Plum Compote

This tasty Plum Compote is a simple, stewed fruit sauce that's sweet, slightly tart, and perfect for spooning over yogurt, pancakes, or desserts. Ready in just 15 minutes with 4 simple ingredients.

For this delicious plum compote, you simply need to heat the plums with a little sugar, water, lemon juice and optional cinnamon until it starts to break down! It's super easy and tasted divine.

It becomes a thick fruit compote in just a few minutes and it's perfect served on yogurt, ice cream waffles etc...

It's a versatile sauce that's perfect for using up seasonal plums!

This recipe was originally posted on 6 August 2020. Republished on 10 June 2025 with new photos and updated text.

Jump to:

• What is compote?
• Why you'll love this recipe
• Ingredients
• Step by step tutorial
• Variations
• Tips
• Storage and freezing
• Serving Suggestions
• How to freeze plums
• Compote Recipes
• Get the recipe
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

What is compote?

Compote is fruit that is cooked until it breaks down, with a little sugar added. It's less sweet than jam and quicker to make, but it doesn't last as long.

It's a great way to use up seasonal fruit and turns it into a thick chunky plum compote that's perfect for topping ice cream, waffles, oatmeal and much more.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Three ingredients. No spices, no citrus, just the essentials.
• Takes 20–25 minutes. Most of it is simmer time.
• Great use for ripe or overripe plums. Saves waste.
• Works warm or chilled. You can serve it straight or make it ahead.
• Versatile. Use it for breakfast, dessert, or even with meats.
• Vegan and gluten-free by default. No special swaps needed.
• Easy to customize. Add spices or other fruits if you want.
• Freezer-friendly. Keeps well.
• Great for batch cooking. Double it and use all week.
• Naturally colorful. No need for food coloring.
• Less sweet than jam, and much easier to make.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy plum compote!

Plums - any fresh, ripe plums work - or use frozen (just cook it a little longer)
Sugar - use any sugar: organic, vegan, brown, sugar-in-the-raw
Lemon juice - or substitute orange or clementine juice.
Cinnamon stick (optional) - or use ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Step by step tutorial

Wondering how to make plum compote?

This is SUCH an easy recipe! Seriously, if it's your first time making compote, you'll wonder why it isn't your go-to way to use up fruit.

Follow these step by step photos, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Wash and halve the plums. Remove and discard the stones, leave the skin on them and cut into quarters.

Add the sugar, water, lemon juice and cinnamon stick (if using) to a pot. Heat for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves.

Add the plums and bring to the boil.

Reduce the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-10 minutes or until the fruit begins to break down.
The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools.
Enjoy warm or allow to cool and store in a jar in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Variations

• Add cinnamon or star anise for warmth.
• Stir in a splash of vanilla extract after cooking.
• Replace sugar with honey or maple syrup.
• Mix in other fruits like cherries, peaches, or raspberries.
• Add a splash of red wine or port for depth.
• Cook it down more for a thicker, jammy texture.
• Leave the fruit chunky or purée for a smoother finish.
• Add a pinch of salt to round out the sweetness.
• Cook with orange juice instead of water for more citrus.

Tips

• There's no need to peel the plums. Not only is it a fiddly, messy job, but the skins add color, taste and fibre to the compote.
• The color of your compote will depend on the variety of fruit you use.
• Try adding in two star anise for another great flavor.
• The cinnamon stick is optional, but does give a great taste. Substitute for ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon if you don't have a stick.
• Swap the lemon juice for orange juice for a different flavor.
• Try with 2 tablespoon maple syrup instead of sugar.
• Still have more plums to use up? Try Stewed Plums. They're less of a sauce and are more like poached plum halves.
  

Storage and freezing

Fridge: Keep in a lidden jar in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Freezer: Store the completely cooled compote in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months.

Serving Suggestions

• Fold into whipped cream or mascarpone for a quick fruit mousse.
• Spoon over Greek yogurt or plain yogurt.
• Drizzle on pancakes or waffles.
• Layer into a trifle or parfait.
• Use as a topping for cheesecake.
• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
• Spread on toast or scones.
• Stir into overnight oats.
• On toast with ricotta.
• As a cake filling.
• Be sure to also try Plum Syrup or Stewed Plums.

How to freeze plums

Plums are very abundant when they're in season. I like to batch freeze them so I have them in the winter to make this awesome plum compote and other recipes.

To freeze plums, simply halve them and remove the stone. Depending on what you'll use them for, you can leave them as halves, slice them or chop them into chunks.

Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (a few hours to overnight depending on your freezer and the size of the plums). Then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freezing them first on a tray stops them from freezing in a clump.

Compote Recipes

If you love this plum compote recipe as much as we do, then be sure to try these other tasty (and easy!) fruit compote recipes.

Raspberry Compote
Blackberry Compote
Mango Compote
Pineapple Compote
Apple Compote with Cinnamon and Raisins
Peach Compote
Blueberry Compote
Rhubarb Compote
Strawberry Compote

Check out this list of the BEST Fruit Compote Recipes

Get the recipe

Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers. You all allow me to do what I love and write this food blog. I love sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes with you all.
Kate x

📖 Recipe