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 recipe comes from our first cookbook, and it’s gotten rave reviews time and time again. Like so many spring and summer salads, it’s a perfect example of how fresh, in-season ingredients can combine to make a delicious dish in no time. 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
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.
Combine the berries, tomatoes, basil, avocado, mozzarella, and pecans in a large bowl, and gently toss to coat them in a splash of olive oil. When you’re ready to serve, drizzle the salad with the balsamic reduction and season to taste with salt and pepper. Then, dig in!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
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.
Let me know what variations you try!
Strawberry Salad Serving Suggestions
In my opinion, this strawberry salad recipe can pass as a main or side dish. Paired with veggie burgers, black bean burgers, BBQ jackfruit sandwiches, or portobello mushroom burgers, it’s a fantastic cookout side.
It also makes a lovely summer meal alongside asparagus soup, carrot ginger soup, or gazpacho. If you’re enjoying it on its own, add a slice of crusty bread or homemade focaccia for a fresh and healthy lunch.
More Favorite Salad Recipes
If you love this salad, try one of these summer salads next:
- Best Broccoli Salad
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Greek Salad
- Cucumber Salad
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Italian Chopped Salad
Strawberry Salad with Balsamic
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 fresh basil leaves, torn
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
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.
Notes
I love this. I had it 20 years ago and have remembered it fondly ever since. The hostess had it designed with, I think, a spinach leaf, a slice of avocado, a slice of fresh mozzarella, half a grape tomato, a basil leaf, and the strawberry on top. Drizzled with olive oil and balsamic reduction. It made such a beautiful presentation. And delicious!! So glad to find the recipe here. Thank you!
Hi Lorraine, I’m so glad you loved the recipe!
I’ve had this recipe saved for over a week and finally made it today. Yum! Making this on repeat until I’m out of an ingredient!
I found this recipe in the most recent Costco Magazine. It is excellent. nI would like a calorie count per serving. I would say this makes 6 servings.
Such a lovely salad! it is difficult to be creative when it comes to salad but this looks yummy and different! I will try it.
Hi Claudia, thanks for your sweet comment! I hope you enjoy.
This is truly one of the best salad’s I’ve ever prepared. So many flavors that work together seamlessly. I used feta indread of mozzarella and a fig balsamic glaze instead of taking the time for reduction.
I’m so glad you loved it!
A very nice salad. We have salads for lunch every other day in the summer: healthy and yummy. Thank you so much.,
I’m so glad you loved it!
I made this dairy free by using vegan feta cheese. It comes as a creamy block that I cut into cubes. I used 4 oz. and it was perfect!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I lov this salad
Can you use a balsamic glaze that comes from a bottle?
I did it was amaze-balls!
I used marinated mozzarella balls and thought it was GREAT. (You can buy them pre-marinated or marinate them yourself. The marinade is just olive oil, garlic, basil, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt.) I used the marinade to make a balsamic vinaigrette, too (in place of a balsamic reduction and olive oil). It added great flavor. Would recommend!
I made this today for a luncheon. Everyone loved it! I’ll be making this again soon.
I love this! I substituted a few things since I didn’t have everything but it turned out great! I replaced the pecans for almonds (used raw), didn’t use avocado and added strawberry mint from my herb garden along with basil. I love this dish and will absolutely make again!
So yummy! Perfect combination of textures and flavors. Didn’t have basil so used baby spinach & threw in some leftover sautéed shredded brussels b/c… why not?! Makes me look forward to summer and trying this with peaches!