Strawberry Coulis Recipe (Easy Strawberry Sauce)
Updated Feb 24, 2025, Published Feb 08, 2025
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This simple Strawberry Coulis is a silky, sweet, and vibrant sauce made with just three ingredients! Perfect for drizzling over cakes, ice cream, and more. Quick, fresh, and bursting with real strawberry flavor—once you try it, you’ll want to put it on everything.
Why you will love this recipe
Once you try this homemade strawberry coulis, you’ll never want store-bought again! Here are a few reasons we love it in our home:
- Perfectly Smooth & Silky – Blended to perfection, this sauce has a luscious, velvety texture that drizzles beautifully over everything from pancakes to our famous butter cakes.
- No Artificial Ingredients – Unlike store-bought sauces, this homemade version is free from preservatives and artificial flavors, letting the real fruit shine.
- Versatile & Easy to Make – this coulis elevates any dish effortlessly.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Store it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for longer so you always have a burst of berry goodness ready to go.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
You will only need three simple ingredients for this delicious strawberry sauce!
- Strawberries – Fresh, ripe strawberries bring natural sweetness and vibrant color to the sauce. Their juicy texture blends smoothly into a silky coulis. You can use any berries for this recipe to create any variation of fruit coulis!
- Granulated Sugar – Enhances the strawberries’ natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, smooth consistency.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Adds a bright, fresh acidity that balances the sweetness and enhances the fruit’s natural flavor. You can also add or substitute with vanilla extract.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Strawberry Coulis
This easy strawberry coulis recipe comes together in minutes! It’s a great way to use loads of fresh berries during strawberry season.
Add the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a medium saucepan.
Cook the strawberries on medium heat until they are glossy and start to thicken with the sugar. The mixture should stick to the back of a wooden spoon.
Pour the strawberry mixture into your desired blending tool.
Blend the strawberries with an immersion blender (stick blender), a regular blender, or a food processor.
Blend in whichever blender you use until the cooked strawberries create a smooth sauce. The perfect consistency will vary based on your preference. Optional: you can use a fine mesh sieve to discard unwanted seeds.
FAQ’s
Coulis (pronounced koo-LEE) is a smooth, pureed sauce from fruits or vegetables. In this recipe, it’s a silky strawberry sauce perfect for drizzling over desserts, breakfast dishes, or even savory pairings!
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the Fruit – Use raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a different berry coulis.
- Sugar Alternatives – Replace granulated sugar with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar for a natural twist.
- Citrus Options – Try orange juice or lime juice instead of lemon for a unique flavor.
- Thicker Sauce – Simmer longer or add a cornstarch slurry (½ tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water).
- Flavor Boost – Add vanilla extract, balsamic vinegar, or a pinch of cinnamon for extra depth.
Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Instructions
- Make ahead – Prepare the coulis as directed, let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freeze – Pour into a freezer-safe container or ice cube trays and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw & Use – Defrost in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. Stir well before serving.
Pour this sweet sauce over your favorite dessert for the perfect touch! Try our chocolate sauce for a different variation!
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Use Ripe Strawberries – The sweeter the berries, the better the flavor! If they’re a bit tart, adjust the sugar to taste.
- Strain for Extra Smoothness – For a silky coulis, press it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds and pulp. This is optional!
- Balance the Sweetness – Taste and adjust the sugar or lemon juice to get the perfect sweet-tart balance.
- Don’t Overcook – Simmer just until the strawberries soften; overcooking can dull the fresh flavor.
- Chill for Best Texture – Let the coulis cool completely before serving for a thick, glossy finish.
Serving Suggestions
Drizzle this sweet coulis over butter cake, cheesecake, panna cotta, fluffy pancakes, Dutch baby pancakes, chocolate lava cakes, or vanilla ice cream for a fresh and vibrant fruit finish!
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Strawberry Coulis Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (or frozen, thawed)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar, adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional, for brightness
- 1-2 tablespoons water, as needed for consistency
Instructions
- Cook the strawberries – In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir occasionally and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the strawberries soften and release their juices.
- Blend for smoothness – Remove from heat and blend the mixture using an immersion blender directly in the saucepan, or transfer to a blender and process until smooth.
- Strain for extra smoothness (optional) – If you prefer a silky coulis, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing with a spoon to remove seeds and pulp.
- Adjust consistency – If too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and stir to combine. If too thin, return to the saucepan and simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened. Optional: for a thicker sauce – simmer longer or add a cornstarch slurry (½ tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water).
- Cool & store – Let the coulis cool to room temperature before using. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We just made this strawberry coulis to go with the butter cake recipe, and it is sensational!