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This Berry Caprese Salad is a fresh twist on the classic, made with juicy berries, mozzarella, and greens, all tossed in a light homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It’s sweet, tangy, and perfect for summer lunches, brunches, or as a bright side dish.
Berry Caprese Salad Recipe
If a classic caprese salad took a summer vacation and came back wearing a fruity sundress, this would be it. This Berry Caprese Salad is sweet, savory, bold, and refreshing, all tossed in a light homemade balsamic vinaigrette that ties it all together.
I’ve been throwing tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil into everything for years, and this one might just be my favorite spin. It’s got juicy berries, creamy mozzarella, crunchy pecans, and all the fresh greens! Whether you’re hosting brunch, bringing a side to a BBQ, or just want to make a Tuesday feel fancy, this salad shows up.
Why You’ll Love This Berry Caprese Salad
- Great for entertaining. It’s colorful, bold, and everyone is always impressed.
- Sweet and savory perfection. Berries plus mozzarella? That’s some salad magic.
- Quick and easy. Throw it together in 10 minutes, no cooking needed.
- That balsamic vinaigrette. So simple, so good. The vinaigrette brings out all the flavors in this caprese salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Salad greens – Any mix will do! I love spring mix or baby spinach here.
- Mixed berries – Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, use whatever’s in season.
- Cherry tomatoes – Adds that classic caprese touch.
- Fresh mozzarella – Sliced or use mozzarella balls for an easy shortcut.
- Fresh basil – Thinly sliced into ribbons (aka chiffonade if you’re feeling fancy).
- Pecans – Toasted or raw, for added crunch and richness.
For The Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Balsamic vinegar – Adds a tangy flavor to the salad.
- Olive oil – Extra virgin gives the best flavor.
- Garlic powder – A little something to tie it together.
- Salt and pepper – To taste. Start small and adjust.
How to Make Caprese Salad with Berries
- Assemble the salad. Toss together the greens, berries, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and pecans in a big bowl.
- Make the dressing. Whisk the balsamic, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl until well combined.
- Dress and serve. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Use different berries. Blackberries and sliced grapes also work great.
- Switch the nuts. Walnuts or almonds are great if you’re out of pecans.
- Add chicken. To turn this into a light but filling main, toss in some air fryer chicken bites or leftover grilled chicken.
- Add balsamic glaze. For a thicker, sweeter finish, drizzle the salad lightly with a balsamic glaze.
What to Serve with this Salad
This salad pairs perfectly with grilled fish (hello, swordfish), lemon chicken, or even a light goat cheese pasta dish. It also holds its own as a brunch showstopper or a BBQ side.
Tools I Used
(Amazon affiliate links) – Check out my kitchen shop here.
- Large salad bowl – Something roomy so you can toss everything easily.
- Whisk – For the vinaigrette.
- Measuring spoons – To make the dressing.
- Salad tongs – Makes serving easy and mess-free.
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Berry Caprese Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 4 to 6 cups salad greens
- 2 cups mixed berries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries…
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls
- 4 fresh basil leaves, sliced into thin ribbons
- 1 cup halved pecans
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine. In a large serving bowl, combine all the salad ingredients and set aside.
- Make the dressing. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients; whisk until well incorporated.
- Toss and serve. Add the vinaigrette dressing to the salad; toss to combine and serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Where is the list of ingredients for this salad?
Hi! It’s there, now! It was hiding behind a code. :-/ So sorry about that!