This is my sweeter take on a classic Caprese salad, this strawberry salad recipe is bursting with flavor from cherry tomatoes, basil, and tangy balsamic.
This strawberry salad uses under 10 ingredients, but it still has an incredible mix of textures and flavors. The peak-season berries are sweet and juicy, and a handful of soft summer basil adds a surprising fresh accent. Toss in a little cheese and diced avocado for richness, pecans for crunch, and a drizzle of tangy balsamic, and you have a mouthwatering summer meal. Best of all, it comes together in 15 minutes flat!
Strawberry Salad Recipe Ingredients
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 loosely packed basil, torn
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
This strawberry salad recipe is my extra-special take on a Caprese salad. Of course, tomatoes and basil are a match made in heaven, but if you haven’t tried fresh strawberries and basil, you’re in for a treat. To make the base of this salad, I combine all three. Then, I add these simple ingredients:
Avocado and fresh mozzarella, for richness and creamy texture
Toasted pecans, for a nutty crunch
And an easy balsamic reduction, to tie it all together! The tangy balsamic perfectly accents the sweet strawberries.
Instructions
In a small saucepan, bring the balsamic vinegar to a high simmer over medium heat. Stir, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vinegar has thickened and reduced by half, about 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Place the strawberries, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, avocado, pecans and basil in a shallow bowl or platter. Drizzle with olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Gently toss. Drizzle with the reduced balsamic.
Strawberry Salad Recipe Variations
Like most salad recipes, this strawberry salad is flexible. Feel free to play with it to use what you have on hand or to suit your individual tastes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Make it a strawberry spinach salad by tossing in a handful of baby spinach. Arugula would be good too!
Use a basic balsamic vinaigrette instead of the balsamic reduction and olive oil.
For a vegan version, simply skip the cheese! The avocado adds plenty of creaminess, so you really won’t miss it.
Stir in a cup of quinoa or farro to make this salad a full meal.
Use peaches instead of strawberries for a late summer variation.
Try adding another herb! I love berries + mint.
Replace the pecans with a different nut or seed. Toasted walnuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, or even roasted chickpeas would be great here.
Swap the mozzarella for crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese to add a savory, tangy element.
Thanks for tuning in and feel free to check out the other recipes! Give it a try and let us know how you liked it!
-Mimi ❤️