This Quick and Easy Peach Compote is here for you when you want something simple, saucy and peachy to brighten up that boring bowl of oatmeal, plain scoop of vanilla ice cream or really just about anything else in your kitchen!
With only 4 wholesome ingredients, this recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes and delivers BIG fruit flavor to anything you choose to spoon it over. Pancakes, french toast, ice cream, yogurt, toast......this versatile peach compote is a delicious accompaniment to so many things.
Ready to get started? Let's make Peach Compote!
Why This Recipe Works
- This Peach Compote is easy to prepare. Simply cook peeled and chopped peaches with brown sugar and a pinch of salt. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and that's it!
- It is a no-fuss method for making the most of fresh OR frozen peaches. The compote is your simple solution to preserving the life of your fresh peaches without turning it into a complicated project OR to easily jazz up a bag of frozen peaches.
- This compote is INCREDIBLY versatile. Use it top pancakes, ice cream, waffles, oatmeal.....the options are endless!
The Ingredients
- Fresh, ripe peaches are sublime in this recipe, but you can also substitute frozen peaches. Simply allow the peaches to thaw enough so that you are able to cut them into smaller pieces before adding them to the recipe.
- Brown sugar and peaches are a wonderful combination, the brown sugar bringing subtle caramel-y flavors to the peach mixture. Granulated sugar, coconut sugar or honey would make excellent substitutions for the brown sugar.
- Salt is such an important ingredient in sweet recipes! Just a small amount provides a counterpoint to the sweetness and helps the flavors really pop.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice heightens and brightens the peach flavor, and adds a welcome bit of zing to the final product.
How to Make This Recipe
- Peel the peaches and remove the pit. Cut the flesh into ½ inch cubes.
- Transfer the peaches to a saucepan and add a pinch of salt and the brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to bubble.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook until the peaches are saucy and tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and add 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Taste the mixture and if you think it needs a little more zing, add the final teaspoon of lemon juice. Cool the mixture slightly before enjoying or allow the mixture to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
Expert Tips
- Use ripe peaches for best results. Unripe peaches are not as sweet, flavorful and juicy and will take longer to become tender as they cook.
- Add additional brown sugar to taste if desired. If you taste your compote and decide that it needs to be a little sweeter, simply add a little more brown sugar to taste, one tablespoon at a time.
FAQs
A compote is a fruit preserve that is cooked slowly over low heat in a sweet syrup. Typically compotes are not as sweet as jams or preserves and are more rustic in appearance, perhaps with some of the chunks of fruit remaining intact.
It will keep in the refrigerator tightly sealed in a jar or other container for about a week. For longer storage, spoon the cooled compote into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze it for up to two or three months.
Absolutely, simply allow them to thaw briefly so that you can easily cut them into smaller pieces. Proceed with the recipe as directed. You may need to add a little extra brown sugar to compensate for the fact that frozen peaches are not usually as sweet as fresh, ripe peaches. Simply give the compote a taste and add additional brown sugar one tablespoon at a time until the level of sweetness is to your liking.
Yes, granulated sugar, coconut sugar or honey would make excellent substitutions for the brown sugar.
See the variations section below for a couple of delicious ideas!
Variations
- Spiced Peach Compote: Add ¼ teaspoon of ground cardamom, ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract to the saucepan with the peaches and other ingredients in step 1. Proceed with the recipe as directed.
- Fresh Ginger Peach Compote: Add 4 or 5 thin slices of fresh ginger (no need to peel) to the saucepan with the peaches and other ingredients in step 1. Remove the slices of ginger before serving.
How to Serve Peach Compote
Once you have a jar of this peach compote in your refrigerator, the options are endless. A few suggestions:
- Layer it with yogurt and granola for a morning breakfast parfait (this is SO good....like peach crumble for breakfast)!
- Spoon on top of french toast, waffles or pancakes.
- Stir into your bowl of warm oatmeal or overnight oats with a splash of milk or cream.
- Sandwich in between two layers of vanilla cake with some pastry cream and top with whipped cream and fresh peaches. Peaches and cream cake!
- Spoon on top of vanilla ice cream (so simple and delicious).
- Use in place of jam or jelly on your morning toast
Related Recipes
Looking for more compote ideas? Give these delicious options a try:
This week, pick up a batch of peaches and give this one a try. I can't wait to hear how you choose to put it to use in your own kitchen!
Quick and Easy Peach Compote
Ingredients
- 6-8 ripe peaches about 2 ½ pounds
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed (more to taste)
- 2-3 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Peel the peaches and remove the pit. Cut the flesh into ½ inch cubes.
- Transfer the peaches to a saucepan and add a pinch of salt and the brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to bubble. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook until the peaches are saucy and tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Set aside to cool slightly. Serve or store tightly covered in the fridge for up to one week. Freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Use ripe peaches for best results. Unripe peaches are not as sweet, flavorful and juicy and will take longer to become tender as they cook.
- Add additional brown sugar to taste if desired. If you taste your compote and decide that it needs to be a little sweeter, simply add a little more brown sugar to taste, one tablespoon at a time.
- Spiced Peach Compote: Add ¼ teaspoon of ground cardamom, ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract to the saucepan with the peaches and other ingredients in step 1. Proceed with the recipe as directed.
- Fresh Ginger Peach Compote: Add 4 or 5 thin slices of fresh ginger (no need to peel) to the saucepan with the peaches and other ingredients in step 1. Remove the slices of ginger before serving.
Nutrition
If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Quick and Easy Peach Compote and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.
Kristi
So simple and delicious!