Strawberry Compote (Strawberry Sauce)

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

This strawberry compote has only three ingredients, i.e., fresh strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Lemon juice is a critical ingredient that balances 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. The process will remain the same if you want to make such compote with cranberry, blueberry, etc.

What is a compote?

Compote is generally a chunky, fruity sauce cooked in sugar to reach the desired consistency. This sweet, fruity sauce can be eaten separately as a dessert or used as a topping in many dishes. You can call it a sauce or glaze. Though it's almost similar to those fruity jams, there is a slight difference.

Strawberry Compote

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, thickening the sauce. So the compote is succulent and sweet, with chunky berries sauce.

How can I use the strawberry sauce?

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

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

Fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries?

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

Is strawberry compote the same as strawberry jam?

Compote is more chunky sauce than jam, whereas jam is smoother. The smoothness comes by blending them before/ during cooking, which gives them a soft, spreadable texture. Also, jam is a little more sugary and has a thicker consistency.

How long does the compote last?

This strawberry compote or any homemade compote can be good for up to 2 weeks and stored in the refrigerator 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 you can defrost only as much as 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.

When we cook the fruit with sugar, sugar melts into syrup, and the fruit or berries slowly cook in the syrup. In this process, the fruit releases its moisture. So it becomes thicker when simmered longer than 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 natural pectin sources. So, it can thicken the sauce/ jam/ compote without adding any thickener. 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 - This is an alternative to pectin and is a thickening agent. But honestly, it is 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 denser, though.

I prefer citrus fruits and a little more sugar whenever I make any compote. Also, it's thicker when cooled down.

How to make strawberry compote or strawberry sauce?

You can make This easy sauce or compote in just 15 minutes with minimal ingredients.

Ingredients

This recipe calls for only three ingredients.

Strawberries - Pick fresh, red, and bright berries for the best flavor. Frozen berries will also work. Wash and clean. Remove the crown part. 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, it required less sugar probably.

Instructions: -

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

Strawberry Compote (Strawberry Sauce) Recipe

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