This easy mixed berry compote can be made with fresh or frozen berries and makes for an excellent topping for pancakes, ice cream, yogurt and many other dishes! Ready in 15 minutes!
3cupsmixed frozen berriescan also use fresh berries
⅛teaspoonkosher salta pinch, adjust to taste
½teaspoonfresh lemon zest
3tablespoonsfresh lemon juicerequired if using fresh berries, optional for frozen berries!
Instructions
Using Frozen Berries
Add frozen berries, salt, and fresh lemon zest to a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. You can also add fresh lemon juice to further infuse the flavor, but there will be enough liquid from the frozen berries if you want to skip the lemon juice!
Cook the berries, stirring occasionally, so the mixture doesn't stick to the bottom. It will release moisture first, and then eventually come to a rapid boil once there's enough moisture in the saucepan.
Continue to cook, stirring constantly when it starts boiling. At this point, it'll reduce in volume and start to thicken (anywhere between 5 and 10 minutes) - your berry compote is ready!
Using Fresh Berries
Wash and remove the stems of approximately three cups of berries. If using larger fruits, try to get them into even sizes so they cook better! For instance, I slice my strawberries in halves.
Add the berries along with lemon juice, salt and lemon zest to a medium-sized sauce pan.
Use a masher or the back of a spatula to mash down the fruits so they start releasing some of their juices as well.
Cook the berries on medium heat, stirring occasionally until they come to a rapid boil. Then, continue to cook, stirring constantly, so it starts to thicken. Your berry compote is ready! Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
Notes
Choice of berries: I tend to use a blend of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. But you can use any berries of your choice!
Role of lemon juice: When using fresh berries, lemon juice helps create enough moisture for the berries to cook down. However, frozen berries have sufficient moisture already so you don't technically need to add lemon juice (and note that it'll take a bit longer to cook the moisture out). But it does add a nice acidic note!
Additional sweetness: I always recommend tasting the compote before you take it off the stove to make sure it's to your desired sweetness. If it's too tart, you can add sugar, honey or monkfruit granules to sweeten it further!