Name: Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 lb strawberries (hulled and sliced); 1 pint blueberries; 8 ounces mozzarella pearls (drained); handful of fresh basil (chiffonade); 2 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Jump to Recipe

There’s just something magical about the Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad—a bright, juicy twist on Italian classic that always turns heads at picnics, potlucks, and holiday spreads. Imagine sweet strawberries and juicy blueberries mingling with creamy mozzarella and aromatic basil, all drizzled with a glossy honey-balsamic dressing. It’s that kind of showstopper that tastes as stunning as it looks, bursting with color and flavor in every single bite. There’s really no better way to celebrate the best produce summer has to offer!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Part of what makes this Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad so irresistible is its handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each one brings something special to the table, so don’t be afraid to splurge on the juiciest berries or the silkiest mozzarella you can find!

Strawberries (2 lb): Pick ripe, ruby-red berries for the sweetest flavor—the star of the show!
Blueberries (1 pint): Their tart pop balances out the creamy and sweet flavors in the salad.
Mozzarella pearls (8 ounces): Go for the freshest, softest pearls; they soak up the dressing beautifully.
Fresh basil (handful, chiffonade): Sliced into delicate ribbons, basil brings its signature aroma and a gorgeous hint of green.
Honey (2 tablespoons): A little sweetness highlights the fruit and rounds off the vinaigrette.
Balsamic vinegar (2 tablespoons): Lends tang and just a smidge of depth, balancing fruit and dairy.
Olive oil (1/4 cup): Smooth and mellow, this brings the whole salad together.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential to draw out every ounce of flavor from the fruits and cheese.
Ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): A subtle hit of spice that enlivens each bite.

How to Make Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients

Start by rinsing your berries well. Hull and slice your strawberries into pretty, bite-sized pieces—that way, every forkful is perfectly balanced. Drain your mozzarella pearls so they stay fresh and light, not watery. For the basil, stack the leaves, roll them like a cigar, and then slice into thin chiffonade ribbons; this preserves their vibrant color and aroma.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Vinaigrette

In a small bowl, combine the honey, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Use a fork or miniature whisk to blend it until glossy and fully emulsified. The honey helps the oil and balsamic cling together, creating a silky dressing that will coat every piece in the Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad.

Step 3: Gently Mix Salad Ingredients

In a large serving bowl, add your prepped strawberries, whole blueberries, mozzarella pearls, and chiffonade basil. The colors alone will make you smile! Hold off on the dressing for a moment—give everything a gentle toss first so the mozzarella and herbs are evenly dotted throughout.

Step 4: Dress and Toss

Pour the honey-balsamic vinaigrette evenly over the fruit and cheese mixture. Using a big spoon or clean hands, gently toss everything together so every berry and cheese pearl gets a glossy coating. Try not to overmix—just enough that all flavors are distributed without crushing the delicate fruit.

Step 5: Let It Marinate

Here’s the secret: let the Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad rest for about 15 minutes at room temperature. This quick “marination” allows the juices from the fruit to mingle with the dressing, creating a salad that’s perfectly balanced, incredibly juicy, and bursting with flavor in every bite.

How to Serve Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad

Garnishes

For a final flourish, add another sprinkle of fresh basil right before serving to amp up the aroma and make the colors pop. A light drizzle of extra honey or a crack of black pepper can elevate the presentation. If you’re feeling extra, a handful of toasted pine nuts adds crunch and a subtle nuttiness that pairs beautifully.

Side Dishes

This salad shines next to grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or a simple baguette. Its juicy sweetness complements savory dishes, charcoal-grilled meats, or even a spread of other Mediterranean-inspired salads. Picnics and brunches are its natural habitat, but don’t be surprised if it steals the show at your next barbecue!

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging your Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad in alternating layers on a platter for a stunning visual, nestling mozzarella pearls between stripes of strawberries and blueberries. Or, serve individually in clear glasses for an elegant touch—perfect for parties. Skewers are another fun option: stack a strawberry slice, mozzarella pearl, and blueberry on a toothpick, then drizzle with dressing just before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best quality, enjoy within a day, as berries can soften with time. The salad will still taste delicious but may release extra juices, so give it a gentle toss before serving again.

Freezing

This salad isn’t a great candidate for freezing—fresh berries and mozzarella take on a mushy texture once thawed. It’s all about enjoying peak freshness with every forkful, so make just enough for what you’ll eat within a day or two.

Reheating

No reheating required! The Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad is all about crisp, cold, juicy bites. If you’ve chilled it overnight, let it stand at room temperature for ten minutes before serving to bring out the best flavors.

FAQs

Can I use regular mozzarella instead of pearls?

Definitely! If you can’t find pearls, simply dice a block of fresh mozzarella into small, bite-sized cubes. The most important part is using the freshest mozzarella you can find—it makes all the difference in both flavor and texture for your Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely—just prep all your ingredients and whisk the dressing, but keep everything separate until about 30 minutes before serving. Toss together just before your guests arrive for the best texture and the freshest, brightest taste.

How can I make this vegan?

You can easily make a plant-based version by swapping the mozzarella for a vegan alternative (there are some great cashew or almond-based mozzarellas out there), and using agave syrup instead of honey in the dressing. The results will still be deliciously creamy and refreshing!

What other fruits work well in this salad?

Try adding blackberries or raspberries for even more berry brightness. For a stone fruit twist, sliced peaches or plums also work beautifully and play up the summer vibes. Mix and match to suit what’s freshest at your market.

Can the Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad be served as a main dish?

With a little extra protein—grilled chicken or chickpeas tossed in, perhaps—this salad easily becomes a light and satisfying main course, especially on those sultry summer nights when you want something cool and effortless.

Final Thoughts

There’s truly nothing like a big bowl of Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad to celebrate the flavors of the season. Treat yourself and your friends to something vibrant, unexpected, and absolutely delicious—you’ll find it disappears faster than any other dish on the table!

Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 13 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A delightful twist on the classic Caprese salad, this Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad combines the sweetness of ripe strawberries and blueberries with creamy mozzarella pearls, fresh basil, and a tangy balsamic dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

Strawberry Caprese Salad:

2 lb strawberries (hulled and sliced)
1 pint blueberries
8 ounces mozzarella pearls (drained)
handful of fresh basil (chiffonade)

Balsamic 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 strawberries. Drain mozzarella and chiffonade basil.
Balsamic Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Combine: In a large bowl, mix strawberries, blueberries, mozzarella pearls, and basil.
Toss: Pour the balsamic dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Serve: Let the salad stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Italian