Craving a homemade strawberry syrup that's way better than the store-bought stuff? Look no further! This easy recipe is made with fresh, juicy strawberries and a touch of simple syrup.
It's the perfect strawberry syrup for pancakes, waffles, french toast, buttermilk biscuits, and cocktails. And if you're feeling fancy, try it as a drizzle on your favorite dessert. All you need are a few pantry staples and a little bit of time to simmer them up. Trust me, the homemade flavor is totally worth it!
Hungry for more breakfast ideas? Explore our other delicious breakfast recipes and discover some new favorites.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Homemade Strawberry Syrup Recipe is... it's simple and versatile.
You can make this homemade syrup recipe with fresh berries picked at the peak of strawberry season, or frozen strawberries.
Breakfast - It's the perfect topping for pancakes, waffles, French toast.
Cocktails - Mojitos, strawberry margaritas
Desserts - Use homemade strawberry syrup on your favorite desserts like, strawberry shortcake, cheesecake, chocolate lava cake, and ice cream.
Easy to make - This strawberry syrup recipe is simple and straightforward, requiring minimal effort and ingredients.
No preservatives - This homemade strawberry syrup is free from artificial additives and preservatives, making it a healthier option.
Bonus: We'll show you how to combine other types of fresh fruit with a basic simple syrup recipe to create different variations.
Here's What You'll Need
- fresh strawberries (or frozen strawberries) - Washed, hulled (see note below), and chopped. Gently wash whole strawberries and lay them out on a clean towel or paper towel to dry. Hull them by removing the green stem and white middle core of each berry. Chop the strawberries into small pieces.
Pro Tip: You also can use a food processor or immersion blender to make a strawberry puree.
- granulated sugar - Granulated sugar combines with the natural sugars in the berries. Using less sugar than this recipe calls for will result in a less sweet, thinner final product. May substitute honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar for a different flavor.
- water - The water is used to make a simple syrup, which is basically liquid sugar. For this recipe, we use a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water.
Another common simple syrup ratio is 1:1, which uses an equal amount of sugar and water. Reducing the amount of water in this recipe will result in a sweeter, thicker final product.
- lemon juice (optional) - Adds an acidic brightness to the flavor. You may substitute orange juice or omit it altogether. May also add lemon peels for extra flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Optional Add-Ins
- cornstarch - Cornstarch is a thickening agent that can be added if it seems like it has too much liquid.
Pro Tip: Whisk a few teaspoons of cornstarch into cold water for this recipe. The water must be cold for the cornstarch to dissolve without creating lumps.
- vanilla extract - Vanilla extract's mellow, sweet flavor is often used to enhance flavors in cooking and baking.
More Flavored Simple Syrups
Variations - This recipe is made up of 2 basic ingredients: fresh berries + simple syrup. You can easily use this basic combination to create other flavored simple syrups. Here are some ideas:
- blackberry
- blueberry
- cherry
- dragon fruit
- mango
- melon
- multiple berry
- pineapple
- prickly pear
- raspberry
- watermelon
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How To Hull Strawberries
Hulling is the process of removing the hull or calyx of the strawberry. The hull is also known as the "cap" and it is the green stem and little white part at the top of the strawberry where it forms.
Hull fresh strawberries by removing the green stem and white middle core of each berry. Hold the strawberry in the fingers of one hand and use a pairing knife to cut out the hull, leaving the shoulders or top of the strawberry intact.
How to Make Strawberry Syrup
Step 1. Make Simple Syrup. Combine sugar and water in a medium sauce pot and bring that to a low boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves.
Pro Tip: Lower the heat to medium temperature and watch it so that it doesn't boil over.
Step 2. Add Strawberries and Reduce. Add chopped strawberries and lemon juice (optional) and simmer over low heat.
Reduce - Simmer until it has evaporated somewhat and has reduced by half and is of a syrupy consistency.
Cooking time will vary depending on the cooking temperature, but reducing the liquid will generally take about 20-30 minutes.
Step 3. Create Desired Syrupy Consistency.
Chunkier Sauce - Leave the fruit pulp for a more chunky end product. Use a potato masher to create uniform chunky consistency.
Smooth Syrup - Run it through a fine mesh sieve to create a smooth syrup. Place the sieve over a large bowl and carefully pour it into the sieve. Use a large spoon to press the fruit pulp through the sieve, leaving a smooth syrup in the bowl.
Step 4. Serving.- Pour it into a serving dish or an airtight container for storage.
Pro Tip: Use the fruit pulp remaining in the sieve as a delicious strawberry fruit spread for sandwiches or baking. It will have a slightly thicker consistency than jam.
Recipe FAQS
It will last about 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
You can freeze it in a freezer safe container. Freeze smaller portions in an ice cube tray, pop the cubes out of the tray when frozen and store the cubes in a freezer bag for convenient use.
No, grenadine is actually made from pomegranate juice with strawberry flavoring.
How To Use Strawberry Syrup
Serving Suggestions - Serve this fresh strawberry syrup with buttermilk pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and drinks.
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Strawberry Syrup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Flavoring
- 1 lb fresh strawberries chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice optional
Instructions
Make Rich Simple Syrup
- Simple Syrup. Combine sugar and water in a medium sauce pot and bring that to a low boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves. Lower the heat to medium temperature and watch it so that it doesn't boil over.2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup water
Add Flavoring
- Add Strawberries and Reduce. Add chopped strawberries and lemon juice to the simple syrup and simmer over low heat until the berries have cooked down and the simple syrup has evaporated and been reduced by half and is of a syrupy consistency.The cooking time will vary depending on the cooking temperature, but reducing the liquid will generally take about 20-30 minutes.1 lb fresh strawberries, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Finish Syrup
- Create Desired Syrupy Consistency.Chunkier Sauce- Leave the fruit pulp in the syrup for a more chunky end product. Use a potato masher to create uniform chunky consistency.Smooth Syrup - Run the cooked syrup through a fine mesh sieve to create a smooth syrup. Place the sieve over a large bowl and carefully pour the syrup into the sieve. Use a large spoon to press the fruit pulp through the sieve, leaving a smooth syrup in the bowl.Serving - Pour the finished strawberry syrup into a serving dish or an airtight container for storage.Pro Tip: Use the fruit pulp remaining in the sieve as a delicious strawberry fruit spread for sandwiches or baking. It will have a slightly thicker consistency than jam.
Russ B says
Awesome on pancakes!
Seanna Borrows says
So delicious!
Annie Taylor says
So easy...and absolutely delicious Seanna! We had this on waffles and it was incredible.
Seanna Borrows says
Thanks Annie! Makes me so happy to hear!