Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe With a Hint of Lemon (2024)

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This Blueberry Compote recipe is an incredibly easy blueberry sauce that tastes amazing on pancakes, cheesecake, cake, yogurt, pie, ice cream and scones.

Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe With a Hint of Lemon (1)

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Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe With a Hint of Lemon (2)

What is Compote?

Compote is a chunky sauce that is made of fruit stewed in juice, wine or syrup. It can either be sweet or savory and served warm or cold. Most often you will find compote served alongside dessert or breakfast.

Blueberry Compote vs Blueberry Syrup

Blueberry Compote and blueberry syrup are very similar to one another but with one main difference. The compote is chunky and the syrup has a smooth consistency. The smooth consistency is achieved by mashing the blueberries while cooking and then straining to remove the blueberry solids.

Ingredients Needed

  • Fresh or Frozen Blueberries (2 cups)
  • Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup)
  • Water
  • 1 lemon

How to Make Blueberry Compote

  1. In a heavy bottomed sauce pan bring sugar and water to a boil until sugar has melted.
  2. To the pan add blueberries, zest of 1 lemon and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
  3. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  4. Stirring occasionally simmer until blueberries have burst and sauce begins to thicken, about 10-12 minutes.
  5. Let cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

Serving Suggestions

Not only is this Compote easy to make, there are also so many wonderful ways to enjoy it. However, it is so tasty that eating it by itself is a treat in and of itself. Here are some of the best companions for this Compote.

  • Vanilla or Lemon Custard Ice Cream
  • Waffles
  • Italian Lemon Pound Cake
  • Pancakes
  • Vanilla Yogurt or Greek Yogurt
  • Oatmeal
  • Toast
  • On a Charcuterie Board
  • Lemon Scones
  • Lemon Bundt Cake or Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake
  • Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pie
  • Lemon Cheesecake

Variations

  • Instead of water use orange juice and orange zest instead of lemon.
  • Add fresh chopped mint the last few minutes of simmering.
  • Use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or vanilla bean instead of lemon.
  • Replace the water with orange liqueur, lower the sugar down to 1/4 cup and eliminate the lemon juice and zest.
  • Add 1/2-1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Also 1/8 teaspoon of cardamon and nutmeg.
  • 1 teaspoon of almond extract in place of the lemon would also be delicious.

Sugar Alternatives

Honey, brown sugar and maple syrup can easily replace the regular granulated sugar in equal parts. It is important to note however, powdered sugar should not be used for this recipe. Powdered sugar contains cornstarch which will cause the compote to become too thick.

For a lower sugar compote replace the sugar with 2 tablespoons of honey and use 2 tablespoons of water. Keep the other ingredients the same.

Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe With a Hint of Lemon (3)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this Compote be made in 5 minutes?

Maybe not 5 minutes but very close. To do so add all the ingredients to the pan at the same time and place the saucepan over medium/high heat. Bring to a boil until the blueberries burst and thicken making sure to stir frequently to ensure it does not scorch.

I do not recommend this method unless you are able to stand over the saucepan the entire time.

Why add lemon zest and juice?

Lemon zest brightens up the flavor of the blueberries and the acid from the lemon juice compliments the sweetness of the berries.

How should this Compote be stored and how long will it last?

Once the compote has cooled to room temperature, place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

For freezer storage, place in an airtight freezer container or bag. This Blueberry Compote will last for about 3 months in the freezer. When ready to use simply defrost in the refrigerator overnight.

Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe With a Hint of Lemon (4)

Blueberry Compote

Glossy and luxurious Blueberry Compote is incredibly easy to make and tops off pancakes, waffles and desserts beautifully.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiment, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Blueberry Compote, Blueberry Sauce, Blueberry Topping

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 65kcal

Author: Heather

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 cups blueberries *either fresh or frozen
  • 1 lemon zested
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  • In a heavy bottomed sauce pan bring sugar and water to a boil until sugar has melted.

  • To the pan add blueberries, zest of 1 lemon and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.

  • Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

  • Stirring occasionally simmer until blueberries have burst and sauce begins to thicken, about 8-12 minutes. See Note #1 Below

  • Let cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

Notes

Recipe Notes

Note #1- Frozen berries will take longer to cook whereas the fresh berries will be done around the 8 minute marker.

Note #2- See above in post for flavor and sweetness variations.

Nutrition

Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @thefedupfoodie or tag #thefedupfoodie!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura says

    Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe With a Hint of Lemon (5)
    You were so right! This recipe was very easy to make. I had made your Italian Lemon Cake and decided at the last minute to add this blueberry compote on top of the cake slices. It was so pretty and delicious.

    Reply

    • Heather says

      That sounds absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for the idea!!

  2. Kauka Akima-Noseworthy says

    Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe With a Hint of Lemon (6)
    Thank you for showing me how to make my first blueberry sauce. It was quite easy. It looks like its supposed to. It tastes great. Cant wait for it to cool and thicken, so I can post a photo. Aloha, from Oregon

    Reply

    • Heather says

      That is wonderful to hear. I hope you enjoy!

  3. Sheltra says

    Just curious, while the compost is still warm, this can go into a mason jar to cool, correct

    Reply

    • Heather says

      Yes, you can transfer the warm blueberry compote into a mason jar to cool. Just make sure to leave some space at the top of the jar to account for any expansion as it cools. If the jar hasn’t been sanitized for canning, treat the compote as perishable. Store it in the refrigerator and consume within a week for optimal safety, as proper sanitization is crucial for extended shelf life.

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Easy Blueberry Compote Recipe With a Hint of Lemon (2024)

FAQs

What does lemon juice do to blueberries? ›

That said, in the case of lemons and blueberries, the tartness of the citrus fruit works to balance the sweetness of the blueberries. It also neutralizes any of their bitterness to better enhance more subtle flavors.

How do you sweeten blueberries quickly? ›

Macerating—soaking or steeping in liquid and/or sweetener—is one of the easiest and fastest ways to doctor up sub-par berries. Toss them in sugar, honey, or maple syrup, along with a little fresh juice or alcohol (an herbal liqueur, like elderflower spirit, would be great).

How long does it take for compote to thicken? ›

Combine fruit, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Optional: Add cornstarch mixture to saucepan. Continue to boil until the berries break down and the compote has thickened to desired consistency, or about 2 to 3 minutes.

How long does berry compote last in the fridge? ›

Compote is not as thick as jam or jelly, and it's meant to be consumed relatively soon after making (it will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator). It's not designed to be canned or preserved for the months or years ahead.

Does lemon pair well with blueberries? ›

Lemon: At the very top of the list is sweet-tart blueberries and sharp lemon, an almost unbeatable combination. (But don't sleep on blueberries + other citrus flavors, including lime, orange and even grapefruit.)

Why add lemon juice to berries? ›

Not only does the lemon juice add just the right amount of acidity to balance out the sweetness of your strawberries, but the zest also provides plenty of pectin to set your jam.

What enhances the flavor of blueberries? ›

Cucumber Blueberry: A refreshing and unique flavor combination; cucumber combines with blueberries to make a cool summer treat perfect in salads or summer drinks. Citrusy and fresh green notes from cucumber helps to bring out the natural sweetness and fragrant floral notes in fresh blueberries.

How can I make my blueberries more flavorful? ›

The simplest is simply to macerate them with sugar. Mix the berries with a few tablespoons of sugar and some citrus zest. Blueberries pair well with lime but orange or lemon would work as well. You'll want to mash a few berries to release the juice but leave most of them whole.

How to make blueberries tastier? ›

Mixing a little coriander in with your blueberry desserts or pancakes will make the blueberries taste more, well, blueberry-y. And there's a scientific reason why.

What's the difference between jam and compote? ›

Jam is made from crushed or chopped fruit and sugar, and has a chunky texture. Jelly is made from fruit juice and sugar, and has a smooth, translucent texture. Compote is made from whole or large pieces of fruit that are cooked in a syrup made from sugar and water. It has a thicker texture than jelly.

What do you eat with berry compote? ›

Serve this frozen berry compote warm or chilled over pancakes, ice cream, yogurt, toast, waffles, oatmeal... endless possibilities and sure to please any palate.

How do you thicken berry compote without cornstarch? ›

The best way is to boil the sauce down until it's as thick as you want it, but it takes a lot of fruit to do it that way. There are other thickeners: tapioca starch, potato starch, agar, various kinds of grain and bean flour, pectin.

Can you buy Berry compote? ›

Opies Summer Berry Compote360g

Intensely fruity and full of sweet possibilities, this is an adored staple in any discerning kitchen.

Should compote be cold? ›

Compotes are delicious served all by themselves as a dessert at the end of a meal. They are usually served warm but are sometimes chilled.

Can you eat week old berries? ›

Store your berries in the fridge, and they should stay good for up to two weeks! Once the berries have finished soaking, drain the water from the bowl and pat the berries dry with a paper towel. Then, transfer them to a glass storage container and store them in the fridge until you're ready to eat!

How long to soak berries in lemon juice? ›

Rinse the berries, gently, without soaking them. Hull the strawberries and halve them lengthwise. Put all the berries in a bowl, pour in the lemon juice, add the sugar, then toss gently. Allow to stand 10 min.

Does lemon juice help preserve berries? ›

Sometimes lemon juice or other citrus fruit solutions are used to control browning, but they are not as effective as treatment with ascorbic acid. Sugar and sugar syrup also help to prevent browning, but they do not prevent it entirely.

What makes blueberries taste better? ›

Peak Ripeness

Another reason U-Pick Blueberries taste better than store-bought berries is because you can choose to pick the most ripe ones. Fully ripened to perfection blueberries are dark blue with a light white, cloudy coating called the “bloom” around them. This coating is completely natural and safe.

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