Fresh Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Welcome to a delightful strawberry salad that combines the beloved elements of a traditional Caprese with the sweet punch of fresh strawberries. This strawberry salad brings together juicy strawberries, creamy mozzarella, and ripe avocado for a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. The reduced balsamic vinegar adds a sophisticated touch, creating a salad that works equally well as a light lunch or an elegant starter for dinner guests.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Salad
This isn’t your ordinary green salad with strawberries tossed in. The combination of sweet berries, creamy cheese, and buttery avocado creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The reduced balsamic glaze adds a tangy sweetness that ties everything together, while the toasted pecans provide a satisfying crunch. Whether you’re looking for something special for a summer gathering or simply want to elevate your weeknight dinner, this strawberry and mozzarella pairing delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients for Strawberry Caprese Salad
Here’s everything you’ll need to create this beautiful dish:
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup halved mini mozzarella balls
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted and diced
- ⅓ cup pecans, toasted
- ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
How to Make Strawberry Salad
Follow these simple steps to create this stunning strawberry salad:
- Begin by making the balsamic reduction. Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and bring it to a high simmer over medium heat.
- Once simmering, stir the vinegar and reduce the heat to low. Allow it to simmer until the vinegar has thickened and reduced by half, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
- While the balsamic reduction cools, arrange the sliced strawberries, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, diced avocado, toasted pecans, and torn basil leaves in a shallow bowl or platter.
- Drizzle the arranged ingredients with a generous amount of extra-virgin olive oil.
- Season the salad with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Gently toss all ingredients to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado or strawberries.
- Just before serving, drizzle the cooled balsamic reduction over the entire salad.
Tips & Variations for the Perfect Strawberry Salad
Choose the Right Berries
For the best strawberry caprese salad, select berries that are firm, bright red, and fragrant. If strawberries aren’t in season, you can create a strawberry blueberry salad by substituting half the strawberries with fresh blueberries for added color and flavor.
Cheese Options
While mini mozzarella balls provide classic Caprese flavor, this versatile salad works beautifully with other cheeses. Try creating a strawberry feta salad or strawberry goat cheese salad variation by making a simple swap. Both feta and goat cheese add a tangy dimension that complements the sweet berries perfectly.
Nut Alternatives
Don’t have pecans on hand? This salad is equally delicious as a strawberry walnut salad. You can also try almonds or pistachios for different flavor profiles. Just remember to toast any nuts you use to enhance their flavor and crunch.
Add Some Greens
Transform this into a strawberry arugula salad by adding 2 cups of fresh arugula as a base. The peppery flavor of arugula creates a wonderful contrast with the sweet strawberries. For a milder option, baby spinach works beautifully too.
Make It a Meal
To turn this into a more substantial dish, add grilled chicken breast or shrimp for protein. You could also incorporate quinoa or farro for a heartier grain-based salad with strawberries and pecans.
Salad Dressings That Pair Well With This Salad
While the balsamic reduction adds wonderful flavor, you might want to try these complementary dressings:
- Strawberry Balsamic Salad Dressing: Blend ½ cup strawberries with 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, and ¼ cup olive oil for a fruity variation that enhances the berry flavors.
- Honey Lemon Vinaigrette: Mix 3 tablespoons lemon juice with 1 tablespoon honey, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, and ¼ cup olive oil for a bright, citrusy option that cuts through the richness of the cheese and avocado.
- Basil Vinaigrette: Blend ¼ cup fresh basil leaves with 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 garlic clove, and ⅓ cup olive oil for an herb-forward dressing that complements the basil in the salad.
- Simple Lemon Olive Oil: For a minimalist approach, simply dress your strawberry caprese salad with good quality extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and flaky sea salt.
What to Serve With This Salad
This versatile strawberry salad pairs beautifully with numerous main dishes:
- Grilled Proteins: Serve alongside lemon herb grilled chicken or garlic butter grilled shrimp for a complete summer meal.
- Pasta Dishes: This salad offers a fresh contrast to richer dishes like fettuccine alfredo or a simple spaghetti with olive oil and garlic.
- Sandwiches: Pair with a sun-dried tomato turkey sandwich or chicken bacon ranch subs for a satisfying lunch combination.
- Soups: During cooler months, serve alongside chicken noodle soup or butternut squash soup for a balanced meal.
- Bread: A side of crusty artisan bread or garlic naan makes this salad more substantial and provides something to soak up the delicious juices.
Storage Tips for Strawberry Salad
This strawberry caprese salad is best enjoyed immediately after assembly, but here are some storage tips if needed:
Short-Term Storage
If you need to store the salad for a few hours before serving, assemble all ingredients except the avocado and balsamic reduction. Keep refrigerated, then add the avocado and drizzle with the balsamic glaze just before serving.
Storing Components Separately
For meal prep, store all components separately: keep the sliced strawberries in one container, the tomatoes and mozzarella in another, and wait to cut the avocado until serving time. The balsamic reduction can be stored in a small jar at room temperature for up to a week.
Freezing Not Recommended
This salad doesn’t freeze well, as the texture of the strawberries, tomatoes, and avocado will become mushy once thawed.
FAQs About Strawberry Salad
Can I make the balsamic reduction ahead of time?
Yes! The balsamic reduction can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If it thickens too much during storage, warm it slightly or add a few drops of water.
What’s the best way to keep avocados from browning in this salad?
Add the avocado just before serving. If you need to prepare it in advance, toss the diced avocado with a little lemon or lime juice to prevent browning.
Can I substitute dried basil for fresh in this strawberry salad?
Fresh basil is strongly recommended for this strawberry caprese salad. Dried basil won’t provide the same aromatic quality that makes this salad special. If fresh basil isn’t available, try fresh mint as an alternative.
A Perfect Balance of Flavors
Why This Salad Works
This strawberry caprese salad brilliantly bridges sweet and savory elements, creating a harmonious dish that satisfies multiple cravings at once. The sweetness of ripe strawberries plays beautifully against the creamy mozzarella, while the reduced balsamic adds depth and complexity. It’s a testament to how a few quality ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can create something truly memorable.
I hope you’ll give this strawberry salad a try soon. It’s the perfect way to showcase seasonal berries while creating a dish that feels special enough for entertaining yet simple enough for everyday enjoyment. Whether served as a starter, side, or light main course, this beautiful salad is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Other Salads to Try
Fresh Strawberry Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make the balsamic reduction by simmering vinegar over medium-low heat until reduced by half, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Arrange strawberries, tomatoes, mozzarella, avocado, pecans, and basil in a serving dish.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Notes
- For best results, use ripe but firm strawberries.
- Store components separately if making ahead, and add avocado and balsamic reduction just before serving.
- Try substituting feta or goat cheese for the mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
