote?

Here’s a breakdown of the difference between jams, jellies, and fruit compotes. Fruit compote has a lesser amount of sugar and is intended to be consumed right away. Whereas jelly has a greater amount of sugar for preservation purposes and can be canned and stored in its fresh form for longer lengths of time.

The consistency between jelly and fruit compote is typically different as well. Jelly usually has a smooth consistency because the fruit has been blended or processed in a food processor and in some cases strained completely. But fruit compote includes chunks or whole fruit.

What is the Difference Between Compote and Jam?

The main difference between compote and jam is the sugar content and the use of gelatin. Jam has a greater sugar content because sugar is used as a preservation ingredient for jam. Jam can be canned, and some recipes can be frozen for length of shelf life.

Jam also uses gelatin as a thickening agent. But compote doesn’t. If you prefer a thicker compote, a small amount of cornstarch can be added before the mixture is boiled.

Both compote and jam use chunks of fruit or whole fruit pieces.

Compotes have bigger pieces of fruit, are not canned, have less sugar than jam.

Tasty Additions and Substitutions

The great thing about strawberry compote is that it’s so versatile. Here are some additions and substitutions that you might like to try.

Balsamic Vinegar. Add a tart flavor to your strawberry compote recipe by adding a teaspoon or two of balsamic vinegar to the mix.

Lemon Juice. Compensate for the sweet flavor by adding a bit of lemon juice to your recipe. It makes strawberry compote taste delicious.

Red Wine. When using red wine in your strawberry compote, the alcohol will evaporate as the recipe boils, but the flavor remains. So, if you were wondering can I add liquor to my compote? The answer is yes.

Orange or Lemon Zest. If you like a bit of zip to your strawberry compote flavor, just add a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest.

Fresh Grated Ginger. Fresh grated ginger adds another flavor component that many people like. To know how to peel fresh ginger, see our post here.

Mixed Berries. Change things up a bit by mixing in some other flavors of berries along with the strawberries. Red raspberries help keep the bold red color of the compote while adding a hint of tartness to the flavor. Black raspberries, blue berries, or most any other berries will work wonderfully in your compote recipe.

fresh strawberry compote recipe

How to Use Strawberry Compote

Now, you might be thinking, okay I’m going to make this strawberry compote recipe, but what should I serve my strawberry compote with? And the answer is there are endless ways to serve strawberry sauce with so many delicious serving suggestions. Here are a few ideas:

Ice cream. Serve it on top of your ice cream to make it like an ice cream sundae topping. There are endless uses for strawberry topping!

Cake or cupcakes. Serve it on top or inside of cakes and cupcakes.

Cheesecake. Drizzle it on top of a slice of fresh homemade cheesecake.

Scones. Serve strawberry compote as a side of dipping sauce next to your scones.

Yogurt and granola. Make a yogurt and granola parfait and serve strawberry compote as one of the parfait layers.

Crackers and cheese. Strawberry compote goes deliciously with a spread of crackers and cheese.  

Popsicles. When making your favorite popsicles, consider adding strawberry compote to give a variety of flavor interest as well as color.

Smoothie toppings. Make your favorite smoothie and drizzle some compote over the top before serving.

Pancakes, waffles, and crepes. Pancakes, waffles, and crepes make the perfect base for eating some fresh compote.

Angel food cake. A homemade angel food cake, or even a store bought one for that matter, makes a delicious foundation for some strawberry compote.

Biscuits. Use strawberry compote served over fresh homemade biscuits and top it with whipped cream to make strawberry shortcake that’s so delicious.

How to Store and Freeze Strawberry Compote Recipe

How do I store my compote? There are two main ways strawberry compote recipe can be stored. That is either in the refrigerator or in the freezer. It’s not made to be canned.

strawberries for strawberry compote recipe

How to Store Strawberry Compote Recipe in the Refrigerator

When storing strawberry compote recipe in the refrigerator, place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. There are no preservatives in this recipe, so it’s best when eaten fresh.

We recommend using a clean utensil when serving strawberry compote from its storage container.

How to Store Strawberry Compote Recipe in the Freezer

Strawberry compote recipe should be cooled before freezing. Then place in an airtight container or zipped freezer bag and place in the freezer. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

And, if you prefer your compote served warm, you can even store, freeze, and reheat. Just place it in a saucepan over low heat and stir until heated through.

Baker’s Tips for Making the Perfect Strawberry Compote Recipe

Following are our top four tips for the perfect outcome for this recipe.

Simmer gently. You’ll want to allow the mixture to simmer gently. If it begins to boil rapidly, decrease the heat to a gentle simmer.

Consistency can be customized. If you prefer a whole fruit compote, chunky compote, or smoother compote, the beauty of making it yourself is that it can be customized for the consistency that you like best.

Any berry. Use any berry you like. We’re using strawberries, but most any kind of berry will work.

Thicker. If you feel that your compote is too runny and you’d like to thicken it, just add a tablespoon of cornstarch, and stir it until it’s smooth, if you want it thicker.

3 Reasons Why We Love This Recipe

Here are three reasons why you’ll love this homemade strawberry topping recipe.

All-Natural Ingredients. Part of what makes this recipe so good is that it’s made from all natural ingredients. There is nothing artificial and it’s all fresh.

Easy To Make. The recipe is really easy to make. You can whip it up in 10 minutes from start to finish.

Fool-Proof Recipe. We think this recipe is fool proof because it doesn’t require a lot of baking skills to pull it off. And even a kid could do it.

strawberry compote recipe basket

Strawberry Compote Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this recipe.

1 pound fresh strawberries
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice

How to Make Strawberry Compote:

Here’s our step-by-step tutorial instructions for how to make the perfect strawberry compote recipe.

Step 1: Prepare Your Fruit

Begin by preparing your fruit. This includes washing the strawberries in cool water, allowing them to drain, and removing the hulls from each berry.

To learn more about what it means to hull a strawberry, see our post here. After your fruit has been prepared, you’re ready to begin creating the mixture.

Step 2: Add Sugar & Lemon Juice

Cut your strawberries into the desired bite sized pieces, then add them to a saucepan. Place over medium to low heat. Add the sugar and the lemon juice and stir until mixed well.

Step 3: Cook for 10 Minutes

Cook the mixture for 10 minutes over a low simmer. Cooking the strawberries brings out the juices and makes the flavor wonderful.  Remove from heat and serve warm, or cool in the refrigerator first if desired. Enjoy.

strawberry compote recipe in basket
strawberry compote recipe in basket

Frequently Asked Questions

Following are frequently asked questions for strawberry compote recipe.If you have a question that’s not asked here, just drop it in the comments box below and we’ll be happy to respond.

What is compote made of?

Our strawberry compote recipe is made from strawberries, sugar, and orange juice. But you can make compote using most any kind of berry and many kinds of fruit.

What makes something a compote?

A compote is traditionally a sugar syrup that contains whole fruit or chunks of fruit. It’s cooked slowly and is usually eaten right away.

How long will strawberry compote last?

Our guess is that your strawberry compote won’t last long. Not that you can’t store it, but that it’s so delicious that those who gather around your table will want to eat it right away and you won’t have any leftovers.

If you’re fortunate enough to have leftovers, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to three months.

Is strawberry compote the same as jam?

No, compote and jam are different in that compote contains less sugar and is intended to be eaten right away. Whereas jam contains more sugar and is intended to be canned or preserved to be eaten in the future.

What is the difference between strawberry compote and strawberry sauce?

The difference between strawberry compote and strawberry sauce is mainly in its name. The two are interchangeable as far as functionality is concerned. Strawberry sauce is sometimes thickened but strawberry compote can be too, if desired.

What is the difference between coulis and compote?

Coulis is typically made from smooth fruit. It’s been processed in a blender or a food processor before it’s cooked. And compote is usually made from whole fruit or fruit chunks.

How do you thicken compote?

How do you thicken strawberry sauce? Compote can be made without a thickener. But if you prefer a thickened compote, just use a bit of cornstarch, and boil the mixture until it’s thickened.

Is this recipe appropriate for canning?

No, there is not enough sugar in this recipe to preserve the fruit for canning.

Can I add my own ingredients or make substitutions?

Sure, feel free to customize the ingredients to your liking.

What other kinds of fruit compote can I make?

There are many kinds of fruit that make a delicious compote, for example we think raspberries, blueberries, peaches, black raspberries, mangoes, and blackberries all make a tasty compote.

Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar to make compote?

Yes, brown sugar can be used instead of white sugar to make a compote. However, the color and texture of the strawberry compote recipe will vary slightly, than if white sugar is used.

Do you serve compote hot or cold?

Strawberry compote is delicious when served either hot or cold. The temperature it’s served at is a matter of personal preference.

Special Diets

Below is the information about special diets as they relate to this recipe.

Gluten Free

This strawberry compote recipe is naturally gluten free.

Vegan

The ingredients used in this recipe are naturally vegan. Just confirm that the sugar that you use is vegan friendly.

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Sarah
Sarah is known for her extra fancy yeast breads, melt in your mouth pies, and everything salads. She has won awards as a home cook, and is passionate about helping others feel smarter in the kitchen. Sarah is the cooking genius of the sister duo.

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