While you could technically whip up a basic strawberry sauce with just two ingredients (strawberries and sugar), it’s the addition of fresh lemon juice and lemon zest that truly elevates this recipe, making it the best strawberry sauce for topping all your favorite creations. These citrus elements aren’t just for flavor; they play a crucial role in brightening the overall taste and perfectly balancing the sweetness of the berries and sugar. This harmonious blend creates a sauce that is both sweet and wonderfully tangy.

• Strawberries: The star of our sauce! When strawberries are in peak season, fresh, vibrant berries are absolutely ideal, offering the most intense flavor. However, don’t despair if it’s not strawberry season – frozen strawberries work equally well and make this recipe accessible all year long. For optimal texture and to help the berries break down easily during cooking, make sure to hull and dice or slice them before adding them to the pan.
• Sugar: Granulated white sugar serves a dual purpose here: it sweetens the sauce to perfection and contributes significantly to achieving that desirable syrupy, glossy texture. The amount of sugar can be adjusted to your personal preference and also depends on the natural sweetness of your strawberries. Taste as you go and don’t be afraid to tweak it slightly.
• Lemon Juice & Zest: This dynamic duo is a game-changer! Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a much-needed acidic balance to the sweetness, preventing the sauce from being overly cloying. The zest, on the other hand, infuses the sauce with aromatic citrus oils, adding a layer of bright, complex flavor that truly makes this sauce shine. If you’re new to zesting or need a refresher, here’s a helpful guide on how to zest a lemon using common kitchen tools.

Refer to the recipe card below for precise measurements and quantities of each ingredient.

Using Frozen Strawberries: Tips & Tricks

Absolutely, yes! Frozen strawberries are a fantastic substitute and perform beautifully in this recipe, allowing you to enjoy homemade strawberry sauce any time of year. There’s no need for the extra step of thawing them first; simply add them directly to your saucepan straight from the freezer. This is a huge time-saver and makes the recipe incredibly convenient.

However, there’s a small difference to keep in mind: frozen berries naturally contain more water than fresh ones. As they thaw and cook, they will release additional liquid into your sauce. This means you might need to simmer the sauce for an extra few minutes to achieve the desired thickness and syrupy consistency. Just keep an eye on it and stir occasionally until it thickens to your liking. The end result will be just as delicious and vibrant, perfect for all your topping needs!

Crafting this luscious strawberry sauce from scratch is remarkably straightforward and requires minimal effort. The entire process comes together in three simple steps, making it an ideal last-minute addition to any meal or dessert.

1. Combine Ingredients: Begin by adding all four ingredients – your diced or sliced strawberries (fresh or frozen), granulated sugar, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic lemon zest – into a medium-sized saucepan.
2. Boil and Simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to help the sugar dissolve and prevent sticking. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Continue to cook, stirring every few minutes, for approximately 15 minutes. During this time, the strawberries will soften and break down, releasing their juices, and the liquid will gradually thicken into a beautiful, glossy syrup. If using frozen strawberries, you might need an extra 5-10 minutes of simmering for it to reach the desired consistency, as they contain more water.
3. Cool and Serve: Once the sauce has thickened to your preference and the strawberries are tender, carefully remove the saucepan from the heat. Transfer the hot strawberry syrup to a serving bowl or a clean glass jar. Allow it to cool slightly before serving. It’s important to note that the sauce will continue to thicken considerably as it cools, achieving its final, irresistible syrupy consistency.

This effortless method ensures a consistently delicious result every time, providing you with a versatile topping that’s bursting with fresh strawberry flavor.

Customizing Your Sauce’s Consistency

One of the beauties of this homemade strawberry sauce is its adaptability. You can easily adjust its texture to perfectly suit your preferences and the dish you’re serving. When I first developed this recipe, I often strained it for a perfectly smooth, pourable strawberry syrup. These days, however, I frequently opt to leave it wonderfully chunky, as pictured in my photos. The juicy strawberry pieces dispersed throughout add a delightful texture and rustic charm that I absolutely adore.

Here’s how you can tailor the consistency of your strawberry sauce:

• For a Chunky Sauce: To achieve a sauce with distinct pieces of fruit, simply dice your strawberries into larger chunks before cooking. As the sauce simmers, try to avoid excessive mashing; let the berries soften naturally while mostly retaining their shape. This creates a topping with satisfying bursts of whole strawberry goodness.
• For a Softer, Jammy Texture: If you prefer a texture that’s halfway between chunky and smooth, with smaller, very soft fruit pieces, gently mash the strawberries with the back of a spoon or a potato masher as they cook. This helps them break down further and creates a rich, jam-like consistency that’s perfect for spreading.
• For a Completely Smooth Sauce or Syrup: For a silky, elegant strawberry syrup without any fruit pulp, you have a couple of options. After the sauce has finished cooking and cooled slightly, you can either blend it in a high-speed blender until completely smooth, or, for an even finer texture, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing down on the solids with a spatula to extract all the delicious liquid. This smooth syrup is excellent for cocktails, drizzling artfully, or whenever a refined finish is desired.

Delicious Ways to Use Strawberry Topping!

The versatility of this homemade strawberry sauce is truly endless! Once you have a batch ready, you’ll find yourself reaching for it to enhance a myriad of dishes. Here are just a few of my favorite and most inspiring ideas to incorporate this delightful fruit topping into your culinary repertoire:

• Decadent Dessert Enhancer: Spoon generously over creamy desserts like no-bake cheesecake, tangy lemon cheesecake bars, or adorable mini cottage cheese cheesecakes. It’s also an absolute dream poured over frozen lemonade pie or as the crowning glory on a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
• Breakfast & Brunch Superstar: Elevate your morning meals! This sauce is perfect for drizzling over rich chocolate chip waffles, delicate homemade crepes, nourishing overnight oats, hearty quinoa breakfast bowls, classic French toast sticks, or even fluffy drop biscuits for a delightful sweet and savory twist.
• Cake & Cupcake Companion: Transform ordinary baked goods into extraordinary treats. Pour this vibrant sauce over a slice of moist strawberry cake, rich chocolate cake, or tender fudgy brownie cupcakes for an instant upgrade. It’s also divine when served atop a slice of elegant cream cheese pound cake.
• Simple & Satisfying: Sometimes, less is more. Enjoy a bowl of the chunky strawberry sauce simply topped with a dollop of fluffy homemade whipped cream for an effortlessly chic dessert.
• Unexpected Savory Pairings: Don’t limit yourself to sweet! The bright, fruity notes of this sauce make it a surprisingly delicious accompaniment to certain savory dishes. Experiment by serving it with creamy burrata cheese or alongside tender pork chops for a unique flavor experience that will impress your guests.
• Beverage Enhancer: Stir the smooth version of this sauce (or even chunky, if you like) into homemade cocktails for a fruity twist, add it to lemonade for a refreshing strawberry variation, or mix it with sparkling water for a gourmet soda. Think of it as a delightful homemade strawberry simple syrup!

With so many options, this homemade strawberry topping truly is a recipe you’ll return to again and again, finding new and exciting ways to enjoy its fresh, sweet flavor.

Fruit Variations: Beyond Strawberries

The beauty of this simple sauce-making method lies in its incredible adaptability. Once you master the basic technique, you’ll discover that it works beautifully with a wide array of other fruits! You can easily swap out the strawberries for your favorite berries, stone fruits, or even tropical options. Just maintain a similar sugar-to-fruit ratio and don’t forget that crucial splash of lemon juice to brighten and balance the flavors. Here are some delightful variations to inspire your next batch:

• Blueberry Sauce: Blueberries are another fantastic choice for this method. If you’re looking for a dedicated recipe, I have a whole post detailing my easy blueberry sauce, which is just as quick to prepare and absolutely delicious! It’s perfect for pancakes, yogurt, or even savory dishes like pork.
• Raspberry Sauce: Using raspberries will yield a wonderfully tart and sweet sauce. Follow the exact same cooking method, but for a truly silky and elegant finish, I highly recommend straining the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve after cooking to remove all the tiny seeds. This makes for a refined topping ideal for delicate desserts.
• Mixed Berry Sauce: Why choose just one when you can have them all? Combine a medley of your favorite berries – strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries – for a vibrant, colorful, and complex-flavored topping that truly pairs with everything. This “berry medley” sauce is especially stunning on cheesecakes or as a vibrant addition to breakfast bowls.
• Peach or Mango Sauce: For a taste of the tropics or summer stone fruits, swap in chopped peaches or mangoes. Make sure to chop the fruit into small, uniform pieces so they cook down evenly. Simmer them just like you would the berries. This variation is incredibly delicious for spooning over creamy Greek yogurt, adding to oatmeal, or topping a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream. The natural sweetness of these fruits often means you can slightly reduce the added sugar.

Experiment with different fruits and find your new favorite homemade topping!

Storage & Freezing Instructions

Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious homemade strawberry sauce for as long as possible. Follow these simple guidelines to keep it fresh and flavorful:

• Refrigeration: Once your strawberry sauce has cooled completely to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container or a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Stored in the refrigerator, it will maintain its peak freshness and flavor for up to 1 week. Always ensure it’s fully cooled before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain quality.
• Freezing for Long-Term Storage: For those times when you’ve made a larger batch or want to enjoy this sauce beyond a week, freezing is an excellent option! I personally love to pour the cooled sauce into silicone ice cube trays. This method is incredibly convenient as it creates perfectly portioned servings. Once the cubes are frozen solid (typically after 4-6 hours), pop them out of the trays and transfer them to a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Label the bag with the date. Your homemade strawberry sauce will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months. It’s ideal for defrosting small portions as needed, whether for a single serving of oatmeal or a quick dessert topping.
• Thawing Frozen Portions: To thaw, simply take out the desired number of frozen cubes and let them sit in a small bowl in the refrigerator overnight. For quicker thawing, you can gently reheat them in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop, stirring until melted and warm, or microwave them in short bursts, stirring in between, until defrosted and heated through.

With these storage tips, you can enjoy the bright, summery taste of homemade strawberry sauce any time the craving strikes!

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sauce

The Best Homemade Strawberry Sauce

This ultimate homemade strawberry sauce is incredibly easy to make with just 4 simple ingredients and works beautifully with both fresh or frozen berries! Drizzle this versatile topping generously over pancakes, waffles, cheesecakes, ice cream, and so much more for an instant burst of fresh, sweet-tart flavor.

Author: Kelly Senyei

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Yields 2 cups

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Ingredients 

• ▢ 3 cups hulled, diced strawberries
• ▢ ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ▢ 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions 

• In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine the hulled and diced strawberries (fresh or frozen), granulated sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and fragrant lemon zest. Stir gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, ensuring the sugar dissolves. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a steady simmer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries are tender and soft, and the liquids have thickened slightly to a syrupy consistency, about 15 minutes. If using frozen strawberries, you might need an extra 5-10 minutes of simmering.
• Carefully transfer the hot strawberry sauce to a serving bowl or a clean glass jar. Set it aside and allow it to cool completely. The sauce will continue to thicken significantly as it cools to its final delicious consistency. Serve warm or chilled.

Kelly’s Notes

• This homemade strawberry sauce is my absolute favorite fruit topping to serve over my homemade Belgian waffles – it’s been my go-to combination for over a decade for a reason!
• If you prefer a perfectly thin, smooth strawberry syrup without any fruit pieces, strain the cooked mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. Press down on the solids with a spoon or spatula to extract all the liquid.
• To store, let the strawberry sauce cool completely to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container or a clean glass jar. It will stay fresh and delicious in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Freezing Tip: For longer storage, pour the cooled sauce into silicone ice cube trays. Once completely frozen solid, pop out the cubes and store them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. This allows for convenient portion control and keeps the sauce fresh for up to 3 months. It’s perfect for defrosting small amounts as needed!
• ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below! Your feedback is always appreciated.

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcal, Carbohydrates: 92g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.03g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 349mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 86g, Vitamin A: 27IU, Vitamin C: 134mg, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 1mg

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