Erin’s Recipe Rundown
I love how this raspberry coulis seems fancy, but really couldn’t be simpler!
I love drizzling it on rich and fudgy chocolate recipes, pouring it on top of vanilla ice cream, using it as a pancake topping, and so much more. Guests are always so impressed!
Why You’ll Love It: Made with only 3 simple ingredients, this delicious coulis cooks up in only 5 minutes for one EASY topping recipe. It pairs so well with dessert and breakfast recipes alike!
Top Tip: I recommend tasting the berries first and adjusting the sugar measurement accordingly. You can even use honey or agave for a refined sugar-free option!
For more fruit toppings, try this fruit compote, raspberry compote, strawberry compote, blueberry compote, or apple compote.
xoxo erin
Featured Comment
From Abby: “Made this to go on top of my classic cheesecake and wow! Took it to the next level. Going to make this again to try on some chocolate cake next. Great recipe.”
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make this raspberry coulis. Jump to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest add brightness and acidity in a way bottled lemon juice can’t. You can play with flavors by using fresh orange juice and zest (or any citrus). Or leave the citrus out completely and replace it with water.
- Raspberries: I like to use fresh berries, but frozen ones will work too. Simply skip the mashing in Step 1 and increase the cook time to 8-10 minutes.
You might also like these gluten-free raspberry crumb bars or this gluten-free raspberry pretzel salad.
How to Make Raspberry Coulis
Here’s an overview of how to make this recipe. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions!
Raspberry taste test: Before you start, taste the berries to judge their sweetness. You may not need to use the full sugar measurement or any at all!
Just 3 simple ingredients: Throw the ingredients in a saucepan and mash the fresh raspberries to release their juices. Skip the mashing if using frozen berries!
One quick recipe: Simmer the coulis until the sugar dissolves and the raspberries are broken down. It usually only takes 3-5 minutes so keep an eye on it!
Remove the seeds: For a smooth coulis, pour it through a fine mesh strainer placed over a heatproof bowl. You’ll need to use a spoon to gently force the coulis through the sieve.
Cool and serve: Let the coulis cool completely before serving or storing. This recipe pairs well with so many recipes!
Option to add alcohol: If you’d like to add a bit of alcohol to this recipe, try adding ½ ounce of orange liqueur or limoncello while it’s still warm, then let it cool.
What to Serve with Raspberry Coulis
You can enjoy this sauce as a topping for so many different dessert and breakfast dishes! Here are some of my favorite pairing ideas for this raspberry coulis:
3-Ingredient Raspberry Coulis
Ingredients
- 1 package (6 ounces) fresh raspberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Add the raspberries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a medium saucepan. Using a fork or pastry blender, mash the berries until they begin to release their juices.
- Set the pan over medium heat and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved and the berries have broken down.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a heatproof bowl and pour the raspberry coulis through the sieve. Use a spoon to gently stir the sauce and force it through the sieve. Discard the seeds.
- Allow the sauce to cool completely before enjoying.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in January 2023. It was updated with new photos and instructions in October 2025.
Simplest way to make the coulis. Just the right sweetness with a tangy lemon fragrance. Thanks for sharing the recipe
We’re so pleased you enjoyed the coulis recipe, Diana! Thank you for your positive feedback!
I am making this again for Vday! It’s super easy, vibrant and delicious.
This is so tasty that I could eat it all day long! Thank you for the easy recipe!
We absolutely loved this on pancakes! Added such a fun touch!
Used this recipe for Chocolate cake and it turned out so delicious! I love that it’s gluten free too, what a great recipe!
Made this to go on top of my classic cheesecake and wow! Took it to the next level. Going to make this again to try on some chocolate cake next. Great recipe.
This was incredible! I made this to drizzle on a chocolate dessert that I made and it was fabulous! Thank you!