Salad needn’t always include lettuce. This summer salad consists of juicy tomatoes, ripe avocado, fresh basil and mozzarella which are all drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze!
It’s so fresh, very simple, and would make the perfect accompaniment to any meal or a quick side to bring to that next BBQ!
Balsamic glaze is a slow reduction of balsamic vinegar, which after being cooked down for about half an hour, thickens and becomes much more concentrated. Because it’s thick, it coats the tomatoes and avocado nicely and doesn’t fall to the bottom of the bowl, like regular vinegar does.
Often times I buy balsamic glaze already made (it’s near the regular balsamic vinegar at the grocery store) but you can easily make it yourself by simmering one cup balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over med-low heat for 20-30 minutes, or until the vinegar becomes thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. You can even add a little honey or maple syrup to sweeten it up a bit and cut through some of the tang.
Use your favorite tomatoes or some from your garden! If you have the ability to grow a plethora of fresh veggies in your backyard, I am super jealous happy for you! I’m still trying to figure out how to get my thumb to turn green!
After you get everything cut up and in the bowl, just drizzle on your olive oil and balsamic glaze, then season with salt and pepper.
That’s it. I know right, it’s too easy!
My family loves the fresh mozzarella. The good thing about it being in big chunks is that people like me, who can’t eat a lot of dairy, can just eat around it! You can also just leave out the cheese to make this dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
I hope you are having a lovely start to the summer! Enjoy!
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Avocado Caprese Salad
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
An easy & delicious salad perfect for any occasion! It only has a handful of ingredients and is ready in minutes. Just leave out the cheese to make it vegan!
Ingredients
- 3 cups tomatoes (about 1lb.) cut into wedges I used a mix of baby heirloom and kumato
- 1 whole ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
- handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped or left whole if small
- 8 oz., about 1 cup fresh mozzarella chunks, optional
- 2–3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, enough to coat
- Drizzle of Balsamic Glaze
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine tomato and avocado slices in a large bowl. Add fresh basil, mozzarella, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze and toss to coat. Makes 4-6 servings.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Category: Salad, Side
What a beautiful salad! Caprese is my favourite, and I love the combination of avocado with mozzarella!! They’re both so creamy and delicious. This recipe is stunning, healthy and delicious! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Thank you, Harriet Emily! You’re right, the creaminess is what makes it. The flavor combination is out of this world good!
This looks absolutely amazing! This looks like the best and healthiest salad I’ve ever seen!
Thank you, Kait! I hope you enjoy it!! 🙂
This looks perfect. I love the use of colour g niceland textures and flavours here. So yummy.
We do grow stuff in the garden and our tomatoes are coming along nicely. But I have to say – it’s mainly my husband who potters about. I’m useless in the garden 🙂
Thanks as always for sharing such yummy recipes.
Hugs
Kimberly
Haha, that sounds like me, Kimberly! 😉 I wish I had more knowledge and use in the garden. Maybe one day.. Thanks so much for your kind words and for stopping by, my friend!
Oh my! I will definitely be making this soon:-) looks SO yummy! That’s really cool about balsamic glaze, no one likes their dressing to fall beneath all their salad;-) Plus, this salad looks beautiful! Thanks, Joscelyn:-)
Haha, exactly! 😉 Thanks so much, Andele!
I was just thinking about getting a caprese sandwich with avocado today! This salad sounds like a much healthier alternative. I definitely need to try your balsamic glaze!
Lisa \\ Strum Simmer Sip
Thank you, Lisa! We LOVE caprese anything and that sandwich sounds delicious! The balsamic glaze is great and really helps tie the flavors together:) Please let me know how you like it!