If you’re craving a vibrant, fresh-tasting dessert sauce that comes together in minutes, you’ll fall head-over-heels for this Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis. With its jewel-bright color and bold berry flavor, this coulis transforms even the simplest treats—from ice cream to pancakes—into a showstopper. Let’s whip up a batch and bring a sweet touch of summer to your table all year round!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless & Quick: You only need about 15 minutes from start to finish—no complicated steps, just toss in your berries and let them work their magic!
- Versatile & Vibrant: This Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis is the ultimate finishing touch for everything from breakfast classics to elegant desserts.
- Naturally Customizable: Use your favorite fresh or frozen berries and adapt the sweetness just how you like it—no rules, just delicious results.
- Stunning Color & Flavor: Each spoonful delivers a punch of berry flavor and a burst of brilliant color that makes every dish look and taste extra special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis keeps it simple—just three ingredients that each play a starring role. Let’s take a closer look at how every component adds its own magic, from sweetness to tang and that radiant ruby hue.
- Mixed Berries (460g/3 cups): The soul of your coulis—combine strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries or boysenberries for a mouthwatering, multi-dimensional berry burst.
- Granulated Sugar (75g/⅖ cup): Brings out the natural sweetness of the berries and helps thicken the sauce as it simmers; you can adjust to your preferred sweetness.
- Lemon Juice (1 tbsp, freshly squeezed): Adds a bright, zesty note that balances the sweetness and keeps the flavor lively and fresh.
Variations
This Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis is endlessly flexible. Don’t hesitate to experiment—sub in different fruits, adjust the sweetness, or tweak for dietary needs. Absolutely make it your own!
- Swap the Berries: Try all-strawberry, raspberry–blackberry, or even toss in tart cherries for a playful flavor twist.
- Adjust the Sweetener: Replace sugar with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar—each brings its own color and depth of flavor.
- Add a Flavor Boost: Infuse the coulis with a pinch of vanilla, a slash of orange zest, or a splash of liqueur for something extra special.
- Make It Vegan: Use organic sugar to ensure it’s plant-based friendly, or opt for unrefined sweeteners if you prefer.
How to Make Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis
Step 1: Prep the Berries
If you’re using fresh berries, give them a gentle rinse, pat dry, remove the stems, and hull the strawberries. Frozen berries work beautifully too—no need to defrost, just plop them right in the pot!
Step 2: Simmer Everything Together
Toss the berries, sugar, and lemon juice into a medium saucepan and bring the mixture up to a lively bubble over medium-high heat. Once it starts to boil, dial back to medium and let it simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, stirring often. The fruit will soften and release its juices, gradually becoming jammy and fragrant.
Step 3: Blend Until Smooth
Carefully transfer the warm berry mixture to a blender or food processor and blend until totally smooth. If you’re using a stick blender, give it a whirl right in the pot—but be careful with the hot liquid!
Step 4: Strain for Silky Perfection
Set a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl and pour in the blended coulis. Use the back of a spoon to gently press through the sauce, leaving seeds and larger bits behind. The result? A beautifully smooth, pourable sauce ready for all your favorite desserts.
Step 5: Cool and Store
Let your coulis cool to room temperature, then pour it into an airtight jar or container. Once chilled, it’ll thicken a bit and keep beautifully in the fridge for up to two weeks—perfect for spontaneous dessert moments!
Pro Tips for Making Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis
- Berry Selection Matters: Opt for ripe, flavorful berries—a mix of sweet and tart gives your coulis the deepest, most nuanced taste and an incredible color payoff.
- Mind the Simmer: Keep your berry mixture just gently bubbling; a lower, slower simmer preserves the vibrant berry color and keeps flavors fresh.
- Straining for Silky Sauce: Don’t skip the fine-mesh sieve—it’s key for that ultra-smooth, spoon-coating finish that makes coulis so versatile (and elegant!).
- Adjust Sweetness After Simmering: Taste your sauce before straining—if your berries are extra tart, add a touch more sugar and stir to dissolve.
How to Serve Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis
Garnishes
For a pretty finishing flourish, top your coulis-drizzled desserts with fresh mint, whole berries, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. The jewel-like color shines on its own—sometimes, the simplest garnish is best!
Side Dishes
This Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis isn’t just for sweets—it’s dazzling over creamy Greek yogurt, dolloped onto pancakes, waffles, or French toast, or swirled through oatmeal for a gorgeously tangy breakfast upgrade.
Creative Ways to Present
Let your artistic side shine: use a squeeze bottle to create swirled patterns on plates, layer it in jars with vanilla pudding or cake crumbs for berry parfaits, or swirl into sparkling water for instant berry mocktails. The bold hue and fresh taste invite playful presentation!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer your cooled Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis to a clean, airtight jar or container and stash it in the fridge. It keeps for up to 2 weeks and actually gets a little thicker and more intense as it chills—perfect for spontaneous dessert moments.
Freezing
Need to make a big batch ahead? Pour the cooled coulis into a freezer-safe container or even an ice cube tray—those little cubes are perfect for quick defrosts or cocktails later! It’ll keep for a couple of months in the freezer without missing a beat.
Reheating
Defrost frozen coulis overnight in the fridge for the best texture. If you’d like to serve it warm (say, over pancakes or cakes), gently heat in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until just warmed through—don’t let it boil or it’ll thicken too much.
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen berries for Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis?
Absolutely! Frozen berries work wonderfully for this recipe—there’s no need to thaw, just add straight to the pan. You might need to simmer a minute or two longer to break them down, but the flavor and color are every bit as delicious.
-
Is this coulis recipe vegan?
It can be! Just use organic granulated sugar or your favorite plant-based sweetener. Most white sugar is vegan-friendly, but double-check if you need to be certain.
-
How can I make my mixed berry coulis thicker?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, simply simmer your berries a little longer to evaporate more liquid before blending, or chill the finished coulis—cooling naturally thickens the texture. If you want a really glossy sauce, you can add a small slurry of cornstarch while simmering, but it’s rarely necessary!
-
What desserts pair best with Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis?
This coulis is a dream on ice cream, classic New York cheesecake, airy pavlova, panna cotta, pancakes, waffles, and cupcakes. Try swirling it into yogurt pops or serving with lemon loaf for a fresh, tangy contrast!
Final Thoughts
Give this Quick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis a try and watch your favorite dishes light up with fresh berry flavor! Whether you drizzle it, swirl it, or serve it in generous spoonfuls, this little sauce brings a burst of joy and color to every bite. I can’t wait for you to fall in love with its irresistible simplicity!
PrintQuick & Easy Mixed Berry Coulis Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup/240ml (8 servings) 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A quick and easy recipe for making a delicious Mixed Berry Coulis that can be used as a versatile topping or filling for various desserts.
Ingredients
Mixed Berry Coulis:
- 460 g mixed berries (170g strawberries, 100g raspberries, 100g blueberries, 90g boysenberries or blackberries)
- 75 g granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare Berries: Wash and prepare the fresh berries by removing stems and hulling strawberries.
- Cook Berries: In a saucepan, combine berries, sugar, and lemon juice. Simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium heat and cook for 8-10 minutes until softened.
- Blend: Transfer mixture to a blender, food processor, or use a stick blender to blend until smooth.
- Strain: Pass the mixture through a sieve to remove seeds.
- Cool and Store: Allow the coulis to cool before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen berries for this recipe.
- For a vegan option, use organic or coconut sugar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 70 kcal
- Sugar: Approx. 12g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg