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If you’re craving a fresh, vibrant, and utterly satisfying dish that’s as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat, then I have just the thing for you. This Easy Avocado Caprese Salad Platter Recipe brings together creamy avocados, juicy cherry tomatoes, and pillowy mozzarella with fragrant basil and tangy balsamic reduction in a simple, elegant way. It’s a celebration of wholesome ingredients with minimal effort, making it perfect for any occasion where you want to impress without the stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a handful of fresh, colorful ingredients that each play a crucial role in delivering that classic Caprese flavor with a creamy avocado twist. These components are simple yet essential, combining to create a dish bursting with contrasting textures and vibrant tastes.
- Ripe Avocados: Their creamy texture balances the acidity of the tomatoes perfectly; slice or dice according to your preference.
- Fresh Mozzarella: Soft, fresh mozzarella balls or slices add a mild, milky richness that melts in your mouth.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy and sweet, halved cherry tomatoes bring a beautiful burst of color and freshness.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: This fragrant herb adds a peppery, aromatic note that brightens the entire platter.
- Balsamic Reduction: The tangy sweetness of balsamic reduction is the perfect dressing, providing a glossy finish.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: High-quality olive oil enhances flavors with a fruity richness and silky texture.
- Salt: A pinch of salt helps to elevate all the flavors, balancing sweetness and acidity.
- Freshly Cracked Pepper: Adds a subtle kick and depth of flavor to finish the dish.
How to Make Easy Avocado Caprese Salad Platter Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Fresh Ingredients
Start by gathering all your ingredients so you have everything at your fingertips. Wash the cherry tomatoes thoroughly, then pat them dry to avoid excess moisture on your platter. Slice each cherry tomato in half; this allows their juicy sweetness to shine without overwhelming the salad.
Step 2: Slice and Prepare the Avocados
Carefully cut the ripe avocados in half, removing the pits while keeping the flesh intact. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh and slice it into wedges or cubes. To keep your avocado looking fresh and vibrant, drizzle a little lemon juice over the slices — it also adds a subtle layer of brightness.
Step 3: Get the Mozzarella Ready
If you’re using mozzarella balls like bocconcini, drain them well and gently pat dry to prevent any watery spots on your salad. For a larger mozzarella ball, go ahead and slice it into thick rounds to ensure every bite offers a delicious, creamy texture.
Step 4: Assemble the Platter Beautifully
On your serving platter, arrange the avocado slices first — their creamy green hue makes a stunning base. Next, layer the halved cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella alternately to create a colorful mosaic. This layering not only looks fabulous but also ensures every forkful contains a mix of the key ingredients.
Step 5: Add Fresh Basil and Drizzle Dressings
Tear the fresh basil leaves gently with your hands to release their aroma and scatter them generously across the platter. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil evenly over the salad followed by the balsamic reduction, creating a glossy, tangy finish. Finally, sprinkle with salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste, balancing the flavors perfectly.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy Immediately
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, so serve it right after assembling. That said, if you want to let the flavors meld for a few minutes, that’s fine too — just keep it covered and chilled until ready to serve.
How to Serve Easy Avocado Caprese Salad Platter Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, consider adding a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or a few thin slices of red onion for sharpness. A dusting of freshly grated black pepper or a pinch of flaky sea salt can elevate the flavors even more, making the simple ingredients pop.
Side Dishes
This Easy Avocado Caprese Salad Platter Recipe shines alongside crusty artisan bread or warm garlic crostini—ideal for scooping up the creamy cheese and avocado. It also pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or seafood, making it a versatile complement to many meals.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Serve this salad on a rustic wooden board or a large white platter for contrast. You can also turn it into individual servings in pretty glass jars or elegant bowls for events, making it easy to enjoy and visually delightful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. To keep the avocados from browning, cover the salad tightly with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface or add a little extra lemon juice before sealing.
Freezing
Since this dish relies on fresh avocado and mozzarella, freezing is not recommended. Both ingredients lose their appealing texture when frozen and thawed, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Reheating
This salad is designed to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is unnecessary. If your avocado begins to brown or the tomatoes release too much liquid after storage, it’s best to prepare the salad fresh for peak flavor and presentation.
FAQs
Can I substitute the balsamic reduction with regular balsamic vinegar?
Absolutely! While a balsamic reduction adds a thicker, sweeter glaze, regular balsamic vinegar can also be used. Just drizzle a bit less so it doesn’t overpower the light freshness of the salad.
What type of avocado works best for this recipe?
Choose ripe but firm avocados for this salad. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure but not be mushy, ensuring creamy texture without turning to mush on the platter.
Can I prepare this salad in advance for a party?
You can prep most of the ingredients in advance, like slicing tomatoes and mozzarella, but it’s best to assemble the salad shortly before serving to keep the avocado vibrant and fresh.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
The classic Easy Avocado Caprese Salad Platter Recipe includes mozzarella, which is not vegan. However, you can use a plant-based mozzarella alternative for a vegan-friendly version without sacrificing much flavor.
Could I add protein to make this a more substantial meal?
Yes! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even a handful of toasted nuts can boost the protein content and turn this beautiful salad into a filling, nutritious meal perfect for lunch or light dinner.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Avocado Caprese Salad Platter Recipe is a delightful way to celebrate fresh ingredients with minimal fuss. It’s a wonderful dish to prepare when you want something quick but impressive, bursting with flavor and color. I highly encourage you to try it for your next gathering or casual meal—you’re going to fall in love with how effortlessly tasty and stunning it is.
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Easy Avocado Caprese Salad Platter Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Avocado Caprese Salad Platter is a fresh, vibrant twist on the classic Italian Caprese salad. Combining creamy ripe avocados, juicy cherry tomatoes, and soft fresh mozzarella, all layered beautifully with aromatic basil and drizzled with a tangy balsamic reduction and extra virgin olive oil. Perfect as a light appetizer or side dish, this no-cook salad comes together quickly with minimal prep, making it ideal for warm-weather meals or effortless entertaining.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 pieces Ripe Avocados (sliced or diced)
- 8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella (Bocconcini or sliced)
- 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- 0.5 cup Fresh Basil Leaves (torn or left whole)
Dressing & Seasoning
- 0.25 cup Balsamic Reduction
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (high-quality)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
- Freshly Cracked Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients. Wash the cherry tomatoes thoroughly and pat them dry to remove excess moisture. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and set them aside.
- Slice Avocados: Cut the avocados in half lengthwise, remove the pits carefully, and scoop out the flesh using a spoon. Slice the avocado flesh into wedges or cubes depending on your preference, then optionally drizzle lightly with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Prepare Mozzarella: If using mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drain the liquid and pat them dry to avoid excess moisture on the salad. If using a larger mozzarella ball, slice it into thick rounds to match the other ingredients’ size.
- Assemble Salad: On a large serving platter, arrange the avocado slices first, then layer the halved cherry tomatoes, followed by the mozzarella slices or balls to create a colorful vibrant base.
- Add Basil and Dress: Tear the fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces or leave them whole and scatter evenly over the assembled salad. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction evenly across the platter. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper according to taste.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh textures and flavors, or let it sit for a few minutes to allow the dressing to meld with the ingredients.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm avocados to maintain shape and texture in the salad.
- Drizzling lemon juice on avocado helps prevent discoloration if not served immediately.
- Fresh basil can be torn or left whole depending on your presentation preference.
- Balsamic reduction adds sweetness and depth; you can substitute with high-quality balsamic vinegar if unavailable, though it will be less thick.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of honey with balsamic reduction.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh as avocados tend to oxidize and soften over time.
