This fresh Strawberry Sauce is quick and easy to make and tastes delicious as a topping for cheesecake or pound cake; or as a sauce with ice cream or whipped cream.
Fresh strawberry topping
There’s nothing like strawberry season, if you ask me. I love using the fresh berries to make this strawberry sauce/strawberry topping for yogurt, cheesecake… Or to eat with a spoon!
- It’s quick and easy to make with just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of time
- This is a great recipe to use for berries that need to be used up and may not look their best anymore, or for off-season berries that lack natural sweetness
- This freezes well, so it’s a great way to preserve those juicy farmer’s market strawberries!
Jump to:
Ingredients you’ll need
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!
Ingredient notes
- Strawberries: You can make this with frozen strawberries. You don’t need to defrost them, but the sauce will take a little longer to cook and they tend to break up more. Feel free to substitute other berries – the sauce works great with blueberries, blackberries or cherries. Raspberries tend to completely break up and form more of a jam.
- Cornstarch: Feel free to double or triple the cornstarch for a more jammy, thick sauce (the recipe as-is yields chunks of soft strawberry in syrup-y sauce).
- Lemon juice: The lemon aids with the thickening of the sauce. If you use bottled or skip the lemon juice, you may need to add a little more cornstarch to get the same consistency.
How to make strawberry sauce
1. Combine the strawberries and sugar in a pot. Whisk together the cornstarch, vanilla and lemon juice in a small bowl, then pour into the pot with the strawberries and sugar.
strawberries and sugar add cornstarch slurry
2. Stir well, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat once. This will start releasing the strawberries’ juices, which will be very liquid at this point.
Reduce the heat to medium and allow the sauce to simmer for around 5 minutes, stirring often, until the juices have thickened to your liking. Break up or even mash part of the berries as the sauce cooks if you like, for a less chunky and more mashed sauce.
combine bring to a boil simmer until saucy and berries have softened
You can serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream for a simple dessert. Use at room temperature or chilled on cheesecakes and the like, in order to keep your dessert from melting away under the heat of the freshly cooked sauce.
Recipe tips
- You can cut the strawberries as small or as chunky as you’d like. I prefer a chunky strawberry sauce, especially for cheesecake toppings or for things like extra-special strawberry shortcake and the like.
- The sauce thickens a little as it chills. If it is too thick when you want to use it, microwave it for 10-15 seconds.
- This yields soft, juicy strawberries in a sirup-y sauce. For a thicker sauce, double or even triple the cornstarch.
Sauce consistency
I like a chunky strawberry topping with lots of juicy syrup. But in some instances, it can be more useful to have more of a sauce consistency, or smaller chunks. Here are some ways you can vary the consistency:
- Cut the strawberries in large chunks (halve or quarter) and only stir carefully during simmering to leave the berry chunks whole for a very chunky topping, perfect for cheesecake
- Dice the strawberries in medium chunks, and/or break up some of the berries as the sauce simmers for a more small chunk, jamm-y topping
- For a smoother sauce, please do not blend – it turns out too liquid-y. Instead, break up/mash all of the berries with a wooden spoon after simmering the sauce for about 5 minutes. Simmer for 5-10 more minutes, stirring often, until thickened to your preferred consistency.
Storage tips
Fridge: Cool the sauce to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm the sauce and to make it thinner again if it is too thick.
Freezer: Cool the sauce to room temperature, then place in a labelled freezer bag or freezer container. Freeze for up to 4 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
Ideas for using
- Top a cheesecake or a no bake cheesecake with your strawberry sauce
- Use as an extra-special topping for strawberry shortcake
- Spoon some on top of Greek yogurt
- Serve with lemon pound cake
- Use as a Crépe filling
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, or cold with whipped cream
- Serve hot with waffles, pancakes or French toast
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Sign up for my email list, too!
Printable recipe
Fresh Strawberry Sauce (Strawberry Topping)
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries rinsed, hulled and halved or quartered
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch or more to taste; see notes below!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine strawberries and sugar in a medium pot or saucepan.
- Whisk together lemon juice, vanilla extract and cornstarch in a small bowl until fully smooth/no lumps remain. Pour over strawberries and stir well.
- Bring to a boil once over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium heat and simmer sauce until berries are soft and juices have thickened slightly, about 5 minutes for a chunky topping (see notes below for other consistencies).
- Use warm, at room temperature or chilled.
Notes
Ingredient notes
- Strawberries: You can make this with frozen strawberries. You don’t need to defrost them, but the sauce will take a little longer to cook and they tend to break up more. Feel free to substitute other berries – the sauce works great with blueberries, blackberries or cherries. Raspberries tend to completely break up and form more of a jam.
- Cornstarch: Feel free to double or triple the cornstarch for a more jammy, thick sauce (the recipe as-is yields chunks of soft strawberry in syrup-y sauce).
- Lemon juice: The lemon aids with the thickening of the sauce. If you use bottled or skip the lemon juice, you may need to add a little more cornstarch to get the same consistency.
Recipe tips
- You can cut the strawberries as small or as chunky as you’d like. I prefer a chunky strawberry sauce, especially for cheesecake toppings or for things like extra-special strawberry shortcake and the like.
- The sauce thickens a little as it chills. If it is too thick when you want to use it, microwave it for 10-15 seconds.
- This yields soft, juicy strawberries in a sirup-y sauce. For a thicker sauce, double or even triple the cornstarch.
Sauce consistency
I like a chunky strawberry topping with lots of juicy syrup. But in some instances, it can be more useful to have more of a sauce consistency, or smaller chunks. Here are some ways you can vary the consistency:- Cut the strawberries in large chunks (halve or quarter) and only stir carefully during simmering to leave the berry chunks whole for a very chunky topping, perfect for cheesecake
- Dice the strawberries in medium chunks, and/or break up some of the berries as the sauce simmers for a more small chunk, jamm-y topping
- For a smoother sauce, please do not blend – it turns out too liquid-y. Instead, break up/mash all of the berries with a wooden spoon after simmering the sauce for about 5 minutes. Simmer for 5-10 more minutes, stirring often, until thickened to your preferred consistency.
Kyle says
Simple recipe to follow with delicious results! It’s perfect just as listed so absolutely no additional ingredients are necessary! Great option to provide when serving homemade cheesecake! Thank you!
Nora says
I’m so glad, Kyle!
Jo says
good recipe, but definitely needs a pinch of salt to help the flavors. i also added a touch of red food dye to make it look even prettier lol.
Nora says
Pretty never hurts, haha! Glad you liked it, I need to try with a pinch of salt – sounds genius!
Jesse says
I love this recipe it’s 🔥🔥🔥
Nora says
I’m so glad, Jesse!