Strawberry Compote (Strawberry Sauce)

Strawberry compote is a quick and easy strawberry sauce made with only 3 ingredients and 15 minutes. This is vegan and gluten-free. No pectin, no thickener.

This strawberry compote has only 3 ingredients, i.e. fresh strawberries, sugar, lemon juice. Lemon juice is an important ingredient and this keeps a balance of sweetness and adds a balanced tangy flavor. Also by adding lemon juice we can skip adding pectin. You can also add lemon zest to the strawberry sauce.

Here you can replace lemon juice with similar citrus fruit orange and add an equal amount of orange juice and some orange zest too.

In case you want to make such compote with any of the berries like cranberry, blueberry, etc. The process will remain the same.

What is a compote?

Compote is generally a chunky, fruity sauce that is cooked in sugar to reach desired consistency. This is no other than a sweet fruity sauce that can be eaten separately as a dessert or can be used as a topping in many dishes. You can call it a sauce or glaze. Though it's almost similar to those fruity jam, there is a slight difference in both.

Strawberry Compote

So strawberry compote is nothing but the sugar-infused strawberry sauce. Simmer the berries in sugar syrup, till it's a little thicker consistency, the outcome is the juicy chunky strawberry sauce. In this process, the berries release the juice during the process, thickening the sauce. So the compote is juicy, sweet, chunky berries sauce.

How can I use the strawberry sauce?

This strawberry sauce or compote is a versatile topping in fact. It can be used in numerous ways. Use this as strawberry jam and apply it on bread slices, on the rolls, pancake. You can also use this as a strawberry glaze on your cheesecake. Just pour some strawberry sauce on your cheesecake and it will do magic by enhancing the flavor.

This strawberry sauce or strawberry compote is the best topping ever for your pancakes, waffles, pudding, or even on ice cream. I was addicted to my strawberry compote in fact.

Fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries?

This one I have made with fresh seasonal strawberries. However you can also make the same instantly in any season with frozen berries too.

Is strawberry compote the same as strawberry jam?

Compote is more chunky sauce than that of the jam. Whereas jam is more smooth. The smoothness comes by blending them before/ during cooking which gives them a smooth spreadable texture. Also, jam is a little more sugary and thicker consistency.

How long does the compote last?

This strawberry compote or any homemade compote can be good for up to 2 weeks stored in the refrigerator when kept in sterilized jars. Or you can also store it in the freezer in an airtight box for 2 - 3 months. To freeze the compote, do it in batches. So that you will defrost only as much you need.

Do I need to add pectin to make this compote?

No, you can make your compote or jam without pectin. This recipe doesn't call for pectin to thicken. There is a secret formula to make your compote or jam without pectin to thicken the sauce, i.e. cook for longer on slow flame. Compote will take a little lesser time than the jam as compote is not very thick in consistency, unlike jam.

When we cook the fruit with sugar, sugar melts to syrup and the fruit or berries get slowly cooked in the syrup. And in this process, the fruit releases its moisture. So it becomes thicker when cooked slowly for a longer duration as compared to when we add pectin or other thickeners.

What are the other substitutes for pectin you can use to thicken?

Citrus fruits - Citrus fruit peels and juices are excellent sources of natural pectin. So without adding any thickener, it can thicken the sauce/ jam/ compote. You can add lemon or orange for the best results. Both fruit zest and a bit of juice will be helpful.

Corn starch - corn starch is a thickener. And it will save you time by quickly thickening the sauce once the fruits/ fruit pulp are simmered.

Gelatin/ Agar Agar - these are some thickening agents which are the alternatives to pectin. But honestly not required for compote. However, these are helpful in jam and jelly.

Extra sugar - some more sugar makes the syrup thicker easily. When it's cooled, it becomes thicker though.

Whenever I make any compote, I prefer citrus fruits along with little more sugar. Also it's thicker when cooled down.

How to make strawberry compote or strawberry sauce?

This is an easy sauce or compote you can make in just 15 minutes with minimal ingredients.

Ingredients

This recipe calls for only 3 ingredients.

Strawberries - Pick fresh red bright berries for best flavor. Frozen berries will also work. Wash, clean. remove the leaves. Dice into quarters.

Lemon - zest of 1 lemon + lemon juice - keep strawberry flavor strong without lemony flavor.

Sugar - Use more if using lemon juice than that of orange juice. Orange juice has some natural sweetness also. So required lesser sugar probably.

Instructions: -

Add diced strawberries along with sugar in a saucepan. Keep the pan on slow flame and simmer. Keep stirring in between. As soon as the sugar starts melting, the fruit pulp will simmer in the sugar syrup. Add lemon zest and lemon juice 1 tbsp to the saucepan. Gradually it will start to thicken. Remove from heat and let it cool for some time. Store in a sterilized jar and refrigerate/ freeze.

Recipe Card for Strawberry Compote/ Strawberry Sauce

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