Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen) – You can use any combination of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. If using strawberries, chop them to match the size of the other berries.
- ¾ cup organic cane sugar – If your berries are naturally very sweet, you can reduce the sugar by a few tablespoons.
- 1 medium lemon – Both the zest and juice are used to enhance the flavor.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder – This helps thicken the compote.
- 2 tablespoons water – Used to mix with the thickener to form a slurry.
Instructions
- Prepare the Lemon: Grate the lemon to get 1 teaspoon of zest and set it aside. Squeeze the lemon to extract 2 ½ tablespoons of juice.
- Add Ingredients to the Instant Pot: Place 3 ½ cups of berries (reserving ½ cup for later) into the Instant Pot. Add the sugar and lemon juice, stirring to combine. The berries will release enough liquid during cooking, so no additional water is needed.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid, set the Pressure Release to Sealing, and select the Pressure Cook setting on High. Set the timer for 3 minutes.
- Natural Release: After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before carefully switching the Pressure Release knob to Venting to release any remaining steam.
- Thicken the Compote: In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of water with the cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) to create a slurry. Open the Instant Pot and stir in half of the slurry. Select the Sauté setting and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly.
- Adjust the Thickness: If the compote is not thick enough, add the remaining slurry and continue stirring until it reaches the desired consistency. Keep in mind that the mixture will thicken further as it cools.
- Final Touches: Turn off the Instant Pot, then stir in the reserved ½ cup of berries and the lemon zest for extra texture and freshness.
- Cool and Store: Let the compote cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
How to Tell When the Compote is Ready
- The compote should have a jam-like consistency but still be slightly pourable.
- If it’s too thin, simmer for a few extra minutes to reduce the liquid.
- If it’s too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of water to loosen it.
Common Troubleshooting Tips
- Compote too tart? Add 1–2 extra tablespoons of sugar or a drizzle of honey.
- Too sweet? Squeeze in a bit more lemon juice to balance the flavor.
- Burn warning on Instant Pot? Stir the ingredients before cooking to ensure sugar doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Storage Tips
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
- Freeze in ice cube trays for easy portioning—simply pop out a cube and thaw as needed.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes