This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
This quick and easy recipe for Homemade Strawberry Sauce is a must-have! This is a great way to use up fresh summer strawberries or to keep the ones you have in the fridge from going bad. I include plenty of tips for making your sauce thinner or thicker and glossier, too!
Looking for some more great recipes to use up fresh strawberries? I think strawberries are one of my absolute favorite fruits so I have so many here. Check out this Strawberry Tart, this easy Strawberry Pie, and Strawberry Lemonade for more refreshing treats!
Strawberry Sauce
I am definitely a bulk buyer. When I see a good deal at the grocery store, I can’t help it, I’ve gotta have ’em! Especially when it comes to fresh fruit like strawberries. If you are like me and spontaneously come home with an entire box of strawberries, you need to try this strawberry sauce! Another go-to recipe is my homemade strawberry freezer jam, and of course a fresh strawberry milkshake!
What is this strawberry sauce for? Well, the first thing that you have to put it on is strawberry shortcake! It’s absolutely divine. Then on top of a classic New York cheesecake, um, yes please! You can really put it on top of anything that would benefit from a little fresh flavor, like a chocolate cake, as a filling in a chocolate cupcake, or on top of an ice cream sundae. I love it on my pound cake and angel food cake. It’s great on all breakfast pastries and sweet breads. This glossy and gorgeous topping is fit for any occasion, and makes anything look fancier!
Ingredients
Yup, it’s just 4 simple ingredients! And you can leave out the vanilla extract if you feel like it. You can also add other ingredients or fruit like blueberries, blackberries, etc. Actually, you can make any type of fruit sauce using this exact recipe and substituting for the fruit you want. I’ve made a cherry sauce with this recipe and it was incredible! You can find the measurements below in the recipe card.
- Strawberries: You will need one pound of strawberries with the tops taken off. I like to hull out the inside too, but that’s up to you. You could use frozen strawberries, but they will let off a lot of liquid when they thaw out so you will likely need to drain that first.
- Granulated Sugar: This helps to sweeten the sauce and helps it thicken up.
- Lemon Juice: Helps to keep it fresh and brightens up the flavors.
- Vanilla Extract: I just love it because I think it brings out all the yummy flavors in the sauce!
Strawberry Sauce Recipe
It doesn’t get easier than this strawberry sauce recipe! Seriously, you just put the ingredients in a pot and heat until it’s thick. Of course, you’ll want to follow each step so that it turns out perfectly. I also share my tips below on how to adjust the thickness, and how to thin it out if you accidentally make it too thick!
- Add Ingredients: Combine strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, salt, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
- Cook: Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the strawberries release their juices and the mixture is liquidy (about 5 minutes or so).
- Boil: Bring to a boil and then cook at a boil for one minute.
- Thicken: Reduce heat and continue to cook until mixture is thickened, but keep in mind that your strawberry sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Enjoy: Then serve! Strawberry sauce is always best served warm (at least in my opinion!)
Tips for Making Strawberry Sauce
This homemade strawberry sauce is super simple to whip up. I am going to share a few tips that can help you adjust your sauce to be perfect for whatever you are making.
- Add Cornstarch: You can add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to make a thicker sauce. Just add it in at the same time as the other ingredients and cook as directed. The cornstarch is optional. I love it because it speeds up the process of thickening the sauce and yields a lush, glossy sauce in a matter of minutes. If you leave out the cornstarch, you won’t get the same thick sauce and it will take a lot longer to thicken properly (think closer to 20 minutes rather than 5).
- Thickening: This sauce will continue to thicken once it’s finished cooking as it cools. Keep this in mind while judging whether your sauce is finished or not; when you take it off the stovetop it should be a bit thinner than you want the finished product to be.
- Thin Your Sauce: Accidentally cook your sauce too long and make it too thick? No fear, you’re not stuck with strawberry jam! Simply add a tablespoon or two more water with the heat on low and cook until the water is nicely combined and the sauce is smooth.
Storing Leftovers
This recipe makes a good amount of homemade strawberry sauce! If you end up with some leftover, here is how to store it.
- In the Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- In the Freezer: You can freeze your homemade sauce in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Just thaw and enjoy!
Try It With These Recipes!
If you just made your strawberry sauce, you’ve got to try it on one or all of these recipes! I am seriously addicted to putting this strawberry sauce on just about everything. Here are a few of my favorite things to put it on.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Homemade Strawberry Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla in a medium-sized pot.
- Cook over medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes. Stir frequently until the berries release their juices and the sauce starts to thicken.
- Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool on the counter or in the refrigerator. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serve over ice cream, on pancakes, or enjoy with any dessert!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I can this recipe
Hi Mikayla, thanks for the question. I’ve never canned this recipe but I think it would work just fine if you follow safe canning techniques!
Thank you for this recipe! I love the big boxes of strawberries at the groceries in the springtime and this is another wonderful way to enjoy them. Added a splash of rose water for fun. Can’t wait to have it on yogurt and cottage cheese.
Please can you send me your recipe’s
I enjoy cooking and your recipes look delicious
Can u use frozen strawberries
Yes you can!
Thank you soooo much. This recipe was so simple, easy and delicious. My husband and dad now say my pancakes are their favorite pancakes. Soon I will put this delicious sauce over waffles, homemade ice cream and yogurt. I can taste it already. Yummy and than you again for the recipe!
I loved your recipes
I walked away and left the pot on the stove and it over boiled all of my sto ve I deserve that because I wasn’t watching the pot there were recipes very easy 1 2 3 and I hope it turned out and cools down
I just got 2 flats of strawberries. Can I preserve with a water bath canner?
That should work if it’s done properly and you make sure that the jars have been sterilized beforehand.
Can you use a water bath canner to preserve in canning jars ?
That should work if it’s done properly and the jars have been sterilized beforehand.
I sub’d maple syrup for the sugar. Yum with chia pudding.
So easy and yummy.
Can the sugar be replaced with Splenda?
That should work!
How long will this last when refrigerated?
It will last about 7 days when stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
Can you use a waterbath canner to preserve this in canning jars?
I would like to know this as well