Here's a simple balsamic strawberries recipe. They might sound like odd partners, but they’re a wonderful pairing. When you combine sweet strawberries with a balsamic vinegar reduction (also called balsamic glaze), the flavors are fantastic. It's a terrific combo and an easy recipe made in minutes. For an over the top dessert, serve balsamic strawberries over ice cream or frozen yogurt. Bonus! Recipe for homemade balsamic glaze included.
The small squeeze bottle near my stove with intensely flavored brown syrup is a balsamic vinegar glaze. Usually healthy and dessert are not in the same breath, but this is a healthy dessert. The natural sweetness of the strawberries is wonderful against the tart sweet richness of the balsamic glaze.
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Why You'll Like This Recipe
- Simple ingredients, simple recipe, easy dessert.
- Three options for the balsamic glaze.
- Other ways to serve it for a fancier dessert.
- A delicious dessert to serve for strawberry season.
If you love balsamic vinegar, try these balsamic glazed brussels sprouts. So good!
Recipe Ingredients
- Strawberries: Use fresh, not frozen strawberries because thawed berries are too moist and soft. Sweet, fresh, ripe strawberries are the best, and a good time to buy organic as they are always on the EWG's Dirty Dozen list.
- Balsamic: Here is the balsamic vinegar I use to make my glaze, available at most grocery stores and online. It's so easy to make and better than the store balsamic glaze that is sometimes thickened with gums and gets, well, gummy, and does not taste as good.
- Brown sugar: If you are making your own balsamic glaze (and you may not need it).
Please see the recipe card for measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add fresh raspberries to the dish with the strawberries.
- Add fresh herbs: finely sliced fresh basil leaves or fresh mint.
- Top with a dollop of softly whipped cream with vanilla.
- Serve balsamic strawberries over sweetened greek yogurt.
- Serve over vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.
- If you want macerated strawberries, toss the strawberries and balsamic glaze 20-30 minutes ahead of time.
- Strawberries not sweet enough? Toss with just a little sugar or granular monk fruit blend before serving.
Another sauce idea: If you'd rather have chocolate over those strawberries, try this homemade chocolate syrup, or serve them both. They are good together.
Recipe Instructions
For Strawberries
Wash and dry the strawberries. Slice in halves or quarters vertically. Add to bowls or stemmed glasses for serving or see more serving ideas towards the end.
For Balsamic Glaze
Chef's Tip: If your balsamic glaze thickens too far, thin with a little water. Pour into a squeeze bottle or a small jar with a tight lid. No refrigeration is needed.
Need another way to use balsamic glaze? Try this Fig, Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Crostini with Balsamic Glaze.
For another terrific, easy to make dessert, try this strawberry panna cotta recipe. And a little of the balsamic would be great over the top too.
Chef's tip: Choosing balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar comes in a range of prices from cheap stuff to highly prized bottles costing a small fortune. For a balsamic reduction, choose a decent quality but no need to break the bank. And be sure to read the label. Don’t buy a poor quality bottle with caramel coloring or anything added. Here's a good balsamic vinegar with a syrupy quality so you can use a drizzle of balsamic vinegar right from the bottle.
More Uses for Balsamic Glaze
Balsamic glaze is useful in so many ways. Think of it as more of a garnish.
- Squirt a little over basic green beans as a quick upgrade.
- Drip it onto toasted baguette smeared with soft goat cheese for an easy appetizer.
- Use it as a sauce for roast or grilled salmon or chicken.
- Garnish pureed soups.
- Squirt over a classic Caprese salad of sliced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves with some good olive oil.
- Use it with other fresh fruit. Wrap small wedges of cantaloupe with prosciutto and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Use fresh strawberries in these terrific greek yogurt parfaits, like dessert for breakfast.
How Long Does it Last?
Homemade balsamic glaze lasts a long time because of the acid and sugar. Keep in an airtight container. Storing in a cool pantry is best. Refrigeration is not necessary.
If you want to refrigerate it realize it will thicken from the cold so let it warm up or thin with a little water if needed. An opened bottle of balsamic vinegar lasts probably 12-18 months kept tightly capped after use, so a balsamic reduction should also last a long time.
Serving Suggestions
Serve balsamic strawberries at room temperature or chilled in a small bowl drizzled with the balsamic glaze. For a fancier presentation place strawberries in martini-style stemmed glasses. It's also wonderful over a scoop of ice cream or pound cake.
Want something a little more decadent? Start with one of these gluten-free chocolate brownies, then a scoop of ice cream, strawberries, and balsamic. It's over the top!
Some people like a grind of fresh black pepper with their berries but I prefer it without.
Recipe FAQ
Fresh strawberries are best for serving balsamic strawberries. Frozen then thawed strawberries are very wet and soggy, so the texture is not the best. If frozen is all that you have, thaw frozen strawberries and mash them with a fork, then serve with the balsamic glaze over the top of ice cream or frozen yogurt, or over a slice of cake. Try the recipe again when you can get good fresh strawberries.
Keep fresh strawberries stored separately in the refrigerator and dress when you are ready to serve. Balsamic glaze (or balsamic syrup) lasts unrefrigerated for weeks. Fresh strawberries last in the refrigerator about 5 days. If you macerate the strawberries in the balsamic glaze, it is best served right away. As it is so simple, no need to make it ahead.
Depending on the sweetness of your balsamic vinegar, you may not need to add any sugar; at most a teaspoon or two. How much depends on how sweet you want it. Good balsamic vinegar has a nice natural sweetness. Make your glaze, taste, the if needed, add a little brown sugar or monk fruit for a great zero-sugar option. One of my favorite sweetening options is simple syrup made with monk fruit.
More Delicious Recipes With Strawberries
Strawberries are great in summer salads, like this strawberry salad with goat cheese or feta cheese.
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📖 Recipe
Balsamic Strawberries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce bottle decent quality Balsamic vinegar
- 1 pound strawberries washed and quartered
Optional if needed
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
Balsamic glaze
- Place vinegar in a small saucepan and a simmer until reduce by ⅓, from 12 ounces to 8 ounces. Watch so it does not burn or reduce too far. Stir or whisk occasionally. Taste. If it is naturally sweet enough for you, allow to cool then store in either a small glass jar or a squeeze bottle.If it is too tart for you, stir in a little brown sugar or use simple syrup (see note below).If balsamic glaze gets too thick, thin with just a little water until it is the consistency you desire.
Strawberries
- Wash and stem the strawberries. Slice in half vertically or into quarters depending on size. Add to small bowls or stemmed glasses to serve, drizzled with the balsamic glaze. Serve immediately.
Notes
- With a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.
- Over yogurt.
- Over ice cream
- Add a squiggly line to dress a plate, like in a fancy restaurant
- Drip it onto toasted baguette smeared with soft goat cheese for an appetizer (add figs if in season)
- Use it as a sauce for roast or grilled salmon or chicken
- Garnish pureed soups
- Squirt over a classic Caprese salad of sliced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves with some good olive oil
- Drizzle over fresh, sweet strawberries for a fantastic and healthy dessert.
Nutrition
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Debbie says
Hi Sally, This looks really good!!! I really like Balsamic Vinegar and use Napa Vally Naturals, Grand Reserve brand. I understand that doing a reduction makes the vinegar thicker, but why is this desirable?? Thanks!!
Sally Cameron says
Hi Debbie, Sorry to be just responding, we were in Kenya for a few weeks and little connectivity or time (on a photo safari) to work! Thickening the vinegar through reduction makes it more like a sauce, makes it "stick" and flow over what you are pouring in onto. Reduction also intensifies the flavor. Napa Valley Naturals is a good brand, I like them too. Another for you to look at is Calivirgin.com. Their balsamic is terrific and their flavored olive oils out of this world (no affiliation). Another point though is if you have a brand of balsamic that is thicker then average and more syrup-y, you may not need to reduce it or do anything at all except enjoy!
Leo | Fontaneria says
the photos are excellent
Madonna says
I am always looking for that extra touch to give my food that memorable something, Something that makes the family go wow, and here it is. Lovely photos. I am making this for Mother’s Day.
Debs @ The Spanish Wok says
I love balsamic reduction, not put sugar in before though; will have to give that a try next time thanks for the tip.
I've never quite got my head around balsamic with strawbs though LOL.
BTW You are welcome to join in my monthly food blogger event THE SOUP KITCHEN, here offering a new theme each month. All bloggers are welcome, hope to see you participate soon.
Margaret says
The photos look beautiful - I can't wait to try the recipe! How delicious.
Sally says
Just in time for strawberry season--well, almost. We won't see berries for at least 6 to 8 weeks, BUT your recommendation of brands is very helpful, and it's never too soon to make this reduction. Also, thanks for the link to shopper's guide. Great information and lovely recipe, Sally!