Creamy Caprese Avocado Salad🥗 Side

Name: Creamy Caprese Avocado Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 pint red cherry or grape tomatoes, halved; 1 pint yellow cherry or grape tomatoes, halved; 2 large avocados, pitted, peeled, and diced; 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese pearls; 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped; 3 tbsp honey; 3 tbsp white balsamic vinegar; 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

This delightful dish brings together classic Italian ingredients with a smooth, buttery twist, creating a simple yet satisfying meal that's both fresh and effortless to prepare.

By Jason Miller, Weeknight Cook & Household Coordinator

Prep: 15 minServes: 8

salad vegetarian quick no-cook caprese american

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The beauty of this salad lies in its perfect balance of textures and temperatures—cool, creamy avocado nestles against juicy tomatoes and soft mozzarella pearls, all brought together by a lightly sweet dressing that's far more interesting than your standard balsamic drizzle. The addition of avocado transforms the traditional Caprese combination into something more substantial, making this ideal for a light lunch or an impressive side dish at summer gatherings. Using both red and yellow tomatoes isn't just about visual appeal; the subtle flavor differences between varieties add complexity to every bite.

Timing is everything when preparing this dish. Since avocado begins to oxidize quickly once cut, you'll want to dice it just before assembling and serve within an hour of tossing. The honey-warming step is crucial—cold honey won't emulsify properly with the vinegar and oil, leaving you with a separated dressing instead of a silky coating. When tossing everything together, use a light hand to avoid bruising the tomatoes and mashing the avocado; a rubber spatula works better than a spoon for this gentle mixing.

For a heartier meal, serve this over a bed of arugula or mixed greens, and consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp. You can also experiment with different mozzarella sizes—bocconcini (larger balls) work beautifully if you tear them into chunks. A final drizzle of aged balsamic reduction just before serving adds an elegant restaurant-quality finish.

Ingredients

1 pint red cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 pint yellow cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 large avocados, pitted, peeled, and diced
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese pearls
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
3 tbsp honey
3 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Nutrition (Per 8 servings)*

247

Calories

Protein

16g

Carbs

19g

Fat

Fiber

118mg

Sodium

* AI-estimated values only — not a substitute for professional nutrition labeling.

Instructions

In a large bowl, gently toss together the red cherry tomatoes, yellow cherry tomatoes, diced avocados, fresh mozzarella cheese pearls, and chopped fresh basil.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat the honey for 15-20 seconds, just until slightly thinned.
Whisk the white balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil into the warm honey until fully combined.
Pour dressing over the tomato mixture. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Gently toss until evenly coated. Serve immediately.