Looking to take your dessert to the next level? Look no further than this quick strawberry sauce recipe. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a delectable topping that will elevate your favorite sweet treats. This simple strawberry sauce is incredibly versatile. Spoon it generously over a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a classic sundae, or swirl it into a bowl of yogurt for a refreshing twist.
It's also perfect for drizzling over pancakes, waffles, or French toast, adding a delicious fruity twist to your breakfast or brunch. But that's not all – this strawberry sauce can do even more. Use it as a filling for pastries like tarts or crepes, or simply pour it over a slice of cheesecake for an extra burst of flavor. The possibilities are endless! The best part? This strawberry sauce recipe is quick and easy, ensuring that you can enjoy the ultimate dessert experience without much effort.
How to Make Strawberry Sauce
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and ¼ cup water. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Allow the strawberries to cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until they become soft and release their juices.
In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and the remaining ¼ cup of water until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Gradually stir in the cornstarch mixture into the sauce and continue to cook, stirring until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the sauce cool for a few minutes. The sauce will thicken further as it cools. Once the sauce has cooled, you can use it immediately or transfer it to a jar or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Note: If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree the cooked strawberries before adding the cornstarch slurry. This will result in a smoother texture without strawberry chunks.
Also, if you prefer to make the sauce without cornstarch, simply omit it along with ¼ cup of water and continue cooking the strawberry mixture for about 15 minutes in total or until it reaches your desired thickness.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Strawberry Sauce
Tools
- medium saucepan This is required for cooking the strawberry sauce.
- Wooden spoon or spatula Used for stirring and combining the ingredients in the saucepan while cooking.
- small bowl Needed to mix a portion of the fruit mixture with cornstarch to create a smooth slurry before adding it back to the saucepan.
- Whisk or fork Used to mix the cornstarch with a small portion of the fruit mixture, ensuring it is well combined and free of any lumps.
- Measuring Cups and spoons Essential for accurately measuring the ingredients, including strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, butter, and vanilla extract (if used).
- knife Required for hulling (removing the green tops) and quartering the strawberries.
- Cutting board Provides a sturdy surface for slicing and preparing the strawberries.
- Spoon or ladle: Used to transfer the finished strawberry sauce into serving containers or drizzle it over desired dishes.
- Heat-resistant trivet or mat: Recommended for placing the hot saucepan on a protective surface to prevent damage.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs strawberries hulled and quartered
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of your strawberries
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup water , divided
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and ¼ cup water. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Allow the strawberries to cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until they become soft and release their juices.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and the remaining ¼ cup of water until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Gradually stir in the cornstarch mixture into the sauce and continue to cook, stirring until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the sauce cool for a few minutes. The sauce will thicken further as it cools. Once the sauce has cooled, you can use it immediately or transfer it to a jar or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree the cooked strawberries before adding the cornstarch slurry. This will result in a smoother texture without strawberry chunks.
Notes
- To store: Allow the strawberry sauce to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container, such as a jar or airtight plastic container. Seal the container tightly to prevent any air or moisture from getting in. Place the container in the refrigerator. Strawberry sauce can typically be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. However, it's always best to check for any signs of spoilage before using it.
- To reheat: strawberry sauce can also be enjoyed straight from the fridge without reheating. However, if you want to warm it up, remove the desired amount of strawberry sauce from the refrigerator. Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan or microwave-safe dish. If using a saucepan, heat the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If using a microwave, heat the sauce in short intervals, stirring in between, until warmed to your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat the sauce, as it can become too runny if heated excessively. Once warmed, remove from heat or microwave and serve as desired. Reheated strawberry sauce can be used immediately or refrigerated for later use.
Transfer the sauce to an airtight container, such as a jar or airtight plastic container.
Seal the container tightly to prevent any air or moisture from getting in.
Label the container with the date of preparation to help you keep track of its freshness.
Place the container in the refrigerator and store it for up to 5 days. When you're ready to use the strawberry sauce, simply remove it from the refrigerator and spoon it over your desired dishes or desserts. If the sauce has thickened in the refrigerator, you can gently warm it in a saucepan or microwave, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. How to Freeze To freeze the strawberry sauce for longer-term storage, follow these steps: Allow the strawberry sauce to cool completely to room temperature before freezing. Transfer the sauce to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Ensure the container or bags are airtight and suitable for freezing. Leave some headspace at the top of the container or bags to allow for expansion during freezing. Seal the container or bags tightly to prevent air and moisture from getting in. Label the container or bags with the date and contents for easy identification. Place the container or bags in the freezer, ensuring they are stored in a flat position to allow for easier thawing and storage optimization. Freeze the strawberry sauce for up to 3 months. It is recommended to use it within this timeframe for the best quality. When you're ready to use the frozen strawberry sauce, follow these steps to thaw and use it: Remove the container or bags of frozen strawberry sauce from the freezer. Thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours until completely thawed. Alternatively, you can thaw it in a microwave using the defrost setting, but be cautious to avoid overheating or cooking the sauce. Once thawed, give the sauce a gentle stir to recombine any separated components. Use the thawed strawberry sauce as desired, whether as a topping for desserts, in recipes, or for other culinary creations. Remember to discard any strawberry sauce that has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours or shows signs of spoilage. Properly stored and thawed strawberry sauce can be enjoyed with all its delicious flavors and textures.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
