Strawberry Sauce

Indulge in the sweet and delicious simplicity of homemade strawberry sauce, made with just three fresh ingredients. This thick and indulgent sauce, crafted from luscious, ripe strawberries, serves as the perfect topping for any treat, adding a burst of fresh flavor to satisfy your cravings.

I’ll be the first to admit that I adore strawberry season. What’s not to love about sweet strawberries? From cheesecakes and chocolate strawberries to popsicles and fresh salads, there are so many recipes that feature perfectly ripe berries.

But honestly, this strawberry sauce truly takes the cake. It’s incredibly delicious (but not too sweet!) and you can even eat it straight out of the jar if you’re feeling particularly sinful. Throw it over sundaes or use it as a dipping sauce for fresh fruit – anything goes!

The burst of fresh summer flavors should be enough to convince you to try this strawberry topping. But it certainly helps when a recipe is ridiculously easy to make!

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Sauce

• It’s ready in minutes.
• Makes a beautiful thick sauce.
• Pours perfectly over ice cream sundaes or your favorite dessert to take a simple dessert to the next level.
• It’s super simple to make.
• It requires just 3 simple ingredients!
• Great way to add fresh strawberry flavor.
• This homemade sauce works with everything from cheesecakes to tarts and Panna Cotta.
• Has a natural sweetness from the strawberries and honey.
• Great recipe to use up in-season strawberries from the farmer’s market.

Ingredients

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The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Strawberries
• Honey
• Lemon juice

How to Make Homemade Strawberry Sauce

• Step One: In a  medium saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, honey and lemon juice. Stir well to coat the strawberries in the honey.
• Step Two: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 5 minutes until the strawberries soften and release their juices. Continue to stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking.
• Step Three: Reduce the heat to a low simmer and continue to cook the mixture for another 10 to 15 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
• Step Four: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the finished sauce cool for a few minutes.

Equipment Needed

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• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Medium-sized saucepan
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula

Uses for Strawberry Sauce

Serve this fresh strawberry sauce with just about any dessert. Some of my favourite ways to use it are:

• Angel food cake
• French toast
• ​Pound cake
• Strawberry shortcake
• ​Over a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Breakfast pastries
• Buttermilk pancakes
• Yogurt
• Waffles
• Cheesecake

Variations and Substitutions

• ​Swap out the honey for maple syrup, agave nectar or granulated sugar.
• Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a strawberry-vanilla vibe.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon to make a spiced strawberry sauce.

Storage Instructions

Now that you’ve made a batch of strawberry sauce, here’s how to store it:

1. Let it cool down to room temperature.
2. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container or jar.
3. Pop it in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to a week.

One thing to note is that honey-based sauces can develop crystallization in the fridge over time. If you notice honey crystals in your sauce, microwave it for a few seconds or heat on low on the stove until the crystals disappear. Stir it well before serving.

Can I Freeze Strawberry Sauce?

Absolutely! Feel free to make ahead and freeze it. Simply allow the sauce to cool and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

To use, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight and gently reheat it before serving. 

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Always wash your strawberries before working with them. This might sound obvious, but freshly picked strawberries can be covered with dirt that you don’t want in your strawberry sauce!
• Use ripe and juicy strawberries for the best flavor. They will give your sauce a natural sweetness.
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a tangy kick to balance the sweetness of the strawberries. Don’t skip it
• Stir occasionally while cooking to prevent the sauce from sticking to the pan.
• Use high-quality honey that you like. It will contribute to the overall flavor of your sauce.
• Feel free to adjust the sweetness. Honey is sweeter than granulated sugar so you need to use less honey than you would sugar. Start with a smaller quantity of honey and taste as you go.
• Remember it’s always easier to add more than to take away.
• Experiment with different types of honey. Some honey is fruity, floral or has herbal notes. Try out different kinds and see what you like the best in this simple strawberry sauce.
• Use gentle heat. You want to avoid overheating any sauce made with honey because it can easily burn. Keep the heat at low to medium level to prevent scorching and keep the honey tasting its best.
• Honey is naturally thicker than sugar so it makes sense that this sauce will be on the thicker side. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a small amount of water or fruit juice (like orange juice) while cooking to adjust the thickness to your liking.

Try these strawberry recipes: Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, Strawberry Pretzel Salad, Strawberry Icebox Cake, Strawberry Dump Cake, Frozen Strawberry Fluff and Strawberry Mousse.

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries in this sauce recipe. You’ll need to either thaw them first OR cook them from frozen.

If you plan to cook from frozen, it will take a bit longer to soften the strawberries and for them to release their juices compared to fresh strawberries. Increase the cooking time slightly to ensure they are cooked through. It may take 10 minutes instead of the normal 5 minutes. 

If you are using whole strawberries, you can cut them with a knife or scissors in the pot once they have softened.

How to Thicken Strawberry Sauce?

If you prefer an even thicker sauce, here are a few methods to try:

• Simmering: Return the saucepan with the strawberry sauce to low heat and continue to simmer for a bit longer. This will help evaporate excess moisture and thicken the sauce naturally. Don’t forget to stir occasionally to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the strawberry sauce and stir well. Return the saucepan to low heat and cook for a few more minutes, stirring constantly. The cornstarch will thicken the sauce as it heats up. Keep in mind this method may change the texture and appearance of your sauce.
• Chilling: If you have time, you can refrigerate the strawberry sauce for a few hours or overnight. The sauce will naturally thicken as it cools in the fridge. This method may take longer, but it results in a thicker sauce with a more pronounced flavor.

How to Make a Thinner Strawberry Sauce

If you find that your strawberry sauce is too thick for your liking, here’s how to thin it out:

Add a splash of water or fruit juice, such as orange or apple juice, to the sauce.
Stir well to incorporate the liquid and continue adding in small increments until you reach your desired consistency.

FAQ

Strawberry Recipes

Love strawberries and looking for more ways to use them? Check out these fabulous recipes.

• Strawberry Cream Pie – Tastes like a dream! This easy summer pie is creamy, sweet and refreshing.
• Strawberry Ice Cream – So creamy, sweet and luscious! This fresh ice cream recipe is ready in a matter of hours and super simple to make at home with your ice cream maker.
• Strawberry S’mores – Ridiculously easy and delicious! Add some sliced strawberries to your next batch of s’mores for an extra burst of sweetness.
• Strawberry Lemon Fool – Perfect for a summer party or BBQ! This luscious dessert is piled high with soft, sweetened whipped cream, dotted with juicy amaretto-spiked strawberries and tangy lemon curd and then topped with crushed amaretto biscuits.
• Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberry Bread – A super moist, melt-in-your-mouth kind of recipe!

You’ll also love these Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies, Strawberry Cream Pie, Instant Pot Strawberry Jam, Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies, Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream and Strawberries in the Snow.

Try this Peanut Butter Magic Shell.

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