Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad Recipe
Juicy berries, velvety mozzarella, and aromatic basil come together for an unforgettable flavor symphony in this Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad. Vibrant and refreshing, this twist on the classic Caprese will brighten any table with its sweet-tart notes and fresh summer vibe. It’s the perfect marriage of sweet strawberries and blueberries, creamy cheese, and a honey-balsamic dressing that makes every bite sing. Whether you’re entertaining friends alfresco or just treating yourself to a sparkling side dish, this salad puts summer’s best flavors front and center.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of fresh, colorful ingredients, Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad comes together in a snap. Each component brings its own flair—crunch, sweetness, creaminess, or a pop of herby freshness—making every bite a little celebration of summer.
- Strawberries (2 lb): Ripe, sweet strawberries are the star; slice them evenly for the perfect bite every time.
- Blueberries (1 pint): These juicy gems add a pretty burst of color and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
- Mozzarella pearls (8 ounces): Creamy, bite-sized mozzarella pearls are easy to use and evenly distribute cheese in each forkful.
- Fresh basil (handful, chiffonade): The basil’s fragrant, peppery notes make the salad pop with classic Caprese flavor.
- Honey (2 tbsp): Just a touch of honey brings the dressing together with mellow sweetness.
- Balsamic vinegar (2 tbsp): Rich, tangy balsamic complements the fruit’s sweetness and adds a gourmet finish.
- Olive oil (1/4 cup): A good olive oil gives the dressing a velvety, luscious texture.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Don’t skip this; salt heightens all the natural flavors.
- Ground black pepper (1/4 tsp): A little pepper adds just the right touch of warmth to tie it all together.
How to Make Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by giving your berries a gentle but careful rinse under cold water; pat them dry thoroughly so no excess moisture waters down your salad. Hull and slice the strawberries into bite-sized pieces, striving for uniform size. Drain the mozzarella pearls to keep things light and creamy, and chiffonade your basil to release its fragrance—just stack, roll, and thinly slice those glossy leaves. A few extra minutes of prep guarantees a salad that looks as gorgeous as it tastes!
Step 2: Whisk Up the Dressing
In a small bowl, combine the honey, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the mixture emulsifies and looks glossy. The balance here is key: the honey’s subtle sweetness tempers the acidity of the balsamic, while olive oil makes everything silky and smooth. Taste the dressing and adjust the honey or vinegar as needed—remember, this will be the bright spark in your Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad.
Step 3: Combine Salad Ingredients
Grab a roomy bowl and gently tumble in the strawberries, blueberries, mozzarella pearls, and chopped basil. Use a large spoon or your hands to mix everything lightly. Take care with the berries—you want everything to stay plump and juicy, not mashed together. Just the colors alone are enough to make you smile, but wait until you taste it!
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Pour the honey-balsamic dressing over your fruit, cheese, and basil. Use gentle, sweeping motions to toss the salad so the dressing glazes every morsel. This is where the magic happens: the berries absorb a shine, the cheese picks up the vinaigrette, and the basil releases its scent. Let the finished salad stand for about 15 minutes; this short rest helps the flavors meld beautifully and turns every spoonful into a juicy, bright forkful of summer.
How to Serve Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad
Garnishes
For a final flourish, scatter a few extra basil ribbons or whole baby basil leaves on top of your Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad. A light drizzle of aged balsamic or a dusting of cracked black pepper gives that touch of restaurant-level polish. If you have edible flowers handy, they add even more whimsy and color, perfect for a special occasion or just a sunny day treat.
Side Dishes
This salad plays well as a starter or side. It shines next to grilled chicken, seared salmon, or crusty artisan bread. Try pairing Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad with a light pasta or a fruity rosé for a lunch that tastes like a mini-vacation. Its fresh, sweet-savory vibe balances richer dishes or brightens a picnic spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad in stemless wine glasses for an elegant look, or spoon it onto endive leaves for appetizer-sized bites. Scooping it into individual mason jars makes for easy, portable servings at a picnic or party. You can even skewer the fruits, cheese, and basil on long picks, drizzle with dressing, and watch guests line up for these colorful kabobs.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While best enjoyed fresh, it will keep for up to two days. The berries might release a bit of juice, but a gentle toss before serving revives the texture and flavor beautifully.
Freezing
Unfortunately, freezing this salad is not recommended. Freezing will change the berries’ texture and make the cheese rubbery, which can spoil that fresh, vibrant taste and tender mouthfeel that make Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad so delightful.
Reheating
This is strictly a salad to be served chilled or at room temperature. Warming or reheating is not suitable, as it can wilt the basil and compromise the flavors. If your salad has gotten too cold, simply let it stand on the counter for ten minutes before serving.
FAQs
Can I make Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep the fruit, cheese, and dressing up to a day in advance and store them separately in the fridge. Toss everything together just before serving to keep things fresh and fabulous.
What if I can’t find mozzarella pearls?
No worries. You can easily cut fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) into bite-sized pieces or even tear a large mozzarella ball into rustic chunks. Just aim for similar-sized pieces so every bite is the perfect mix.
Can I substitute another fruit for blueberries?
Yes! While blueberries add lovely color and flavor, blackberries or halved grapes also taste fantastic. You can even try segments of clementines for a zesty twist in your Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad.
Is this salad gluten free?
Yes, as written, this Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad is naturally gluten free. Just double-check your balsamic vinegar and other store-bought ingredients if serving to someone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.
What’s the best way to chiffonade basil?
Stack the basil leaves, roll them into a tight log, and slice thinly with a very sharp knife. This creates beautiful green ribbons that look stunning and distribute that amazing basil aroma throughout your salad.
Final Thoughts
If you love celebrating the best of the season, you absolutely have to try making this Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser with flavors as bright as a summer afternoon. Trust me—one bite, and you’ll find yourself craving it at every gathering or sunny lunch!
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Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and refreshing twist on the classic Caprese salad, this Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad is a vibrant dish perfect for warm weather. Juicy strawberries, sweet blueberries, creamy mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil are tossed in a tangy honey balsamic vinaigrette for a burst of flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 lb strawberries (hulled and sliced)
- 1 pint blueberries
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls (drained)
- Handful of fresh basil (chiffonade)
For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep: Clean, hull, and slice the strawberries. Drain the mozzarella. Chiffonade the basil.
- In a small bowl, combine honey, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk until combined.
- Combine strawberries, blueberries, mozzarella pearls, and basil in a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing on top of the salad and toss to combine. Let it stand for 15 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Summer, Strawberry, Caprese Salad, Salad Recipe, Strawberry Recipe, Healthy
