In a medium pot over medium heat, combine strawberries, sugar and vanilla. Stir so the strawberries are well covered with sugar.
Heat for 5 minutes, stir. Use a mashing utensil to get more juice from the strawberries. If the sugar is all dissolved and there is syrup from mashing, you’re done.
Turn heat off and remove pot from stove. Let cool. Once cool, put strawberries in the refrigerator to chill.