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    Home » Recipes » Summer Recipes

    Easy Blueberry Sauce

    Published: Mar 31, 2023 · Modified: Jun 25, 2025 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    white bowl of homemade blueberry sauce with a spoon in the sauce.

    This easy homemade blueberry sauce recipe can be made in just 20 minutes using fresh or frozen blueberries, lemon, sugar, water, vanilla, and a cornstarch slurry for a delicious topping on breakfast favorites, and many different desserts and sweet treats!

    With blueberry season comes plenty of blueberry recipes to use for those amazing fresh blueberries, including blueberry pie, lemon blueberry muffins, and blueberry oatmeal bread, among other things. However, for something a little easier that doesn’t require the oven, a tasty blueberry sauce is just the thing!

    white bowl of homemade blueberry sauce with a spoon in the sauce.

    Easy Homemade Blueberry Sauce

    One of my favorite ways of capturing the flavor of fresh blueberries it to make an easy blueberry sauce.

    Made with sugar and lemon juice for that sweet and tangy balance and with cornstarch to thicken it up, this glossy, rich, fruit sauce is the perfect topping for everything from sheet pan pancakes and blueberry ricotta waffles to cheesecake and vanilla ice cream!

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    A spoon dripping blueberry sauce into a bowl of ice cream.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    A spoonful of blueberry sauce in a bowl.
    • Blueberries: Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used. No need to thaw them first, as they’ll thaw as they cook. Wash and pick over fresh blueberries, getting rid of any debris or stems.
    • Granulated sugar: Sugar helps to sweeten the sauce but also helps to break down the berries.
    • Water: A bit of liquid to help thin turn it into a sauce rather than a jam.
    • Lemon juice and zest: We’ll use both for a wonderful citrusy element. I love the flavor of fresh lemons, but in this case, you can use bottled lemon juice if preferred.
    • Cornstarch: A combination of cornstarch and a bit of water to make a slurry will help to thicken the sauce so it’s not too runny.
    • Vanilla extract: A warm flavor addition to balance out the sweetness and tang.

    Variations To Try

    1. Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg and use maple syrup instead of sugar. This is especially great if you’re making this during the cold weather season.
    2. If your blueberries aren’t sweet enough, add an extra ¼ cup of sugar. Or for less added sweetness, lower the amount of sugar to ¼ cup.
    3. Swap the lemon juice for orange juice for a less tart and sweeter variation.
    4. Mix in a combination of berries like blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries.
    5. Use this same recipe for a completely different berry all on its own.

    What to Use this Blueberry Sauce for?

    Whether you’ve gone blueberry picking, picked some up fresh from the market, or happen to have some frozen at home, this is an easy recipe made with simple ingredients that celebrate the flavor of plump juicy blueberries!

    Use this blueberry topping on:

    • Angel food cake or sponge cake
    • Pound cake
    • a stack of Pancakes, French toast, waffle recipes, and homemade crepes
    • Cheesecake
    • Swirled in a bowl of yogurt
    • Oatmeal
    • Ice cream
    • Over grilled chicken or pork loin or pork chops

    How to Make this Blueberry Topping

    This recipe will come together in a few easy steps. Here’s how you make it:

    Blueberries in a silver pot with lemon zest.

    Step 1: In a medium pot, combine blueberries, sugar, water, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

    Step 2: Heat over medium heat to medium-high heat until it boils then reduce at a low boil and cook for about 8-10 minutes until the blueberries break down and release their juices. Stir occasionally so the sugars don’t burn.

    Blueberry sauce in a pan on a white background.

    Step 3: Mix the cornstarch slurry in a small bowl, then add the cornstarch mixture to the blueberry mixture. Cook it for another couple of minutes until it thickens.

    Step 4: Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the remaining fresh blueberries and vanilla extract. It’s now ready to use! Serve warm, or at room temperature, it’s up to you.

    A spoonful of blueberry sauce in a bowl.

    Tips

    • Take your time to pick over the blueberries. Sometimes wrinkled and rotting blueberries can hide amongst their friends, and adding them to the sauce wouldn’t be a good idea.
    • The lemon zest and juice combination is for a deeper lemon flavor. You can omit the zest for a more subtle taste.
    • You want to make sure the cornstarch in the slurry has fully dissolved before you add it to the blueberry sauce. Otherwise, you may find little clumps of cornstarch throughout.
    • Remember it thickens as it cools too!

    How to store leftover blueberry sauce?

    Keep sauce stored in an airtight container or glass jars with a tight-fitting lid. It will stay fresh for up to 5-7 days if you’re lucky enough to have some left.

    Is blueberry sauce best served warm or cold?

    It’s totally up to you! I personally love warm sauce over cold ice cream, but it’s just as good cold when you dive into the fridge to grab a spoonful. To reheat it, pop it in the microwave or use a small saucepan on the stove. Add a splash of water to help thin it out again.

    Can blueberry sauce be frozen?

    Certainly. Keep it in a freezer-safe container or bag and leave room for expansion. It will keep frozen for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and enjoy!

    What’s the difference between a blueberry sauce and blueberry compote?

    There is no difference 🙂 This blueberry sauce has a few different names. Blueberry topping and blueberry pie filling are others that are common as well.

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe below. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok!

    Blueberry sauce in a bowl with a spoon.

    Easy Blueberry Sauce Recipe

    This easy homemade blueberry sauce recipe can be made in just 20 minutes using fresh or frozen blueberries, lemon, sugar, water, vanilla, and a cornstarch slurry for a delicious topping on breakfast favorites, and many different desserts and sweet treats!
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    Course: Breakfast, brunch, Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 36 servings
    Calories: 18kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups blueberries divided
    • ½ cup white sugar
    • ⅓ cup water
    • 1 large lemon juiced and zested
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • In a medium pot, add 2 cups of blueberries, sugar, water, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
      2 ½ cups blueberries, ½ cup white sugar, ⅓ cup water, 1 large lemon
    • Heat over over medium heat and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries release their juices and have broken.
    • In a small bowl, add the cornstarch and water and whisk together to create a slurry.
      1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
    • Add the slurry to the blueberry mixture and cook for another 1-2 minutes until it thickens
      1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the other ½ cup of fresh blueberries and the vanilla extract.

    Notes

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat the sauce over low heat (or in the microwave) and add a few tablespoons of water if needed.
    Use fresh or frozen blueberries.
    Add an additional ¼ cup of sugar if the blueberries are sweet.
    Swap the lemon juice for a couple of tablespoon of orange juice.
    Mix in other berries like blackberries.
    Enjoy over pancakes, waffles, crepes, cheesecake, angel food cake, ice cream or pound cake.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2tablespoon | Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.04g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.005g | Sodium: 0.3mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.03mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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    Sherri Hagymas leaning on a counter with a white coffee mug

    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

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