Simple Berry Compote

Berry Compote is a rich, sweet, jammy condiment you can make with your favorite fresh or frozen berries. Quick and easy to make; it can be ready before your waffles are done cooking.

Compote is a simple, saucy, whole-fruit marriage of syrup and jam. This rich, sweet condiment can be made with fresh or frozen fruit, has a multitude of uses, and takes just minutes to make.

Berry compote recipe can be made with whatever berries you have on hand: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc. You can make it all with one kind of berry (like the Marionberry compote on the waffle below), or make a mixed berry compote, as shown in the process photos below.

One of the things we love most about berry compote is how fast it comes together. This is what I make when we want a little last-minute something to pour on our ice cream or waffles. And compote isn't just for ice cream and waffles: it's perfect for topping pound cake, ice cream, and so much more!

Jump to:

• Compote Ingredients
• How to Make Berry Compote
• Variations
• Top Tips
• Storage
• More Fresh Berry Recipes
• How to Use Compote
• Simple Berry Compote

Compote Ingredients

• Berries: Use single type of berry, or combination of fresh or frozen berries: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, loganberries, Marion berries, etc.
• Sugar: The amount of sugar you need to dependent upon how sweet your berries are, and you personal tastes. Start with ¼ cup of sugar, and taste the compote about halfway through the cooking process. (Use a wooden spoon and be careful not to burn your tongue!) Add more sugar to taste.
• Lemon juice: Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice may be substituted int his recipe.
• Butter: We tend to use salted butter, but unsalted butter works just as well.
• Salt: If you use salted butter, hold off on adding more until the compote has cooked some. Season to taste at the same time you adjust the sweetness level.

How to Make Berry Compote

Put berries, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium-low. Stir with a wooden spoon to mix.

Mash the berries as desired with the back of the spoon or with a potato masher. Compote is meant to be chunky, so don't go crazy with the masher.

We like our compote to be chunky, but not too chunky, so we mash the berries a little in the process. This is totally optional. If you want the berries to maintain their shape more, skip the mashing step.

Bring the mixture to a low simmer over medium-low heat. Once the mixture is simmering, reduce the heat to low-low.

Continue to barely simmer, stirring frequently, until the berries release their juices: for 8-10 minutes.

Remove from heat and add the butter, stirring the berry mixture until it has completely melted.

Serve warm.

Variations

Single Berry Compote: Use any fresh or frozen berry variety that appeals to you: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, loganberries, Marion berries, etc.

Mixed Berry Compote: There are countless berry combinations when making mixed berry compote! You can also add other flavors: a tablespoon of finely chopped chipotle or jalapeño pepper in particular will add another dimension of flavor.

Top Tips

Fruit Coulis

A fruit coulis is a thin sauce made from puréed, strained fruits: essentially a smooth, thin version of a compote. With just two more simple steps, you can have a simple berry coulis using this compote recipe.

1. Pure the prepared fruit compote into a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the puree through a fine-mesh strainer over a medium mixing bowl. Stir the mixture, working it slowly with a rubber spatula, until until all of the thick berry liquid has been extracted. Discard seeds.

Berry coulis can be refrigerated for up to a week and frozen for up to six months.

Hint: Raspberry coulis is amazing over cheesecake!

Dipping Sauce

Make an easy dipping sauce for jalapeño poppers, chicken strips, and the like by mixing spicy BBQ sauce and berry compote 50/50. (Delish! You can thank me later!)

Storage

Berry compote can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It can also be frozen for up to six months.

Serve cold, or reheat to serve on warm foods.

More Fresh Berry Recipes

Some of our favorite fresh berry recipes include strawberry cream pie, classic blueberry pie and muffins, and strawberry cream crêpes.

How to Use Compote

Compote isn't just for waffles and ice cream! Here are more pairing ideas:

• Pancakes, waffles, French toast
• Muffins, bagels & cream cheese
• Pound cake, cheesecake
• Custard tarts
• Yogurt, kefir
• Oatmeal, overnight oats
• Baked chicken (Pairs perfectly with raspberry chipotle compote. Yum!)
• Pork chops (Try them with a blueberry compote!)

You get the idea. Use compote as you would any other sweet, jammy condiment.

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Originally published June 4, 2015. Post updated with new content, images, and recipe instructions to improve reader experience.