This rich and sweet homemade strawberry syrup recipe uses only natural ingredients and fresh strawberries. Just 3 simple ingredients and ready in 15 minutes, it’s perfect for strawberry milk and as a topping for so many other delicious desserts!
My homemade Hershey’s chocolate syrup recipe has been one of the most popular posts on this site for years. It has a completely different flavor, but it recently struck me that my easy strawberry syrup recipe made with fresh fruit would be a perfect companion to it.
After all, strawberry milk made with strawberry powder (or a plastic bottle of high fructose corn syrup laden dessert syrup) is delicious. I get why anyone would love it – especially kids!
But I bet I know the real reason why you’re using store-bought syrups with artificial flavors and sweetened mix-ins for milk. It’s because you don’t know exactly how easy it is to make your own, homemade strawberry syrup.
I’m positive that making it from scratch (with this simple strawberry syrup recipe) is going to make you a homemade strawberry milk that will knock your socks off.
It’s like a million times better than anything you can buy at the grocery store!
Love strawberries? Check out my delicious strawberry basil margarita recipe and my strawberry lemonade popsicles!
Why you’ll love this strawberry syrup recipe:
- It’s easy. Just 3 basic ingredients and 15 minutes of cooking will give you this delicious syrup.
- It’s versatile. You can use it in so many different ways to make or jazz up so many different foods and drinks.
- It’s kid-friendly.
- It’s made with real, natural ingredients: fresh strawberries, sugar, and water.
Equipment needed to make this recipe for strawberry syrup
This recipe is so easy, you’re just going to need some basic kitchen tools and equipment to make it.
- 1/2 cup measuring cup
- Liquid measuring cup
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Fine mesh strainer
- Jar or resealable container for storage
Ingredients for strawberry syrup
- Ripe strawberries
- Granulated sugar
- Water
How to make strawberry syrup from scratch
Note: This is an explanation of the techniques needed to make this syrup recipe. Scroll down to the bottom of the article to get the full, easy recipe for fresh strawberry syrup with step-by-step instructions.
The basic method for making this syrup is to cook fresh berries in water and sugar until they’re very mushy. Then, you press the cooked strawberries through a fine-mesh strainer so you get of the strawberry juice and the best parts of the berry into the syrup while leaving the seeds behind.
I never have leftover strawberries when I use this recipe, but you might! Try this strawberry mousse recipe if you’re looking for another delicious way to serve them. If you’re looking for more pretty pink recipes, these cherry blossom cookies are beautiful!
Because of this, it’s best to cut up your strawberries into very small chunks. They’ll break down even more when they cook, and you’ll have less work when it’s time to strain them through a sieve.
First, you should start with chopped strawberries in small pieces. Then, add them to a sauce pan and cover them with white sugar and water and let it all cook for 10-15 minutes. You’ll start cooking over medium-high heat so the sugar dissolves, then finish it on low heat while you let it reduce and thicken.
Even though you’re not using a food processor, it will look almost like a strawberry puree.
Your last step is to pour the mixture into a bowl through a fine mesh sieve. Using the back of a spoon, you’ll push the strawberry pulp through until only the solids remain in the strainer basket. You’re left with a smooth syrup with tons of fresh strawberry flavor.
Once you’ve let the syrup cool to room temperature you can use the syrup for anything you want!
How to use your easy homemade strawberry syrup:
It’s a mix-in! It’s a topping! It’s an ingredient!
I have lots of ideas for using your delicious syrup. Here are just a few:
- Mix it with white milk to make strawberry milk.
- Use it as strawberry pancake syrup when you swap out your maple syrup.
- Make the best breakfast when you drizzle it over waffles or french toast.
- Swap out your plain simple syrup. Use it as a strawberry simple syrup in your favorite drinks and co*cktail recipes (like my strawberry basil margarita or strawberry lemonade)
- Mix it into vanilla icing or whipped cream for any dessert recipe (especially a Valentine’s Day dessert).
- Pour the homemade strawberry sauce over a bowl of vanilla ice cream.
How to store homemade strawberry syrup
Store your sweet syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 3-5 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for 3 months.
I like to keep the syrup in a glass mason jar in my fridge, but I’ll put it in a plastic storage container if I’m freezing it.
How to thaw frozen strawberry syrup
Take your container of frozen syrup from your freezer storage and put it in the refrigerator. Let it thaw overnight (5-15 hours). It may have separated while defrosting, so you’ll need to mix it up again. Shake it in the container or stir the syrup really well to re-mix the liquids and the solids.
Other great recipes
I have a few other drink recipes that make delicious drinks, toppings and treats! Check these out:
- Learn how to make homemade Pedialyte to save money and trips to the store.
- This homemade electrolyte drink is a great way to hydrate!
- This apple pie filling recipe is another great dessert and breakfast topping!
Strawberry syrup recipe FAQ
Can I use frozen strawberries in this recipe?
Yes. Just be sure your frozen berries are unsweetened. You also may not have to slice them after thawing, depending on how soft they are.
Is strawberry syrup healthy?
This recipe is made with fresh, natural ingredients and it doesn’t have any artificial flavors, colors or dyes. But it does have added sugar. Please read the recipe card below to review the nutritional content of this fruit syrup and choose if it’s the right recipe for you.
Is this strawberry syrup recipe organic?
It’s not organic as written, but it can easily be an organic strawberry syrup recipe by using organic strawberries and organic sugar.
Yield: 1 cup
Strawberry syrup recipe
Homemade strawberry syrup recipe made with just three ingredients.
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine the chopped strawberries, sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often, until mixture has thickened and strawberries are very soft.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and carefully pour the hot strawberries into the strainer. Let it strain for a few minutes, then use a spoon or fork to push the pulp against the mesh. Let the mixture sit in the strainer a few more minutes, then repeat pushing the berries against the mesh until the juice has been extracted.
- Let the syrup cool, then transfer to an airtight container for storage.
Notes
Refrigerate cooled syrup for 3-5 days or freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
2 tablespoons
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 62Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 0g
