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Why This Recipe Stands Out
Strawberry Caprese Salad is the perfect summer twist on your Classic Caprese Salad. Here’s what you’ll get:- Easy and Pretty: This simple summer salad recipe comes together in just 15 minutes but is impressive enough to serve to guests.
- Tastes Like Summer: This Strawberry Caprese Salad will be on rotation for the rest of summer. It’s jam packed with all our favorite summer fruits and veggies.
- NOT Boring: We’re a fan of all the strawberry recipes—especially when they’re in season. This isn’t your typical caprese recipe!
- It’s Healthy: Luscious berries, creamy avocado, fresh basil, and rich balsamic vinaigrette is 100 percent in the healthy category.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh Strawberries: Start off with the freshest, ripest, sweetest berries you can get. Our favorite are, of course, organic local strawberries fresh off the vine.
- Fresh Basil: If you’re lucky enough to grow your own basil, you’ve got this part down. Otherwise, be sure to buy fresh basil.
- Cherry Tomatoes: We prefer cherry tomatoes for this recipe because of their summery sweetness and perfect level of crunch.
- Avocado: Look for avocado that are ripe yet still firm enough to easily slice. Save the too-soft ones for this 5-Minute Guacamole.
- Mozzarella: Fresh pearl mozzarella balls are our favorite for this recipe because of their ease and cuteness.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Get your hands on the best balsamic vinegar that you can get. For tips on buying and reducing balsamic, check out our Balsamic Glaze Recipe.
Substitutions and Variations
Check out these delicious variations:- Add Protein: Make this a full meal, by adding grilled shrimp or chicken like we do in this Grilled Chicken Caprese Salad Recipe.
- Make it Vegan: Strawberry Caprese salad can easily be made vegan by omitting the mozzarella or replacing it with a vegan substitute or even cubed tofu.
- Play with the Herbs: While basil is essential for a traditional Caprese salad, we like sprinkling in some extra herbs in the summer. Fresh mint pairs amazingly with strawberries.
- Sweeten the Balsamic Reduction: For a sweeter balsamic reduction, add a spoonful of honey while it is still hot after reducing it.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
In a saucepan, bring Balsamic vinegar to a boil and stir until reduced by half.Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.
Prepare all ingredients and gently fold together in a bowl.
Plate, add salt and pepper to taste, and drizzle with Balsamic reduction.
How To Prep Ahead
Here are a few tips and tricks for preparing Strawberry Caprese Salad ahead of time while maintaining peak freshness:- Pre-Chop Ingredients: The strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and basil can be chopped a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Prep Balsamic Reduction: Balsamic reduction will stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 24 hours. You can also refrigerate it for 2 weeks.
- Assemble Salad in Advance: Feel free to assemble the entire salad, minus the dressing, several hours in advance. For best results, wait to add the glaze until serving.
- Avocado-Storing: We recommend waiting to cut the avocado as long as possible to avoid oxidation. You can also squeeze some fresh lime on it to keep it fresh longer.
What To Serve With Strawberry Caprese Salad
Protein- This salad is the perfect healthy side for all your favorite barbeque recipes. Try serving it with these Grilled Chicken Thighs with the Best Marinade.
- We also think these Grilled Shrimp Kabobs make for the perfect light, healthy summer meal paired with Strawberry Caprese Salad.
- Put more of your fresh, summer herbs to use by baking up a loaf of this perfectly, aromatic Rosemary Garlic Bread.
- This Potato Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette is the perfect summer side to pair with this dish.
- Have some extra strawberries left over? Throw together this super easy and delicious No Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake.
- We can’t get enough of this refreshing homemade Strawberry Ice Cream served after a hearty summer meal.
Strawberry Caprese Salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins Cook Time: 0 minutes mins Total Time: 15 minutes minsRelated Stories
5/17/2024
Serves 6
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, good quality
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls, extra mini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup strawberries, ripe, hulled and halved
- 1 large avocado, semi-ripe, diced and sprinkled with lime juice
- 1/2 cup basil leaves, torn to small pieces
- kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Optional: honey roasted almonds, chopped or slivered
In a small saucepan, add the balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil. Boil and stir 3-4 minutes or just until liquid is reduced by about half; should be thick and syrup-like.
Transfer reduction to a small bowl and let cool to room temp.
For the Salad
Hull strawberries and slice in half, halve cherry tomatoes, and dice avocado. Squeeze fresh lime juice over avocado cubes to keep fresh.
When ready to serve, add all ingredients (except balsamic reduction) to a large platter or bowl, folding very gently with rubber spatula.
Add kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, sprinkle with almonds if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Slice the avocado last, prior to serving, and sprinkle with lime juice in order to prevent browning.
- Caprese salad is best when tossed and served immediately. Be sure all ingredients are chilled prior to slicing/combining.
- Balsamic reduction can be made up to 24 hours in advance and kept covered at room temperature.
- Garnish with roasted slivered almonds or make these 5-Minute Garlic Rosemary Roasted Cashews and chop for a super satisfying garnish.
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Nutrition (per serving)
