Strawberry Caprese salad is one of my family's all-time favourite summertime salads. A new twist on an Italian classic, this version calls for strawberries in lieu of tomatoes for a sweet take on a traditional Caprese salad recipe.
Why You're Going to Love This Salad
As much as I love fresh strawberries, this year we have decided not to grow our own. Why, you may ask? Birds. Yes, the birds. They always get them! And we wouldn't mind sharing our strawberries, but the birds just like to take one bite out of each instead of eating the whole berry.
So not growing our own strawberries means we have to buy them if we want them. Luckily they are easy to find at this time of year in grocery stores, farmer's markets, and fruit stands.
And with strawberry season just beginning, I have my sights set on this fresh, easy and delicious strawberry Caprese salad. With strawberries instead of tomatoes and a peppery balsamic reduction, this salad recipe has the perfect balance of sweet and fresh.
Looking for more strawberry salads? Check out Strawberry Kale Salad. Or try strawberries in baked goods like Strawberry Cake or Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins.
Here's What You Need:
- Strawberries: In season and perfectly sweet, I always use fresh strawberries when I can! If you'd rather make a classic Caprese salad, you can leave out the strawberries and use traditional tomatoes instead.
- Bocconcini: Make sure you have a few bite-sized bocconcini cheese balls for this salad! If needed, you can substitute mozzarella balls, which are larger.
- Basil: You can't have a Caprese salad without fresh basil leaves — they're the perfect way to balance out this fresh dish.
- Other Ingredients: I also used extra virgin olive oil for the salad, as well as dark balsamic vinegar, ground black pepper, and salt to make the balsamic reduction.
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Make Balsamic Reduction
I always start by making a balsamic reduction. To do this, first take a saucepan and bring the balsamic vinegar, pepper, and salt to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium and allow the mixture to boil gently until reduced by ⅔, whisking frequently. After that, remove from heat and allow to cool.
Step 2: Combine Salad Ingredients
Once you've made the balsamic reduction, it's time to start the salad. First, take your favourite salad bowl or mixing bowl. Then combine the strawberries, cheese, and basil. Next whisk the olive oil into the cooled balsamic reduction.
Step 3: Finish and Serve
Finally, just before serving, drizzle your strawberry Caprese salad with the balsamic mixture and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- For best results, remove the stems from your strawberries then cut in halves or quarters. This will help perfect the consistency of your tasty strawberry Caprese salad!
- Enjoy this Caprese salad recipe year round and substitute the strawberries for any of your favourite seasonal fruits.
- Perfect for meal prep, you can toss together a Caprese salad, then add in your favourite proteins, fruits and veggies throughout the week.
FAQs
In its simplest form, this classic Italian salad consists simply of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. It's a great side salad but can also be turned into a meal by adding your favourite protein, like chicken or fish.
Caprese salad is best served at room temperature within 5-10 minutes of completing the recipe.
The biggest difference between the two is size. Bocconcini cheese balls are smaller than mozzarella balls. If you are looking for an even smaller ball of cheese, you can try ciliegine (cherry sized) mozzarella, too!
Looking for more salad recipes?
- Strawberry Kale Salad with Walnuts
- Beet and Grapefruit Salad with Walnuts
- Grilled Apricots and Arugula Salad
- Watermelon Salad Jalapeño Bacon
- Beet Pistachio and Orange Salad
Strawberry Caprese Salad
Ingredients
Balsamic Reduction
- 1 cup dark balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Salad
- 2 cups fresh strawberries sliced
- 1 cup bite sized bocconcini balls
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Balsamic Reduction
- In a sauce pan, bring balsamic vinegar, pepper, and salt to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and allow to boil gently until reduced by two thirds, whisking frequently.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Salad
- In a salad bowl, combine strawberries, cheese, and basil.
- whisk olive oil into the cooled balsamic reduction.
- Just before serving, drizzle salad with the balsamic mixture.
Notes
- Serve immediately at room temperature for best results.
- For best results, remove the stems from your strawberries then cut in halves or quarters. This will help perfect the consistency of your tasty strawberry Caprese salad!
- Enjoy this Caprese salad recipe year round and substitute the strawberries for any of your favourite seasonal fruits.
- Perfect for meal prep, you can toss together a Caprese salad then add in your favourite proteins, fruits and veggies throughout the week.
Kelly Ohnona
this is totally my type of springy-summery salad! Thanks for the inspiration!
Colleen
Thanks Kelly!
Dina
Colleen, what a great idea and I have not seen this anywhere else. When the strawberries are good this must be a delicious salad. Interesting that the birds get your berries. Your garden must be quite something, you grow so many things.
Colleen
Dina, thanks for your comment. This really is a delicious salad. Yes, we are blessed to live out in the country and grow our food, and love it, but the work involved is crazy. We are cutting back on things quite a bit this year, starting with the strawberries.