Homemade Strawberry Syrup {No Refined Sugar}

This homemade strawberry syrup is a perfect topping for pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and more! No refined sugar, gluten, and dairy free.

Strawberry season is here! And while I always want to eat my weight in freshly picked strawberries, occasionally there’s enough leftover to make something special like homemade strawberry syrup.

The Best Strawberry Syrup for Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast, and More

I like to keep breakfast at our house relatively healthy low sugar. And if there’s no refined sugar, that’s even better! But I also like to mix it up and get creative sometimes, and thought strawberry syrup would be a fun way to mix it up.

Most of the strawberry syrup recipes I found had so much sugar in them that they seemed more appropriate for dessert. And let’s not even talk about the kind you buy from the store!

So I got busy developing an all-natural, homemade strawberry syrup that I felt comfortable eating and feeding to my kids for breakfast. And it’s quite delicious, if I do say so myself! You can use it to top pancakes, waffles, french toast, or pretty much anything else you want. Not only is it refined sugar free, it’s also gluten free, dairy free, and egg free. You can even make the strawberry syrup vegan if you opt for maple syrup rather than honey!

And while it’s definitely an indulgence, homemade strawberry syrup is amazing over ice cream! Throw on some chocolate magic shell for that amazing strawberry chocolate flavor combo. Maybe even whip up some Strawberry Whipped Cream to add even more strawberry flavor.

I’ve included instructions for two different. The first version makes a chunky syrup, with bits of juicy, sweet strawberries in it, perfect for topping oatmeal pancakes, ice cream, waffles, etc.

Option 2 is a smooth syrup, and you can also use it the same way as the chunky syrup. However, it’s also great for making drinks like Italian Sodas, cocktails, and even making strawberry milk.

What is Strawberry Syrup Made Of?

The ingredients for this homemade strawberry syrup are simple:

• 1 lb. strawberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4-1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

How to make Homemade Strawberry Syrup

Option 1

• Dice 1 lb. of strawberries.
• Place the strawberries, honey or maple syrup, lemon juice, and salt to a sauce pan.
• Bring it to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. A foam will develop on top–scoop it off and discard it.
• Continue to simmer the syrup until it has reduced to about half, stirring every couple of minutes. This should take about 20-30 minutes.
• Once the syrup has finished cooking, transfer it to a jar and cool before using.
• The strawberry syrup will keep for up to two weeks in your refrigerator.

Option 2:

• Dice 1 lb. of strawberries.
• Place a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and set it aside.
• Place the strawberries, honey or maple syrup, lemon juice, and salt to a saucepan.
• Bring it to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. A foam will develop on top–scoop it off and discard it.
• Continue to simmer the syrup until it has reduced to about half, stirring every couple of minutes. This should take about 20-30 minutes.
• Once the syrup has finished cooking, pour it into the strainer and allow the syrup to drain into the bowl beneath. Let it sit for a while as the thick syrup can take a bit to work through the strainer.
• Transfer the syrup to a jar and cool before using. You can also save the strawberry bits and spread them over toast.
• The strawberry syrup will keep for up to two weeks in your refrigerator.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Both honey and maple syrup work great in this recipe, with no strange after tastes. Both simply enhance the naturally sweet flavor of the strawberries. If you opt for honey, I recommend raw honey. Even though you are cooking it down, it has so much more nutritional value than honey that has been pasteurized.

Using maple syrup makes this strawberry syrup recipe vegan.

Fresh strawberries work best for this syrup, as frozen strawberries will break down and become mushy during cooking.

Recipes to Serve with Strawberry Syrup:

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