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The Best Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad

Strawberry Caprese salad is a classic summer salad that’ll delight fans of Panera’s strawberry caprese salad. This light dish bursts with the sweetness of the fresh berries and basil, spicy arugula and creamy bites of mozzarella. A sweet balsamic drizzles coats adds the finishing touch.

Strawberry Caprese salad is a classic summer meal. This light dish bursts with the sweetness of the fresh berries and basil, spicy arugula and creamy bites of mozzarella. A sweet balsamic drizzles coats adds the finishing touch.
Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad with Arugula
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Say hello to the best summer strawberry salad and a delicious light lunch.

It’s fresh, bursting with sweet strawberries, creamy mozzarella, tangy balsamic reduction, and spicy arugula.

And if I deconstruct it- the kids eat it. Well, they eat the cheese and the strawberries, which I’ll take.

This arugula caprese salad with strawberries is also so much yummier and less expensive than hitting up Panera for their version of this salad.

You know the berries will be freshly cut and you can make at least 2 salads for the cost of one of theirs.

Again, I’ll take it.

Plus, it’s easier for me to toss this together at home than it is to load all the kids in the car and drive to Panera to sit in the drive thru line.

Ingredients and Kitchen Supplies

Ingredients for Strawberry Caprese Salad with Arugula: Arugula, Strawberries, Mozzarella, Basil, Balsamic Vinegar, and Honey
Ingredients for Strawberry Caprese Salad with Arugula: Arugula, Strawberries, Mozzarella, Basil, Balsamic Vinegar, and Honey
  • Strawberries
  • Mozzarella– Any kind of mozzarella works here. I’m using the little balls of fresh mozzarella here but I often find the bigger balls or logs of it on sale. If you have the mini ones, you’re good to go with no prep. If you use a larger ball, just cut it into 1 inch pieces.
  • Basil– Go for fresh basil here instead of dried. This salad is perfect to use up all the basil from summer herb gardens.
  • Arugula– Feel free to sub any other fresh green you want here or use a mix of arugula and chopped romaine. I often will buy any dark leafy green that is on sale.
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Honey

You’ll also need:

How to Make

This salad recipe is so easy! To make it:

1. Prep the strawberries.

Hull and slice the strawberries before putting them in the salad
Hull and slice the strawberries before putting them in the salad

Cut the stems off the strawberries and slice the strawberries.

2. Assemble the salad.

Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad waiting for dressing
Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad

Once the strawberries are cleaned, add them to a bowl or a serving platter with the arugula, fresh mozzarella and basil. Gently toss the ingredients together.

How to Make Dressing for Strawberry Salad

Whisk together the balsamic vinegar and honey in a saucepan and cook it until it reduces down to make dressing for strawberry salad
The dressing for the strawberry caprese salad will be sort of thin before it cooks down

The dressing is the finishing touch for this caprese salad with strawberries that makes it *chef’s kiss* perfection.

A honey balsamic reduction pairs so well with the strawberries and arugula.

It’s tangy from the balsamic but the honey balances it super well and cuts through the little pucker you get from the balsamic.

To make the dressing:

Whisk the honey and balsamic vinegar together in a small saucepan.

Cook over medium low heat until the dressing reduces by a third and coats the back of a spoon.

the dressing for strawberry salad is done when it coats the back of a spoon
The dressing for strawberry salad is done when it coats the back of a spoon

Drizzle over the salad and enjoy!

Strawberry Caprese salad is a classic summer meal. This light dish bursts with the sweetness of the fresh berries and basil, spicy arugula and creamy bites of mozzarella. A sweet balsamic drizzles coats adds the finishing touch.
Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad with Arugula

Serving and Storing

Strawberry Caprese salad is a classic summer meal. This light dish bursts with the sweetness of the fresh berries and basil, spicy arugula and creamy bites of mozzarella. A sweet balsamic drizzles coats adds the finishing touch.
Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad with Arugula

I would recommend eating this the same day you make it.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and eat them within 24 hours for best texture. You can serve it as lunch or dinner on its own or with a loaf of crusty bread. 

FAQs

u003cstrongu003eWhat does Caprese mean?u003c/strongu003e

Caprese is a type of salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. It normally has a drizzle of olive oil and sometimes balsamic vinegar. Strawberry caprese replaces sweet tomatoes with sweet summer strawberries instead.

What other dressing can I use for strawberry salad?

If you are looking for another option, you could try the Italian vinaigrette that we use on this u003ca href=u0022https://www.seasonedsprinkles.com/salad-with-strawberries-and-candied-pecans/u0022u003estrawberry salad with pecansu003c/au003e.

Tips and Tricks

Strawberry Caprese salad is a classic summer meal. This light dish bursts with the sweetness of the fresh berries and basil, spicy arugula and creamy bites of mozzarella. A sweet balsamic drizzles coats adds the finishing touch.
Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad with Arugula
  • Don’t want to make the balsamic reduction? No problem! Whisk together some balsamic vinegar and olive oil and drizzle that on instead or use your favorite store bought dressing.
  • Want to fill it out a little more and some protein? Try it with this grilled chicken or toss in some toasted almonds or walnuts. You could also use the shrimp from this shrimp Caprese salad.
  • Feel free to sub out other greens or omit the greens all together.

Can I make this ahead of time?

I wouldn’t make it too far ahead of time. If you do want to bring it to work for lunch or to a party, I’d slice the strawberries first and bring them in a separate container from the greens. I would also forgo the balsamic glaze and bring a side of portable oil and vinegar.

Other Caprese Recipes You’ll Love

Strawberry Caprese salad is a classic summer meal. This light dish bursts with the sweetness of the fresh berries and basil, spicy arugula and creamy bites of mozzarella. A sweet balsamic drizzles coats adds the finishing touch.
Summer Strawberry Caprese Salad with Arugula

I am hugely Caprese obsessed. It’s one of my all time favorite foods, especially in the summer.  Try one of these variations:

Did you make this? Let me know!

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Strawberry Caprese Salad makes a delicious summer lunch.

Strawberry Caprese Salad

Strawberry Caprese salad is a classic summer meal. This light dish bursts with the sweetness of the fresh berries and basil, spicy arugula and creamy bites of mozzarella. A sweet balsamic drizzles coats adds the finishing touch.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: salad, vegetarian, lunch, dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Caprese with Arugula, Strawberry Caprese salad, Summer Strawberry Caprese, Summer strawberry salad
Servings: 2 lunch or dinner portions, 4 appetizer portions
Author: jfletcher

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of sliced strawberries
  • 1 cup of mozzarella either mini balls or a bigger ball diced
  • 4 cups of arugula or other leafy greens
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil
  • salt and pepper optional to taste

For the dressing

  • 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbs honey

Instructions

  • Wash and slice the strawberries and dice the mozzarella if not using the little balls.
  • Cut or tear the basil into small pieces.
  • Toss it all together. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
  • To make the balsamic glaze, whisk the the honey and balsamic together in a small sauce pan. Cook over medium heat until the glaze thickens and reduces down by a third. It should take about 5 minutes. Stir the entire time.
  • When the glaze is done, drizzle over the salad and enjoy.

Notes

See post for notes
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  1. […] been doing tons of strawberry caprese salad lately. I’ve totally given up on winter food and am ready for light spring […]

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