Lighter Strawberry Compote Recipe with Maple Syrup
Enjoy this quick and light strawberry compote, naturally sweetened with maple syrup and ready in less than 15 minutes. Perfect for topping French toast, ice cream, yogurt, and more, this simple recipe uses fresh ingredients without refined sugar or preservatives. It’s a delicious way to make the most of strawberry season!

This quick and healthy strawberry compote recipe is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and comes together in less than 15 minutes. Perfect for enjoying sweet strawberries during their peak season, this easy strawberry sauce elevates everything from French toast and angel food cake to vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt, overnight oats, and more. Using simple, clean ingredients, you’ll love how fresh and vibrant this compote tastes. Whether you’re new to making homemade strawberry compote or just looking for a go-to recipe, the step-by-step instructions make it easy to whip up in no time.
What is the difference between a strawberry compote and strawberry sauce?
The main difference between a strawberry compote and strawberry sauce lies in their texture and preparation method. A compote is typically made by cooking fruit, sugar, and sometimes spices or flavorings over low heat until the fruit is softened but still retains its shape, resulting in a chunky texture. It often includes whole or partially mashed fruit pieces. On the other hand, a strawberry sauce is usually smoother and more liquid in consistency, achieved by cooking the berries with sugar and possibly other ingredients until they break down completely, then straining the mixture to remove seeds and pulp, resulting in a more refined, sauce-like texture. I consider this recipe a hybrid of the two 🙂
Why You’ll Love This Easy Berry Sauce Recipe
- Quick to make: Ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for busy mornings or last-minute desserts.
- Naturally sweetened: Uses maple syrup for a balanced, natural sweetness without refined sugars.
- Versatile topping: Pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes like pancakes, yogurt, or ice cream.
- Clean ingredients: Made without preservatives, artificial flavors, or processed sugars.

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting strawberry sauce:
Fresh Strawberries: Any combination of ripe strawberries or frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or cherries can be used for the sauce.
Maple Syrup: Honey or agave syrup can be used instead of maple syrup.
Vanilla Extract: Almond extract or any other flavored extract can be used as a substitute. You can also omit the extract.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Lime juice or orange juice can be used instead of lemon juice. Or you can omit it.
Salt: Use any type of salt you have on hand, such as sea salt or kosher salt or omit it.

How to Make My Easy Strawberry Sauce Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for the best way to make strawberry sauce with maple syrup. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Cook the Berry Sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine the berries, maple syrup, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and pinch of salt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula, until the berries break down, about 5-7 minutes. Mash the berries with a fork or potato masher. Then simmer for an additional 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Blend the Sauce
This step is optional for a smoother compote. Pour the strawberry sauce into a blender or the chopper cup with an immersion blender and blend until smooth.


Quick Strawberry Sauce Recipe Notes
Fresh vs Frozen Fruit: You do not need to thaw frozen strawberries before placing them in the sauce pan. Although it may increase your cook time slightly.
Flavoring: You can add more tang by adding fresh lemon zest to the sauce. You can also mix in other berries for flavor variation.
Sauce Thickness: For a thick sauce, you can make a quick cornstarch slurry by adding one tablespoon of cornstarch, tapioca flour, or tapioca starch to one tablespoon of hot water and stirring it into the sauce. Stir and simmer for several minutes to thicken the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Naturally Sweet Breakfast: Spoon it over waffles, pancakes, or French toast for a sweet and fruity start to your day. It also tastes yummy swirled into yogurt parfaits with granola for a layered treat.
- Dessert Topping: Dress up cakes, cheesecakes, or angel food cake slices with a generous drizzle. It can also be a fantastic topping for ice cream sundaes or a delicious addition to a warm bread pudding.
- Beyond the Basics: Think outside the box! Use the compote as a filling for crepes or oatmeal, or even as a fancy sauce for a brie and arugula sandwich.
Do you love strawberries? Check out more of my easy and nutritious strawberry recipes:

Lighter Strawberry Compote Recipe with Maple Syrup Recipe



Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 pinches salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the berries, maple syrup, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and pinch of salt.Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula, until the berries break down, about 5-7 minutes. Mash the berries with a fork or potato masher. Then simmer for an additional 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
- This step is optional for a smoother compote. Pour the strawberry sauce into a blender or the chopper cup with an immersion blender and blend until smooth.Allow to cool and enjoy!
Video

How long can this be stored in the refrigerator?
I’ve stored it in my fridge for up to 10 days in an airtight container, and it’s tasted great 🙂
perfect balance of tang and sweetness thank you
You are so welcome, Beth! Thank you for the feedback 🙂
Thanks for such an easy recipe!
You’re welcome, Todd!
This is sweet without adding any more sugar, the strawberry taste really just shines
Thank you, Marcee! I’m so glad you like my recipe 🙂
This was so easy to make with the perfect amount of sweetness! Will make again!
Thank you, Dolores! I’m so glad you like this recipe 🙂
I hope you love this strawberry compote recipe as much as I do 🙂