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Juicy Balsamic Strawberry Caprese Salad for Summer Bliss Recipe

4.6 from 94 reviews

A refreshing and vibrant summer salad combining juicy strawberries, sweet blueberries, creamy mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil, all dressed in a homemade honey balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect as a light appetizer or side dish, this Juicy Balsamic Strawberry Caprese Salad bursts with sweet and tangy flavors for a blissful summer experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 lb strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 pint blueberries
  • 8 ounces mozzarella pearls, drained
  • Handful fresh basil, chiffonade

Dressing Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prep the Produce & Cheese: Clean and hull the strawberries, then slice them uniformly using a knife or an egg slicer for even pieces. Thoroughly drain the mozzarella pearls to prevent excess water in the salad. Chiffonade the fresh basil leaves into delicate strips to enhance the salad’s presentation.
  2. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and ground black pepper until the mixture emulsifies and becomes smooth, creating a balanced sweet and tangy vinaigrette.
  3. Combine the Salad: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced strawberries, blueberries, mozzarella pearls, and chiffonade basil, taking care not to bruise the fruit or cheese, to maintain a beautiful and fresh appearance.
  4. Dress & Rest: Pour the honey balsamic dressing evenly over the salad and gently toss to coat all the ingredients well. Let the salad rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. For added texture and sweetness, optionally top with sugared almonds before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh, ripe strawberries and blueberries for the best flavor.
  • Drain mozzarella pearls well to avoid watery salad.
  • Allowing the salad to rest before serving enhances the depth of flavors.
  • Sugared almonds add a delightful crunchy texture if desired.
  • This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours.

Keywords: Strawberry salad, Caprese salad, summer salad, balsamic vinaigrette, mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, blueberry salad, no cook salad, fresh fruit salad