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Close up of Strawberry Rhubarb Compote in a jar with a spoon.

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote (Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce)

A sweet and tangy fruit compote (sauce) featuring strawberries and rhubarb. Perfect on oatmeal, toast, ice cream....just about anything!
5 from 5 votes
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Course: sauce
Cuisine: Nordic, Scandinavian
Keyword: how to make compote, rhubarb compote recipe, strawberry compote recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Servings: 12 servings (1 and a ½ cups
Calories: 49kcal
Author: Kristi

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh strawberries hulled and halved if small, quartered if large
  • 2 cups chopped rhubarb stalks fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients except vanilla bean in a medium saucepan.
  • Using a small knife, slice down one side of the vanilla bean lengthwise so that it opens like a book.  Using the back of the knife, scrape the black seeds from the inside of the split vanilla bean pod and place in the saucepan.  Add the pod as well.
  • Stir everything together.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat, reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until fruit is bubbly, extremely soft and falling apart, about 20-25 minutes.
  • Using a potato masher or the back of a fork, lightly mash the fruit mixture until it is a jam-like consistency.  Remove the vanilla pod. Allow to cool or serve warm, if desired. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

Variations:
  • Spiced: Add ground cinnamon, cardamom and/or ground ginger to the compote as it cooks to give it a little warm spice.
  • Fresh Ginger: Add a few cut slices of fresh ginger to the compote mixture as it cooks. Be sure to remove them before serving!
  • Lemon: Add the zest of one lemon and up to a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice for a bright, citrusy twist.
  • Honey or Maple Syrup: Replace the sugar with a natural liquid sweetener such as honey or maple syrup.
  • Mixed Berry: Add a combination of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and/or raspberries in place of using all strawberries.
  • Roasted: Cook it in the oven instead of on the stovetop! Simply place all the ingredients in a rectangular glass baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes. Give the mixture a stir and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Mash as directed in the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg