Description
This strawberry rhubarb sauce is a quick and easy homemade fruit sauce made with fresh strawberries, tart rhubarb, vanilla, lemon, and a touch of sweetness. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s perfect for topping ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, waffles, toast, cheesecakes, and baked desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz strawberries, quartered (about 1 2/3 cups)
- 6 oz rhubarb, chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 5 extra strawberries, diced (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the strawberries, rhubarb, vanilla extract, lemon zest, lemon juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cornstarch.
- Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Cover the saucepan and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cook undisturbed for 12 minutes, allowing the fruit to soften and release its juices.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the extra diced strawberries if using.
- Allow the sauce to cool slightly. It will continue thickening as it cools.
- If a thicker consistency is desired, return the sauce to the heat and stir in a slurry made from 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp water. Cook for 1 to 4 additional minutes.
- Serve warm or chilled over your favorite breakfast or dessert dishes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Fresh or frozen strawberries and rhubarb can be used.
- Do not thaw frozen fruit before cooking.
- For a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender after cooking.
- The sauce thickens significantly as it cools.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Add extra diced strawberries after cooking for a chunkier texture.
- Allow the sauce to cool before transferring to glass containers.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 2 tbsp)
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 18mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg