Quick and Easy Strawberry Coulis recipe

This quick and easy homemade strawberry coulis is perfect for drizzling over desserts like cheesecakes, waffles, panna cotta, pancakes, or ice cream. This easy 3 ingredient strawberry sauce preserves your strawberries during the season.

I rarely purchase strawberries when they’re out of season because they tend to be loaded with pesticides and lack flavour. That’s why I eagerly await the arrival of strawberry season, where I can savor their delicious taste and reap their numerous benefits. While the best strawberries are picked in the forest, they are usually quite scarce. Fortunately, in my area, we have strawberry farms where visitors can pick their own strawberries and settle the payment upon departure. I adore these farm-fresh strawberries as they’re super fresh, full of flavor, and I can choose the best ones. However, since I only make one or two visits during the season, I end up with many strawberries that need to be used quickly. To make the most of them, I make jams, freeze them, and preserve them in cans, but the easiest is preparing coulis! That’s why I love this strawberry coulis recipe.

What is Strawberry Coulis or Sauce?

The word “coulis” is derived from the French word “couler,” which translates to “runny” in English. This term accurately describes the texture and consistency of coulis, a thin and smooth sauce made from pureed fruits. It has a vibrant red color, typically sweetened to enhance the natural strawberry taste. Coulis can be made from vegetables or fruits. While fruit coulis serves as a drizzle for various desserts, vegetable coulis helps complement meat and is a base for soups. 

3 Ingredients to make the easy strawberry coulis

Fresh Strawberries:

Choose ripe and flavorful strawberries free of any pesticides to get the best flavors.

Sugar (or sweetener of choice):

Adding sugar helps enhance the strawberries’ sweetness and balance any tartness. Since I didn’t cook the coulis, I used powdered sugar, as granulated sugar would not dissolve correctly. You can omit or adjust the amount if you feel your strawberries are sweet enough or use other sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. You can adjust the sugar content to your taste.

Lemon Juice:

A small amount of lemon juice adds a bright and tangy flavor to the coulis. It helps balance the sweetness and adds a refreshing element.

How to Make Strawberry Coulis?

This recipe originates in France. However, on the internet, you’ll find many recipes that strain the strawberries after blending so the coulis is seedless. Some other sites also simmer the mixture, turning it into a sauce rather than a coulis as per French cuisine. 

First step: Prepare the strawberries

Wash the strawberries thoroughly and remove the stems. Slice them into smaller pieces for easier blending.

Second step: Blend the strawberries

Use an immersion blender to puree the fruit sauce. Blend until smooth and pureed.

Third step: Adjust the taste

Transfer the blended strawberry puree into a bowl and add sugar and lemon juice to taste. Start with a small amount, then gradually add more if desired. 

Fourth step: Transfer and store

Transfer and store in a container. Refrigerate until ready to use—Voilà le coulis. 

Modification

When researching this recipe, I discovered differences between French and American cuisines. While many Americans prefer to strain the strawberries after blending to create a seedless coulis, the French maintain a more textured coulis that doesn’t require straining. In addition, many sites tend to simmer the mixture, giving it a more saucy consistency than a traditional coulis. 

Since this recipe originates from France, I prefer the traditional French approach to making strawberry coulis, which does not involve straining or simmering the mixture.

If you prefer the American version, here are the steps you need to follow:

After the second step, Strain the strawberries after blending using a fine mesh sieve or strainer. Pour the strawberry puree into the sieve to remove any seeds or pulp, resulting in a smoother coulis.

After the third step, simmer the coulis: Pour the mixture into a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Simmer gently for a few minutes until the strawberries are softened, and the sugar dissolves completely. It will take about 10 minutes to thicken the coulis slightly.

It should coat the back of a spoon for perfect consistency. Also, remember to let it cool, as the sauce will thicken as it cools.

Variations:

• Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or scrape the seeds from a vanilla bean to add a lovely vanilla flavor.
• Include a handful of fresh mint leaves when pureeing the strawberries for a refreshing twist.
• Drizzle a small amount of balsamic vinegar that nicely complements strawberries with its tangy and slightly sweet flavor.
• Sprinkle in a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or a blend of warm spices to add a cozy and aromatic element.
• Besides lemon juice, you can experiment with other citrus flavors like orange juice, zest, or mandarin. 
• Combine different berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries with the strawberries to create a mixed berry coulis. 

How to Store Simple Strawberry Coulis

Transfer the smooth strawberry sauce to a clean airtight container, such as a glass jar or a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, and place it in the refrigerator for up to one week.

If you want to store it for longer, freeze it. Pour the sauce into a freezer-safe container or ice tray. You can keep it in a freezer for several months. To use it, defrost it in the fridge or on the counter for an hour or two before using it.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Absolutely! You can use fresh or frozen strawberries for this recipe. You can also combine them. But be careful, as frozen strawberries may contain more liquid than fresh ones, your colors may become too runny.  

Can I make this sauce recipe without an immersion blender?

Strawberries are soft and easy to blend, so you can pour the mixture into a blender or a food processor instead. For a chunkier texture, use a potato masher or fork.

How to use strawberry coulis in dessert recipes?

Add a generous drizzle over a slice of cheesecake or other desserts like pancakes or waffles.

Alternatively, incorporate a strawberry mixture into your baking recipes like this vegan strawberry cake. You can also fold it into a muffin or cake batter.

What to do with the leftover fruit from Strawberry Sauce?

Blend the leftover fruit with yogurt or milk into strawberry milk

You can also use a dairy-free alternative to make this vegan strawberry milk. You can also add additional fruits, such as bananas or berries.

Combine it with fresh fruits like berries, melons, or citrus to make a refreshing fruit salad. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a drizzle of honey for extra flavor.

Use the leftover fruit as a topping for plain or frozen yogurt.

Pair it with a scoop of homemade strawberry ice cream, and add some whipped cream, nuts, or chocolate sauce for an extra indulgence.

How Do You adjust desired consistency of your Strawberry Coulis?

Add one tablespoon of water, simple syrup, or fruit juice if your delicious strawberry sauce is too thick.

If it is too thin and you’d like to thicken it, transfer the coulis to a saucepan and simmer it over low heat. This allows the excess moisture to evaporate, and the coulis will thicken.