Strawberry Compote
Create a bright, chunky strawberry compote in about 15 minutes with just 3 simple ingredients. It's a lusciously jammy and spoonable topping perfect for elevating breakfast or dessert.
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries (450 grams) fresh or frozen
- ⅓ cup white granulated sugar (67 grams)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice optional
Instructions
- Hull the strawberries, then cut smaller ones in half and larger ones into quarters. The pieces should be sized so some stay chunky while others soften into the syrup.
- Put the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice into a saucepan and set it over medium heat. At first the pan will look dry, but that changes quickly as the sugar starts pulling juice from the fruit.
- Stir regularly as the mixture heats. Within a few minutes, the sugar will dissolve, the berries will glisten, and a sweet fresh aroma will shift toward something deeper and jammy.
- Let the mixture simmer for 8 to 10 min, stirring now and then. When it is ready, the fruit will be soft, some pieces will have broken down, the bubbles will look smaller and thicker, and the syrup should coat the back of a spoon.
- Take the pan off the heat and transfer the compote to a jar or container. It may still look a little loose, but it thickens more as it cools.
- Chill before serving and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Once cold, the texture turns more settled and spoonable.
Notes
Texture Tip: Don't worry if the compote seems a little thin in the pan. It will thicken considerably as it cools down.
Using Frozen Strawberries: You can use frozen strawberries directly from the freezer without thawing. They release more liquid, so you may need to simmer the compote a few minutes longer to reach the desired thickness.
Storage: Once completely cooled, store the compote in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Troubleshooting: If the compote is too thick, stir in a splash of water while it's still warm. If it's too runny, simmer it a little longer until it reduces.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.