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Easy Cherry Compote Recipe

5 from 3 votes
Jars of homemade chunky cherry compote.
This homemade cherry compote recipe has just 3 simple ingredients, can be made with fresh or frozen fruit, and is ready in 15 minutes. It's the perfect topping on desserts, pancakes, waffles, vanilla ice cream, and more. 
Author: Lindsey Jenkins
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups frozen or fresh pitted cherries see notes
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Combine cherries, lemon juice, and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Once the cherry mixture comes to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before transferring the thick cherry sauce to an airtight container or mason jar. Store in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Notes

Using frozen cherries? No need to thaw them first. If you use defrosted cherries, add in the cherry juice as well.
Using tart cherries? You may need to add a little more sweetener.

Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

No cherries? - Use another type of fruit such as stone fruit or tropical fruit. You may also like strawberry compote or raspberry compote.
No lemon juice? - you can also use lime juice.
No honey? - you can also use other sweeteners such as maple syrup, coconut sugar, or brown sugar.
Prefer a thicker compote? - add chia seeds to the cherry mixture or make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water. Stir into the hot compote.
Make cherry coulis - puree the sauce and then strain it through a fine mesh sieve for a smoother sauce.
Add-ins - vanilla extract, orange juice or orange zest, lemon zest, lime zest, lime juice, etc.