Don’t let the simplicity of this salad fool you. This is crave-ably delicious! It is simple to make and comes together in under 15 minutes. It’s light and bright and full of fresh flavors. The dressing is quite simple and subtle, yet still leaves you wanting to lick the plate clean.
If you like this recipe, you may love my caprese stuffed avocados.
Why My Recipe
- It’s the kind of dish where everyone will be asking you for the recipe.
- Simple but delicious dressing that uses white balsamic vinegar so the salad stays beautiful.
Ingredient Notes
- Tomatoes: Use fresh cherry or grape tomatoes. I love using a mix of red and yellow.
- Avocado: Use ripe hass avocados.
- Mozzarella Cheese: You want to use fresh mozzarella pearls or mini balls. You can also dice up fresh mozzarella from a ball or log as well.
- Basil: Definitely use fresh basil leaves here!
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the acidity.
- White Balsamic Vinegar: Using white instead of regular balsamic vinegar keeps it from tainting the color of the mozzarella and avocado.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Definitely use a quality one for this that you feel like tastes good plain.
- Salt & Pepper: Always add to taste in the end.
Tomato Options
This recipe calls for a combination of yellow and red cherry or grape (or cherry) tomatoes. The combination of red and yellow makes for a bright and colorful salad, but you can also use all red, or all yellow. It’s also possible to make this salad by using regular garden variety tomatoes that are diced, but the juiciness may make the salad watery and the presentation will not be as beautiful.
Mini Mozzarella Balls: Where to Find Them
Most grocery stores in the United States will sell mozzarella balls in their fresh cheese section in round plastic containers or vacuum-sealed bags. They will be located next to or near the other larger balls of fresh mozzarella cheese. Fresh mozzarella is generally located in a different section than bricks of mozzarella cheese and shredded cheese. The item you are looking for may be called mini mozzarella balls, bocconcini, or mozzarella pearls.
White Balsamic Substitutes
White balsamic vinegar is used in this recipe in order to prevent the salad from getting a brown tint from traditional balsamic vinegar. You can use regular balsamic vinegar, but be warned that the color of the salad may be somewhat off-putting. Another option is to use another clear or light colored mild vinegar like white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. These are not as sweet so a bit of extra honey will help balance the flavor.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate Caprese Avocado Salad in an airtight container for 1-3 days. Be warned that the avocado will start to brown due to exposure to air, and that does not mean that they have gone bad.
What’s your favorite dish to pair with this salad?
I love just a simple grilled chicken or pork chops.
Rachel what if I can’t find white Balsamic vinegar what do you suggest to substitute. Thank you, love all your recipes. Some of them if I don’t like something (like a Protein or veggie I just substitute.) They then become another favorite.
If you aren’t worried about color, go ahead and use regular balsamic vinegar. If you want to keep the color, the closest substitute is going to be a white wine vinegar.
I made this for my hubby & I; & it was Fantastic!!!!!
This recipe makes more than what we could eat in one sitting, so next time, I will mix up the dressing in a seperate bowl, & use just enough for each salad. Also I put it over a bed of shreded lettuce 🙂
The next day my husband was asking if there was any left!!!
So we split what was left, I just added some more avocado was all.
Also I was thinking you could add some cook & cooled small salad macaroni would make it go a bit farther if you were taking it to a pot luck type of thing….Just a thought 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe. 🧡💛💚💙💜
Oh my goodness, I love everything about this! I’m so glad you and your hubby enjoyed it! Mixing the dressing separately is a great move if you’re saving some for later, and shredded lettuce sounds like a perfect way to bulk it up and give it a little crunch. And yes, adding some cooled macaroni is a fantastic idea. It’d make it even more filling and stretch the flavors further without taking away from that creamy avocado goodness. Thanks so much for sharing your twist!
I just made this for a babyshower, and it was a huge hit!
Made it. After a while the salad became mushy.
You can hold off putting the dressing on until just before serving. That way you can dress each individual serving and save the rest for the next time 🥴
Fabulous
Yum!! Looks delicious! Love all the ingredients
Looks delicious