Strawberry Compote Or Sauce | Easy & Quick Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

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5 from 4 votes

This recipe for homemade Strawberry Compote is quick & easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. You can leave it chunky or blend it to make a delicious strawberry sauce which is the perfect topping for crepes, pancakes, cheesecakes, and many other desserts!

Strawberry Compote Or Sauce | Easy & Quick Recipe - Elavegan (1)

Yay, for strawberry season! It’s the perfect time to eat as many strawberries as you can and to make your favorite vegan strawberry desserts. I always loved this special season back in Germany because my mom, my sister, and I spent hours picking fresh organic strawberries at the nearby farmer. We ended up going home with buckets full of strawberries and therefore, tried out lots of different strawberry recipes.

Of course, we made strawberry jam which tasted amazing, and we also baked many cakes like this Strawberry Crumb Cake.

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What Is Strawberry Compote?

It’s a thickened fruit sauce or “stew” made from strawberries, a sweetener, and a few other ingredients which are cooked for some minutes on the stove. It is not as sweet as strawberry jam because it contains a lot less sugar. Therefore, it keeps in the refrigerator for just about 10 days (we always finish it within a few days though).

I prefer using fresh strawberries but you can also use frozen strawberries. If using frozen berries, I would recommend cooking the compote a bit longer (or skipping the water) because frozen berries release more liquid.

I love how versatile it is, as it complements almost all desserts like Cheesecakes, Brownies, etc. or breakfast treats like Waffles! The possibilities are endless!

All ingredients including measurements and nutrition facts (calories, etc.) are listed in the printable recipe card below.

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How To Thicken It?

Even though strawberries contain some natural pectin, I still like adding a tiny bit of cornstarch which helps to thicken the strawberry compote and make it more “jelly-like”. But you can leave it out if you increase the cooking time or reduce the amount of water. I will mention some cornstarch substitutes below under “Tips & Substitutes”.

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How To Make This Recipe?

This recipe has only 3 simple steps and 5 minutes of prep time.

STEP 1: Wash, hull, and chop the strawberries. You can quarter them or chop them into smaller pieces.

STEP 2: Add all ingredients to a pan or saucepan and stir to combine until the cornstarch dissolves and no lumps remain. Then turn on the heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer over low to medium heat for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

STEP 3: Let the compote cool completely (it will thicken more) and transfer to clean (sterilized) glass jars.

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If you prefer a strawberry sauce (perfect to drizzle over a Vegan Cheesecake), then simply use an immersion blender or regular blender and blend until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.

My favorite combination is to drizzle the strawberry sauce over pancakes with peanut butter like these 3-Ingredient Oat Flour Pancakes:

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Tips & Substitutes

How to store? Store the strawberry compote in the fridge for up to 10 days. It’s also possible to freeze it!

Sweetener: Any granulated or liquid sweetener is fine. I used maple syrup which is refined sugar-free but you can also use other sweeteners like agave syrup, brown rice syrup, date syrup, regular sugar, or keto-friendly sweeteners like Erythritol.

Water: Feel free to use orange juice instead of water but I would recommend skipping the lemon juice if using orange juice.

Lemon juice: It’s totally fine to use lime juice. If you have organic lemons or limes, I recommend also adding a little of the zest (e.g. 1/2 tsp) to enhance the flavor of the compote!

Cornstarch: You can use arrowroot flour, tapioca flour/starch, or potato starch instead of cornstarch.

Vanilla: I like adding a little vanilla extract (about 1/2 teaspoon) for flavor but that’s totally optional.

Canning: Due to the low amount of sugar, this compote is not appropriate for canning.

Variation: Add other berries of choice, for example, blueberries, blackberries, currants, or raspberries to make a delicious fruit compote!

Serving ideas: I linked a couple of recipes above. The compote/sauce is not only great as a drizzle over desserts/breakfast treats like Vegan Crepes or Banana Bread. It also makes a great filling for Sweet Dumplings (German Dampfnudel)! Or why not layer your Chia Pudding with a little compote/sauce. Spoon it over ice cream, stir it into yogurt or use it as a low-calorie toast spread. It’s so yummy!

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Should you give this tasty strawberry compote a try, please leave a comment below, and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I love to see your remakes!

Strawberry Compote Or Sauce | Easy & Quick Recipe - Elavegan (10)

Strawberry Compote/Sauce

Author: Michaela Vais

This recipe for homemade Strawberry Compote is quick & easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. You can leave it chunky or blend it to make a delicious strawberry sauce which is the perfect topping for crepes, pancakes, cheesecakes, and many other desserts!

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 13 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American, German

Servings 6

Calories 46 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (450 g) strawberries (*see notes)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water (*see notes)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice or lime juice
  • 2-4 tbsp sweetener of choice (*see notes)
  • 1/2 tbsp cornstarch (*see notes)

Instructions

  • You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.

    Wash, hull, and chop the strawberries. Depending on their size, you can quarter them or chop them into smaller pieces.

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  • Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan and stir to combine until the cornstarch dissolves and no lumps remain. Once dissolved, turn on the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer over low to medium heat for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste it and add more sweetener/lemon juice if needed.

    Strawberry Compote Or Sauce | Easy & Quick Recipe - Elavegan (12)

  • Let the compote cool completely (it will thicken more) and transfer to clean (sterilized) glass jars. You can blend it with an immersion blender to make a strawberry sauce. Enjoy! Store in the fridge for up to 10 days. Check the recipe notes below for substitutions.

    Strawberry Compote Or Sauce | Easy & Quick Recipe - Elavegan (13)

Notes

  • Strawberries: You can use fresh or frozen strawberries. If using frozen berries reduce or skip the water. You can replace a part of the strawberries with other berries of choice (e.g. blackberries, blueberries, etc.).
  • Sweetener: Any granulated or liquid sweetener is fine. Use maple syrup, brown rice syrup, or date syrup, etc. for a refined sugar-free version. Erythritol is perfect for a keto-friendly version.
  • Cornstarch: It thickens the compote and makes it more jelly-like. You can use arrowroot flour, tapioca flour/starch, or potato starch instead of cornstarch. If you don't want to use it, simply skip the water or cook the compote longer until it thickens naturally.
  • Add-Ins: I like adding a little vanilla extract and lemon zest (1/2 tsp each) for flavor but that's optional.
  • Canning: Due to the low amount of sugar, this compote is not appropriate for canning.
  • Serving ideas: I have linked many serving ideas/recipes in the blog post above. There you will also find step-by-step photos.

Nutrition Facts

Strawberry Compote/Sauce

Amount per Serving

Calories

46

% Daily Value*

Fat

1

g

2

%

Saturated Fat

1

g

5

%

Carbohydrates

11

g

4

%

Fiber

2

g

8

%

Sugar

8

g

9

%

Protein

1

g

2

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

Equipment

Immersion blender*

Strawberry Compote Or Sauce | Easy & Quick Recipe - Elavegan (14) Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!

If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photos:

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Strawberry Compote Or Sauce | Easy & Quick Recipe - Elavegan (2024)

FAQs

How long does strawberry compote last in the fridge? ›

If using frozen fruit, you might need a little more cornstarch. Stir well and remove from heat. Let the compote cool off completely. Transfer to a clean pint jar and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

What is a compote prepared by using this method? ›

The recipe or methodology hasn't changed much over the centuries… a compote is simply cooked fruit preserved in a sugar syrup. Compote can be made from fresh or dried fruit, left whole or cut into chunks (although more commonly the latter), and cooked in a sugar syrup with or without spices.

What does compote mean in food? ›

com·​pote ˈkäm-ˌpōt. 1. : fruits cooked in syrup. 2. : a bowl usually with a base and stem from which compotes, fruits, nuts, or sweets are served.

How long does it take for compote to thicken? ›

Combine fruit, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Optional: Add cornstarch mixture to saucepan. Continue to boil until the berries break down and the compote has thickened to desired consistency, or about 2 to 3 minutes.

Does compote go bad? ›

Compote is not as thick as jam or jelly, and it's meant to be consumed relatively soon after making (it will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator). It's not designed to be canned or preserved for the months or years ahead. Compote is so easy to make that you can throw together a batch at a moment's notice!

Why do my strawberries go bad so fast in the fridge? ›

It comes down to moisture… and mold. Berries tend to be quite porous, water-rich and delicately skinned, meaning they soak up excess moisture in their environment very easily. They also pretty much all carry mold spores, which grow rapidly when moisture is plentiful.

What's the difference between strawberry jam and strawberry compote? ›

Most jam has a fairly uniform consistency, which makes it easy to spread. Compote, which may feature whole pieces of fruit, can be a bit harder to evenly spread. Jam is designed to last in the refrigerator; compote is not. Most compotes have less sugar than your typical jar of jam.

Should compote be served warm or cold? ›

Compotes are delicious served all by themselves as a dessert at the end of a meal. They are usually served warm but are sometimes chilled.

How can I thicken a compote? ›

Whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 teaspoon water until smooth. Pour the slurry into the compote after it has broken down and simmer 1-2 minutes, or until thickened to your desired texture.

What to eat with compote? ›

8 Ways to Serve Compote
  1. Top off a custard. A fruit compote can be the star of a dessert. ...
  2. Use it as a side for cheese platters. ...
  3. Mix in with yogurt. ...
  4. Add to French toast. ...
  5. Sweeten a scone. ...
  6. Adorn meat. ...
  7. Spoon atop cheesecake. ...
  8. Serve it on its own.
Dec 13, 2021

What do you put in a compote dish? ›

Compotes are all-purpose serving dishes. These usually footed bowls -- with or without lids or covers -- held special desserts, fruits, candies or sauces, jellies and other foods. Blown or pressed glass compotes provided a culinary presentation method suitable to 19th-century middle-class households.

How long does compote last in the fridge? ›

Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To keep compotes for longer, freeze, in batches, in plastic containers so you can defrost only as much as you need. Spices Oriental flavours such as star anise, ginger and cardamom are fantastic for fruit with a rich flavour, such as plums and berries.

Why is my strawberry sauce not thickening? ›

The easiest way to thicken strawberry sauce is to simmer it for longer. The longer you allow it to heat on the stove, the more moisture will evaporate. If your sauce isn't thickening on the stove, or you don't have the time to let it simmer longer, you can add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it.

Why is my strawberry puree not thickening? ›

To make your strawberry puree thicker, you're going to want to simmer it for a few minutes. Simmering the mixture reduces the amount of moisture that is in the puree allowing for a stronger strawberry flavor with less liquid.

Can you put cornstarch in compote? ›

Laura's Newest Recipe

2) In a medium saucepan, combine the berries, sugar and orange zest. Cook over medium high heat and bring to a boil stirring often until the sugar dissolves. 3) Add the cornstarch mixture and cook for 1 more minute (overcooking will make the fruit disintegrate).

How long will homemade compote last in the fridge? ›

Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To keep compotes for longer, freeze, in batches, in plastic containers so you can defrost only as much as you need. Spices Oriental flavours such as star anise, ginger and cardamom are fantastic for fruit with a rich flavour, such as plums and berries.

How to tell if strawberry compote is bad? ›

Chances are it's bad. Open it and see if there's any mold or if it smells bad. You'll know.

How long can I store compote? ›

The compote can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Allow to cool before placing in a sealed container. Heat through gently if you want to serve it warm. You can make up large quantities of compote and freeze them for up to 3 months.

Can strawberries last 2 weeks in the fridge? ›

Conclusion: The Best Way to Store Strawberries

You can keep these berries for up to three weeks in the refrigerator. The vinegar wash method is fine for keeping the strawberries for 1-2 weeks, and the original container is best for keeping the strawberries for one week.

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