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6-Minute Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce

January 11, 2012

Try this 6-Minute Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce over some yogurt or ice cream. Made with fresh or frozen strawberries and balsamic vinegar.

6-Minute Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce over yogurt

It can be difficult to find flavorful and reasonably priced strawberries in the wintertime. So how’s a person to get their strawberry fix? Try this strawberry balsamic sauce with frozen strawberries.

Frankly, if I can’t get good, fresh strawberries, frozen ones are not an option for me unless I’m making a smoothie– until now. When cooked in the microwave, frozen strawberries are transformed into a thick and richly flavored sauce. Some would call it a reduction but I call it perfect for pouring over yogurt and ice cream. I can’t stop thinking of other possibilities such as pound cake or waffles.

What led me to this discovery was an assignment by the California Strawberry Commission to come up with a healthy recipe using frozen strawberries. Since smoothies and ice cream have already been done a few zillion times, I decided to try making a healthy strawberry dressing using strawberries prepared in a similar way.

HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY-BALSAMIC SAUCE IN THREE EASY STEPS:

6-Minute Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce

Chop 1-1/2 cup frozen berries–a little smaller than seen here.

6-Minute Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce

 Place into nothing smaller than a 1-quart Pyrex bowl. Add 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar to uncooked strawberries or leave it out if you prefer.

microwave strawberry reduction - thickened strawberries

Cook in the microwave for 6 minutes, UNCOVERED, no stirring necessary. Sauce thickens as it cools.

This will remind you of strawberry preserves except it’s a little thinner and not as sweet unless you add sugar or sweetener. If I want it sweeter, depending on what I’m serving it with, I  start with 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey or 2 packets of Splenda and go from there.

Shopping tip:  Frozen strawberries are significantly more economical in the big box stores.  Worth a trip.

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6-Minute Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce


  • Author: Paula Rhodes
  • Prep Time: 8 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Total Time: 14 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cup
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: microwave
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

A strawberry-balsamic reduction made quickly and easily in the microwave in 6 minutes.


Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or 1 pkg sweetener, optional

Instructions

  1. Chop 1-1/2 cup frozen berries.
  2. Place into nothing smaller than a 1-quart Pyrex bowl. Add 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar to uncooked strawberries or leave it out if you prefer.
  3. Cook in the microwave for 6 minutes, UNCOVERED, no stirring necessary. Sauce thickens as it cools.

Keywords: springrecipes, sauce, dressing, strawberries

 

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  1. Kimberley Legaspi

    March 7, 2015 at 7:36 pm

    All I know, is I’m on WW, and I had most of these ingredients. Hubby is getting the ice cream / Greek yogurt at the store. Choosing to use a pan, and pure raw honey instead of sugar, which I will ad at the end. Bet it’ll be wonderful!!! Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Mid Mod Tom

    February 21, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    I couldn’t cut my frozen strawberries when I made this on Saturday, so I put them (an entire bag of frozen strawberries mind you) and 1/2 cup balasmic in my 1 quart pyrex and cooked it on high for six minutes. After six minutes the berries were thawed and the sauce was hot. Then I pureed in my food processor and strained through a fine mesh sieve. I served this sauce with my no-baked white chocolate cheesecake at brunch on Sunday and everyone loved it. Thank you! Mine may have been a 9 minute sauce, but I sincerely appreciate the initial direction!

    Reply
    • Paula

      February 22, 2012 at 6:22 am

      Hi Tom, Your freezer must be colder than mine. If you plan to puree anyway, no need to chop, as you already figured out. Your cheesecake sounds fabulous and I can only imagine how good it was with the strawberry sauce. Glad you wrote back. pr

      Reply
  3. David R

    January 25, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    I made this with frozen blackberries last night, added a little sugar, and it was an amazing add on to my morning waffles! thanks for the great and quick recipe! 😀

    Reply
  4. Feast on the Cheap

    January 22, 2012 at 10:04 am

    What a treat! My goodness…I would stir this into just about anything

    Reply
  5. SallyBR

    January 15, 2012 at 10:37 am

    Paula, just reporting back….

    made it yesterday and LOVED IT! In my microwave it took just one minute longer to get the right texture. The flavor is amazing, I am enjoying it with yogurt and a little cereal – what a great breakfast item!

    If my pictures turned out bearable, I will blog about it and of course give you all the credit!

    Reply
    • Paula

      January 15, 2012 at 8:31 pm

      I agree about using it for breakfast. It’s a great back-up plan when I have no fresh fruit in the house.

      Reply
  6. [email protected]

    January 13, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    Fun idea… you know how much I like using stuff I have on hand, and I almost always have frozen strawberries in the freezer!!
    Normally, I am not the biggest balsamic fan, but with sweet strawberries it actually sounds good. I mostly object to the sweetness of balsamic on savory items like salads, but this SOUNDS NICE!

    Reply
  7. Nicole

    January 13, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Love the combo of strawberries and balsamic. Glad I have all the ingredients to make this:)

    Reply
  8. `Suzanne

    January 13, 2012 at 9:54 am

    Yum Paula, this sauce sounds great and simple, it could go on so many things. I always enjoy your simple tips that make a big difference 🙂 have a wonderful weekend.

    Reply
  9. TheKitchenWitch

    January 13, 2012 at 8:42 am

    You’re a genius! I’m definitely trying this one.

    Reply
  10. Paula

    January 12, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    Your post over at California Strawberry was wonderful! I love all your salad ingredients you keep stocked at your workplace and the dressing looks delicious.

    Reply
  11. SallyBR

    January 12, 2012 at 11:07 am

    What an interesting recipe, loved it, and intend to try it soon.

    Plus, the microwave trick is intriguing, I almost never use mine, just for the eventual warming up of leftover

    Loved the first photo, mouthwatering… 😉

    Reply
  12. Jodi @CaliforniaStrawberries

    January 12, 2012 at 10:42 am

    Hi Paula,
    Thanks again for creating this wonderful strawberry sauce/dressing! We love your site and look forward to spending more time on your site! We posted a link to your post on our FB page today!
    Have a good day!
    Jodi

    Reply
    • Paula

      January 12, 2012 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks so much Jodi. Had a great time playing with frozen strawberries. Paula

      Reply
  13. Mid Mod Tom

    January 12, 2012 at 9:36 am

    I’m definitely going to make this. I think I would puree it as well. I think this would make a great gift sieved into a mason jar with a pretty label and a ribbon.

    Reply
    • Paula

      January 12, 2012 at 5:31 pm

      Puréeing just adds another step but it would be wonderful. And I like your idea for gifts.

      Reply
  14. The Café Sucré Farine

    January 12, 2012 at 4:56 am

    Wow Paula! This sounds amazing – and it’s so pretty too!

    Reply
  15. Sarah

    January 12, 2012 at 3:47 am

    This might even be a great salad dressing. I’m trying it today! Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Paula

      January 12, 2012 at 8:03 am

      Sarah, you are exactly right. Add some water, maybe lemon juice and some sort of herb such as basil or mint and you’ve got a winner.

      Reply
  16. Lorraine

    January 11, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    So easy and looks so good! Yum!

    Reply

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