If you think Cherry Recipes require a lattice crust and a pastry cutter, this easy compote will change your mind. Fresh cherries are one of summer's greatest fleeting pleasures. When you find yourself with a few extra cups, this simple, flexible recipe is the best way to make the most of them. It comes together in about 15 minutes and works beautifully whether your cherries are fresh or frozen.
Easy Cherry Compote
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen sweet cherries, pitted (if fresh)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1⁄4 cup water
- 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Combine the cherries, sugar, lemon juice, water, and salt in a medium saucepan or deep skillet. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat to keep it gently bubbling.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cherries soften and release their juices, about 10 to 12 minutes. For a thicker compote, gently press a few cherries against the side of the pan with the back of a spoon.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Remember that the compote will continue to thicken as it cools.
Swaps & Storage
This base recipe is just the starting point. For a savory cherry sauce to serve with pork or chicken, skip the vanilla and add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and a sprig of rosemary to the pan while it simmers. For a grown-up dessert topping, stir in a tablespoon of bourbon or orange liqueur just after you remove the pan from the heat.
Transfer the cooled compote to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. You can also freeze it in a sealed container for up to three months.
🍒 Note: To pit fresh cherries without a pitter, use a sturdy drinking straw or a chopstick to push the pit out from the stem end. Do this over a bowl to catch the juice, and consider wearing an apron to protect against stains.
The next time you spot a good deal on cherries at the market, you’ll know exactly what to do. Simmer them into this versatile compote, and you’ll have a week of easy breakfasts, desserts, and dinners sorted. One batch, endless possibilities—that’s the kind of simple cooking we love.
Related Terms:
- dried Cherry Recipes
- tart Cherry Recipes
- fresh Cherry Recipes
- ground Cherry Recipes
- canned Cherry Recipes
- simple Cherry Recipes