This Strawberry Sauce recipe is the perfect topping for waffles, cheesecakes and so much more! Made with just 5 simple ingredients, this sauce couldn’t be easier to make!

strawberry sauce in a clear jar with strawberries around it

Homemade Strawberry Topping

Few things are more perfect for topping your favorite treats than a delicious strawberry sauce! It takes an average breakfast or dessert and immediately makes it feel more special. I personally love to pile it on!

The sauce is made with cornstarch to help thicken it and lemon juice to balance and enhance the strawberry flavor, as well as aid in thickening because of the pectin in it. It’s not too thick and no too thin, but you can also control the texture by cooking it more or less. I like to leave the sauce chunky, but feel free to puree it after cooking it to smooth it out, if you prefer.

vanilla cheesecake on white plate with strawberry sauce on top and in a jar in the background

Strawberry Sauce Ingredients

This strawberry sauce recipe is so easy to make. It uses just a handful of ingredients, all of which you likely have on hand!

Water
Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce.
Sugar: This brings out the strawberry flavor and sweetens up your sauce.
Lemon Juice: Use fresh rather than bottled lemon juice.
Strawberries: You’ll need a full pound of strawberries. To pick the best ones, I like to smell them and if you can very clearly smell their sweetness, they should be good.

Strawberry sauce ingredients on marble table

How to Make Easy Strawberry Sauce

This sauce is made right on the stove in just a few minutes.

Combine Cornstarch & Water: In a small bowl, whisk together the water and the cornstarch. Set aside.
Heat Sugar, Lemon Juice, Strawberries & Cornstarch Mixture: Combine the sugar, lemon juice, strawberries and cornstarch mixture in a medium-sized saucepan. Stir to combine.
Cook Mixture: Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, while the sugar melts and the strawberries start to release their juice. You can mash up the strawberries a bit as they cook if you don’t want the sauce as chunky.
Boil Until Thickened: Allow the mixture to slowly come to a boil, then boil for one minute. Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken as it cools, so if it seems like it’s getting fairly thick, you may want to remove it from the heat sooner so that you don’t over thicken it. The juiciness of your berries may vary.
Cool and Serve: Remove sauce from heat and allow to cool. Serve the sauce warm or cold over pancakes, waffles, cheesecakes, etc or refrigerate until ready to use later.

whisking water and cornstarch together in measuring cup — Combine.

pouring lemon juice into pan filled with strawberries and sugar — Combine.

Ways to Use Strawberry Topping

There are so many great ways to use this strawberry sauce. Here are some of my favorite things to serve it with!

Classic Vanilla Cheesecake and New York Cheesecake
No Bake Cheesecake and No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
Mini Cheesecakes
As a topping for Angel Food Cake or Angel Food Cake Cupcakes
Serve with Strawberry Shortcake
Use with waffles, pancakes, sheet pan pancakes or french toast casserole
With Flourless Chocolate Cake

How to Store

This sauce should be stored in an airtight jar or container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to a week. If you want to warm up your sauce after it’s been refrigerated, you can easily do so in the microwave.

chunky strawberry sauce dripping off a spoon into clear jar

How to Make Strawberry Sauce

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