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? ›

The tartness of lemon provides a bright and zesty contrast to the sweetness of blueberries. Lemon can enhance the flavor of blueberries by adding a touch of acidity that brings out their natural sweetness. Both lemon and blueberry are versatile flavors that can be used in a variety of dishes, from sweet to savory.

Why is my blueberry compote not thickening? ›

For a thicker and chunkier blueberry compote, almost like pie filling texture, remove the fruits about ⅔ of the way through the cooking time and allow the liquid to reduce by half. When you add the fruits back in, take it off the heat, it will thicken up further as it cools.

What is blueberry compote made of? ›

Combine 1 cup of the blueberries, water, sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Cook over a medium heat for about 10 minutes.

How to make blueberries more flavorful? ›

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.

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.

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.)

What is the difference between blueberry 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.

How do you thicken fruit compote without cornstarch? ›

5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes
  1. All-Purpose Flour. Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. ...
  2. Arrowroot Powder. If you happen to have this starch on hand, you're in luck: It has the same thickening power as cornstarch, and it creates a beautiful, shiny sauce. ...
  3. Potato Starch. ...
  4. Rice Flour. ...
  5. Tapioca Starch.
Jun 23, 2023

How do you make blueberries bigger and sweeter? ›

The fruit size and sweetness increase very quickly at the end of the ripening process. Ensuring that your blueberry plants are grown in acidic soil and keeping them fertilized annually will also help to sweeten the blueberries.

Is compote healthier than jam? ›

Additionally, jam on average contains 50% or more sugar whereas compote is 15% or less. This makes compote the healthier of the two to indulge in, but it must be taken into account that people generally eat significantly less jam than they do compote in their dishes.

What are the benefits of blueberry compote? ›

Benefits of Blueberry compote: It helps to prevent diarrhea Help against infections in the mouth, teeth and throat Improves hemorrhoides and colitis Normalizes blood circulation, helps improve blood circulation in the eyes and blood pressure.

How long does homemade compote last? ›

Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To keep compotes for longer, freeze, in batches, in plastic containers so you can defrost only as much as you need. Spices Oriental flavours such as star anise, ginger and cardamom are fantastic for fruit with a rich flavour, such as plums and berries.

What happens when you add sugar to blueberries? ›

The process of adding sugar (or in some cases, a splash of liqueur for additional flavor) to fruit and letting it steep over time is known as maceration. In addition to enhancing their natural sweetness, macerating amplifies berries' natural flavor.

What do coffee grounds do for blueberries? ›

Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.

What happens if you add baking soda to blueberries? ›

Blueberries turn greenish-blue in a batter that has too much baking soda (or grey in a smoothie with a lot of dairy), which creates an alkaline environment. That's why mixing a little lemon juice into your batter or smoothie will give you a more vibrant color.

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? ›

While it sounds like adding lemon juice to your fruit salad might make it bitter, the natural antioxidants found in citric acid protect the diced fruit. Putting extra pieces of citrus fruit, or adding lime, orange, and pineapple juice on top can help extend the life of your fruits.

Are lemon peels good for blueberries? ›

Blueberry watering - mix vinegar or lemon peel to acidify water.

Why do you put lemon in fruit? ›

A few squeezes of juice can do wonders for avocados, apples, bananas, and peeled raw potatoes, since lemon juice is just acidic enough to prevent the oxidation that turns produce brown. According to past research, this happens because of ascorbic acid.

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