Homemade Strawberry Syrup Recipe

This super simple homemade strawberry syrup recipe is a go-to in the spring and summer, when I have a bad habit of buying huge flats of strawberries every week at the farmer’s market. It’s also fantastic in the dead of winter, when I can’t stand another apple or pear flavored anything and I can whip this up with the frozen berries I’ve squirreled away in the freezer.

And it really is very easy to create a smooth, silky sauce. You’ll need just 4 super simple ingredients and about 20 minutes of your time, so it can even be whipped up fresh for those brunch pancakes or that slice of cheesecake you’re about to indulge in.

Why This Recipe Works

• Fresh or Frozen Berries – You can thaw freezer strawberries or use fresh ones, both work beautifully.
• Can be stored easily – Keep it in the fridge for 2 weeks, freezer for 3 months, or water bath can it for up to 1 year.
• Powerful flavor – This isn’t overly sweet or lemony. The ingredients work to enhance and balance intense strawberry flavor.
• Versatile uses – We’ve used this for ice cream, cocktails, Italian cream sodas, topping cheesecake or fried cheesecake bites, on top of homemade wheat waffles, sheet pan pancakes, buckwheat pancakes, and many other baked goods.

Ingredients & Substitutions

I always wonder if water counts as an ingredient, but rather than argue about this being a 3 ingredient recipe, I call it 4 and you get the bonus of one of them being free and readily available. The rest are just as easy.

• Strawberries – Use the freshest, most flavorful berries you can get your hands on. In the spring or summer, stop at the farmers market for the best ones. In the off season, frozen berries will be your best bet.
• Sugar – I recommend a white sugar for this. I go with cane or standard granulated. Others will work, but will also affect the flavor.
• Lemon juice – Technically you can make strawberry syrup without lemon, but I 1000% percent recommend it. It balances out the sweetness with just enough tang to enhance the flavor. It is also absolutely ESSENTIAL if you plan on canning the syrup. The acid is what makes it safe.
• Water – Just, you know, water.

Wondering how to pick and store your strawberries? Check out my guide on summer berries for lots of fun facts and helpful hints.

Step by Step Instructions

In order to make a silky smooth strawberry syrup, you’ll need a blender or food processor, a fine mesh strainer, a saucepan, and about 20 minutes of time.

PART 1 – PREP YOUR BERRIES

To begin you’ll need to hull your strawberries. That simply means to remove the core and leaves. Use a paring knife to cut down in a circle around the leaves, like you’re carving a cone from the top. That leaves the most flesh intact but removes the core.

If you’re not confident with a knife, a melon baller does a marvelous job too!

For frozen berries either thaw them in advance or microwave them at half power for a few minutes until they’re very soft. Do not discard any liquid that appears as they thaw.

PART 2 – BREAK DOWN THE BERRIES

Place the berries and the water into a blender or food processor. Blend just until the berries are broken down and you have a red, pulpy liquid.

For frozen berries, add the excess liquid from thawing in with the berries and water as well.

PART 3 – STRAIN THE SEEDS

Set a fine mesh sieve over a pot and pour in the strawberry puree. Stir and work the puree through the sieve until all the juice has been collected in the pot.

You should have a thick, seedy paste left in the sieve when it’s all done. Discard that.

PART 4 – COOK UNTIL THICKENED

Add the sugar and lemon juice in with the strained strawberry liquid. Place the pot over medium heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, reducing the heat if necessary to prevent scorching. Stir every minute or two for about 8-10 minutes. The syrup is done when it coats the back of a spoon without immediately draining off. You should be able to run a finger through it and see the trail. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

How to Store Homemade Strawberry Syrup

You have three options for storing your syrup – the fridge, freezer, or canning it.

For fridge or freezer storage transfer it to a clean jar and let it cool on the counter. If you’re going to freeze it, make sure you leave 1-2″ of head space between the rim of the jar and the syrup to allow for expansion (no broken jars please!)

Place on the lid and transfer it to the fridge for up to 2 weeks. For the freezer, place the jar in and let it freeze, then seal it.

If you’d like to can this for long-term shelf stable storage then I recommend doubling the batch to make it worth your time. Then follow the steps in my how to water bath can guide so you know it’s safely sealed for when you’re ready.