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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast » Easy Berry Compote Recipe (Rote Grütz)

    Easy Berry Compote Recipe (Rote Grütz)

    Published: Jun 16, 2019 Modified: Dec 6, 2022 by Isabel Laessig

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    Enjoy this quick, easy, and versatile berry compote recipe on its own or as a topping for breakfast or dessert! Rote Grütz adds a delicious pop of flavor to almost any dessert.

    Mixed berry compote only uses three simple ingredients and is easy to make in under 30 minutes. Use it as a topping for waffles or oatmeal, or even with yogurt, ice cream, or cake!

    Finished Berry Compote in a Glass Jar with a wooden spoon

    What is a berry compote?

    Compote uses whole or cut-up fruit cooked in syrup. The fruit cooks slowly at a low temperature to keep its shape, giving the compote a chunky texture.

    This delicious mixed berry compote can be made with dried, fresh, or frozen berries.

    Traditionally, compote is made with a simple sugar syrup, but you can add many spices and flavorings to your berry compote recipe according to taste.

    Many cuisines and cultures use berry compote in both sweet and savory dishes, whether to top pancakes, ice creams, or even meat.

    In Northern Europe, berry compote is called “Rote Grütze” when it uses red berries and “Lila Grütze” when purple berries are added.

    What’s the difference between compote and jam?

    The main difference between a compote and a jam is that a compote is only cooked in sugar syrup. A jam usually has added pectin, a thickening agent, or a higher quantity of sugar.

    The fruits in a compote remain chunky in liquid syrup. Jam reduces further until the syrup becomes thick and sticky, and the fruits lose their shape.

    Berries for berry compote recipe in a bowl on two plates

    Berry Compote Recipe Ingredients

    Making a Rote Grütze requires only a few ingredients:

    • Fresh or frozen berries (use a mix of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, cranberries,… it is up to you!)
    • Brown sugar
    • Lemon juice
    • Optional: spices like cinnamon or ground ginger and flavorings such as vanilla.

    For this recipe, I use a mix of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.

    RECIPE TIP: Remember, you can use fresh, frozen, or dried berries when making the compote. It will be delicious no matter which way you make it!

    How to Make Berry Compote

    Making mixed berry compote is both ridiculously easy and super quick. It does not require any prep, especially if you use frozen berries. To make this Rote Grütze, simply:

    1. Clean, cut and remove the stems from the berries if you are using fresh ones.
    2. Place the mixed berries, lemon juice, and brown sugar in a small pot on low heat.
    3. Cook for 5 minutes with the pot lid on then for another 10 to 15 minutes without the lid.
    4. Remove from the stove, leave to cool down for a few minutes, then transfer into a sealed jar. Keep in the fridge or freeze when cold.
    Cooking down the berries for berry compote in a pot with a wooden spoon

    Can I use frozen berries for a compote?

    Absolutely! Not only will using frozen berries make the process even easier as you won’t need to cut or core the fruits. We have a great guide on how to freeze strawberries.

    Frozen berry compote is also perfect if you want to enjoy Rote Grütze all year long, even when the berries you want aren’t in season!

    How long will fruit compote last in the fridge?

    When stored properly in a sealed jar, this berry compote will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

    You can also freeze it in a plastic container or freezing bags for a few months. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to eat.

    Fresh Berry Compote with Mint in a jar on a floral decorated plate

    Can berry compote be canned?

    Although you can technically can this Rote Grütze recipe, it is not recommended. Because of its low sugar content, the compote will not preserve as well as jams or other cooked fruit recipes that have a higher ratio of sugar to fruit.

    For recipes that can be canned, try this strawberry jam recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Jam.

    What do you eat strawberry compote with?

    There are so many delicious dishes you can eat this compote with, whether it is for breakfast, dessert or even with savory meals. Here are a few ideas, starting with our Baked Brie with Crescent Rolls.

    For breakfast

    • With fresh berries over this Dutch Baby Pancake
    • On toasted Rhubarb Bread
    • Drizzled over these Gluten Free Banana Pancakes
    • With Rhubarb Muffins
    • With any of our 40+ Easy Make Ahead Brunch Recipes

    For dessert

    • Over a Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake
    • Inside these Strawberry Crepes
    • With Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
    Freshly made Berry Compote from above with mint on a floral plate

    Quick, easy, wholesome, and versatile, this recipe is perfect for kids and adults alike. With so many different delicious ways to enjoy this mixed berry compote, it should soon become a fridge staple in your house!

    Love this strawberry compote recipe as much as we do? Try these other sweet recipe ideas…

    • How to Make Strawberry Sauce
    • Spiderman Web Berry Dessert
    • Butterscotch Sauce Recipe
    • Banana Raspberry No Churn Ice Cream

    This is great! 😋Used frozen mixed berry. Perfect for parfaits and pie topping. Also going to try it in a frozen recipe I have seen. Getting my fruit in!

    Charissa on Pinterest

    Turned out so tasty. Super easy! Thanks for sharing.

    Jamie on Pinterest

    📌 Pin Berry Compote Recipe to save for later!

    📋 Recipe

    Fresh Berry Compote with Mint

    Berry Compote Recipe

    Isabel Laessig
    Enjoy this QUICK and EASY berry compote recipe on its own or as a topping for breakfast or dessert! Mixed berry compote uses just three simple ingredients.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast or Dessert, Breakfast/Dessert
    Cuisine French
    Servings 2 Cups (1 large jar)
    Calories 230 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 ½ cups Mixed Berries (Fresh or Frozen)
    • 3 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
    • ½ Lemon (Juiced, about 2 Tbsp.)
    • Optional: Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Star Anise Pods or Vanilla Essence/Paste to taste
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    Instructions
     

    • If using fresh berries, wash and remove the stems if required.
    • Place the Mixed Berries, Lemon Juice and Brown Sugar in a small pot and stir to combine. Turn on the stove on low heat, and leave to cook for 5 minutes with the lid on.
    • Remove the lid and leave to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes. The fruits should have reduced but still be chunky.
    • Let the compote cool for 5 minutes, then transfer into a sealed jar. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer in a plastic container or freezing bag for a few months.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 9mgPotassium: 213mgFiber: 8gSugar: 45gVitamin A: 125IUVitamin C: 21.1mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 0.8mg
    Keyword mixed berry compote
    Did you try this recipe?Tag #SundaySupper on social and leave a comment below!

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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

    » About Me

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. jen says

      February 11, 2014 at 6:34 am

      This looks so yummy! 🙂 Perfect for Valentines Day!

      Reply
      • Beate weiss-krull says

        February 12, 2014 at 5:49 pm

        Thank you 🙂 It is the perfect easy dessert!

        Reply
    2. Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says

      February 12, 2014 at 7:19 am

      I want mine warm over ice cream! Is that acceptable? ;).

      Reply
      • Beate weiss-krull says

        February 12, 2014 at 5:49 pm

        Oh yes…it surely is. I will have dessert ready for you 🙂

        Reply
    3. Colleen says

      June 11, 2020 at 4:00 pm

      This was so easy to make and was very good. It was great over a homemade cheese danish and oatmeal. I will use this recipe again.

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        June 11, 2020 at 6:50 pm

        Thank you so much, Colleen! That sounds truly amazing! We’re so glad you enjoyed it and what an excellent pairing!

        Reply

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