Macerated Strawberries
These naturally sweet macerated strawberries and blueberries come together in minutes with fresh fruit, maple syrup, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla. They're delicious spooned over waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, nice cream, and more.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 54kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup orange juice (one squeezed orange)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or agave nectar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Wash the fruit. Rinse the strawberries and blueberries in a colander under cool running water. Wash the orange as well, since you'll be using the zest.
- Remove the stems and slice the strawberries into bite-sized pieces.
- Finely grate the orange zest until you have about 1 teaspoon. Then cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice into a small bowl or measuring cup (about ¼ cup). A citrus juicer will help remove the seeds.
- Place the sliced strawberries and blueberries in a quart-sized mason jar or other airtight container. Pour the orange juice, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and orange zest over the berries.
- Mix gently. Secure the lid and gently shake the jar until the berries are evenly coated with the juices. Avoid shaking too vigorously, as you want the berries to hold their shape.
- Let the berries macerate. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the berries to soften slightly and release their natural juices.
- Spoon the macerated berries and their delicious juices over waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, nice cream, or your favorite dessert.
Video
Notes
Helpful Tip: Step-by-step photos are included above to guide you through the recipe and make it easy to follow. There are also FAQs, variations, and serving suggestions.
Why Would You Macerate Berries?
Macerating berries is a simple technique that brings out their natural sweetness and creates a delicious, syrupy sauce without cooking. As the berries rest with maple syrup and fresh orange juice, they release their juices, soften slightly, and become even more flavorful. The result is a vibrant fruit topping that's perfect for breakfast, snacks, and desserts.
This recipe uses strawberries and blueberries, but the same method works beautifully with raspberries, blackberries, peaches, and other fresh fruit. After just an hour in the refrigerator, you'll have juicy, flavor-packed berries that can elevate everything from healthy oatmeal bowls and pancakes to waffles, dairy-free yogurt, and nice cream.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover macerated berries in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. As they sit, the berries will continue to soften and release more of their natural juices, making them even more delicious for spooning over oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, yogurt, or nice cream.
Give the berries a gentle stir before serving to redistribute the flavorful juices. While they can be frozen for up to 3 months, the berries will become much softer after thawing. Frozen and thawed macerated berries are best enjoyed as a topping for oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt, or desserts rather than served fresh on their own.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g