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The Best Juicy Balsamic Strawberry Caprese Salad

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This Strawberry Caprese Salad is the perfect summer side dish! It’s fresh, juicy, and bursting with flavor from sweet strawberries, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a tangy balsamic glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Salad:
  • 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (or quartered if large)
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls (ciliegine) or torn buffalo mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chiffonade
  • 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds or pine nuts
  • For the Balsamic Glaze:
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • For Serving:
  • Flaky sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Make the Balsamic Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar and honey. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until the mixture has reduced by about half and coats the back of a spoon. It will thicken further as it cools. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. Assemble the Salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the halved strawberries, mozzarella pearls, and torn basil leaves.
  3. Drizzle and Toss: Drizzle the cooled balsamic glaze and a generous glug of extra virgin olive oil over the salad. Gently toss to combine.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with the toasted almonds or pine nuts. Season with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: This salad is best served immediately. If you need to prep ahead, keep the components separate and combine just before serving. You can make the balsamic glaze up to a week in advance and store it in the fridge. Substitutions: Use pine nuts for a more traditional flavor, or sliced almonds for a nice crunch. Burrata or fresh mozzarella balls work great. A good aged balsamic vinegar can be drizzled directly without reducing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheerychop.com/balsamic-strawberry-caprese-salad-recipe/