Citrus-Macerated Strawberries (No-Cook, Naturally Sweet)
If you love strawberries, you have to try this. As much as I adore eating them just as they are, it’s also nice to turn them into a little treat every once in a while, without much effort.
Macerating strawberries is one of the easiest ways to make them taste extra special, no cooking needed. With just a few basics like citrus, sugar and strawberries, you can everyday fruit into a bright juicy topping or a simple refreshing dessert. As the strawberry sit, they realese their natural juices, becoming softer, sweeter and perfectly balanced with a little zing from the lemon, orange or mandarin.
It’s the kind of quick recipe you can toss together in minutes, then forget about in the fridge until it’s time to eat. Perfect for breakfast, brunch or dessert, these berries are delicious on pancakes, stirred into yogurt or spooned over a slice of pound cake. You can layer them into a parfait, or honestly, just enjoy them straight from the bowl, maybe with a nice dollop of whipped cream.
What You’ll Need:
- Fresh strawberries
- Granulated sugar
- Fresh lemon juice
- Fresh mandarin juice (or orange)
- Lemon zest and Mandarin/Orange zest
- Optional: vanilla extract or a splash of liqueur
A Few Fun Strawberry Facts:
Did you know that strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside? Each berry can have around 200 seeds! They also aren’t technically berries, botanically speaking, they belong to the rose family (the most delicious of the family). And despite their delicate appearance, strawberries are surprisingly rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making them as nutritious as they are delicious.
Variations:
- Berry mix: Swap some of the strawberries with sliced blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a colorful blend.
- Herbal twist: Add a few pieces of mint or basil leaves for an extra layer of freshness.
- Spiced version: A pinch of ground cardamom or cinnamon gives the berries a cozy warmth.
- Sweetener swap: Use honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar for a more natural option.
- Boozy upgrade: Add a splash of limoncello or orange liqueur for a grown-up treat.
Tips:
- Taste your strawberries first, if they’re very sweet, you can add more strawberries to reduce the amount of sugar slightly. If they’re a bit tart, feel free to add a little extra sugar to balance the flavor.
- If mandarin isn’t available, use orange juice and zest instead.
Storage:
Store leftover macerated strawberries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The longer they sit, the softer and juicier they become.
Macerated Strawberries
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, combine the chopped strawberries with sugar.
- Add lemon juice, mandarin juice, and the lemon and mandarin zest.
- Mix everything together until the strawberries are well coated.
- Enjoy right away or let sit for about 30 minutes allowing the juices to release.
- Serve as desired, spooned over yogurt, cake, ice cream, or with some whipped cream or even enjoyed as-is.
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