Homemade Strawberry Sauce Recipe

Recipe Information

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cooling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: About 2 cups

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and sliced
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries

1. Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries if using fresh berries.
2. If using frozen strawberries, thaw slightly for easier cooking.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

1. In a medium saucepan, add:
   • Strawberries
   • Sugar
   • Lemon juice
   • Water
   • Salt
2. Stir well to combine.

Step 3: Cook the Sauce

1. Place the saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
3. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. As the strawberries soften, gently mash some of them with a spoon or potato masher.

This creates a sauce with a mix of smooth texture and fruit pieces.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water to create a slurry.
2. Slowly stir the slurry into the simmering strawberries.
3. Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 5: Finish the Sauce

1. Remove from the heat.
2. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Allow the sauce to cool for about 15 minutes.

The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Expert Tips

Adjust the Sweetness

Taste the berries before cooking. Very sweet strawberries may require less sugar.

For a Smooth Sauce

Blend the finished sauce and strain through a fine-mesh sieve.

For a Chunky Sauce

Mash only part of the berries and leave larger pieces intact.

Use Fresh Lemon Juice

Fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness.

Variations

Strawberry Vanilla Sauce

Add an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Strawberry Basil Sauce

Stir in a few finely chopped fresh basil leaves after cooking.

Mixed Berry Sauce

Replace part of the strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.

Strawberry Orange Sauce

Substitute orange juice for half of the lemon juice.

Storage

Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Freezer

Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Warm gently on the stovetop or microwave before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This Homemade Strawberry Sauce is delicious on:

• Cheesecake
• Pancakes
• Waffles
• French toast
• Ice cream
• Yogurt parfaits
• Pound cake
• Angel food cake
• Strawberry shortcake
• Oatmeal