Peach Caprese Salad with Avocado

This peach caprese salad with avocado is a delicious classic summer dish! Featuring fresh juicy peaches, creamy avocado, mozzarella and sliced basil all tossed in sweet & tangy balsamic glaze! It comes together quickly + makes a great addition to any barbecue or summer party.

I love anything involving caprese – the fresh basil, sweet balsamic glaze & creamy mozzarella are a classic trifecta that just can’t be beat. Unless you’re adding fresh peaches to the mix…then it becomes a flavor explosion unlike anything else! This peach caprese salad with avocado is sweet, tangy, creamy, salty – and everything in between!

I think it’s important to note for the “caprese purists” that you can definitely add tomatoes, if you prefer. I’ve made this salad several times for my family now and we all agreed – we just love the simplcity of the peach-avocado combo. It’s juicy and sweet while each individual flavor is complemented beautifully. (Plus no ingredient seems to be competing for attention.) Basically, it all just works.😉

This caprese salad with peaches would be perfect for any summer holiday or backyard barbecue. It’s quick to make and easily prepped beforehand plus there’s so much room for variety too. You’re family and friends are going to love it!

The Ingredients

Peaches: Choose slightly underripe peaches that are firm but ripe enough to be sweet. They hold their shape beautifully in the salad and add the perfect juicy bite without becoming mushy.

Mozzarella: Creamy fresh mozzarella pearls make this peach caprese salad incredibly easy to assemble. Their mild, milky flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet peaches and creamy avocado.

Avocado: A ripe avocado adds rich buttery flavor and a creamy texture that complements the fresh summer ingredients. I’d suggest dicing it right before serving to keep it fresh and vibrant.

Fresh basil: Essential for that classic caprese flavor! You can can tear or thinly slice the leaves to release their fragrant aroma and brighten every bite.

Olive oil: A drizzle of olive oil brings all the flavors together adds a rich silky finish.

Balsamic glaze: Sweet tangy balsamic glaze is the perfect finishing touch! It enhances the natural sweetness of the peaches while adding a delicious contrast to the creamy mozzarella and avocado.

Seasonings: A sprinkle of salt and freshly cracked pepper are all you need to make those fresh flavors shine.

How To Make A Peach Caprese Salad

1. Assemble. Add the diced peaches, avocado, mozzarella pearls and sliced basil to a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic glaze over the top and season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Toss. Toss the salad until it’s coated to your liking then taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed.

3. Serve. Serve immediately with extra balsamic glaze drizzled over each individual portion. (Alternatively, you can chill the salad for 30 minutes before serving.)

Homemade Balsamic Glaze

While any store bought balsamic glaze works for this recipe, I personally love using my homemade version. It’s only 2 ingredients and takes 10 minutes to make! Plus you can make it as sweet or as tangy as you want. (Bonus – save any leftover glaze to drizzle over roasted veggies or mix it with olive oil to use as a bread dip.)

• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup, honey or brown sugar

1. Whisk the balsamic vinegar and your sweetener of choice together in a small pot on the stove. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat

2. Once boiling, turn the burner down to medium-low (or until it becomes a soft boil/simmer) and let the balsamic mixture simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. (You’ll know it’s done when the glaze has reduced slightly and is thick enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon.)

3. Transfer the glaze to a small glass bowl and let it cool completely. (The glaze will thicken as it cools.)

4. Pour the cooled glaze into a glass jar or bottle and keep it stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

Variations

Keep this salad super simple or switch up by adding some fun ingredients for a flavorful twist – either way it’s delcious! Below are a few ideas to help get you started:

• Add tomatoes! Cherry tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes are a natural addition if you want a more traditional caprese salad.
• Add proscuitto! Thin slices of salty proscuitto pair beautifully with this summer caprese salad. (Try crisping the proscuitto in the oven or fry pan for extra texture and salty crunch – it’s soo good!)
• Add red onion! Thinly sliced red onion adds a pop of color of texture.
• More fruit! Add fresh cherries or a mix of peaches and nectarines to amp up those summery vibes!
• Switch up the glaze! Use a flavored balsamic glaze like fig, peach, blackberry or raspberry for a fun twist on this peach caprese salad.
• Mix in greens! Toss everything with arugula, baby spinach or mixed greens for a fresh and colorful salad.

I absolutely love the simplicty of this salad! Not only is it incredibly simple to put together, but it’s so easy to mix and match ingredients – turning it into something entirely new! You can make a completely different salad every single time.

Why you’ll love this peach salad recipe!

• Light & refreshing! Traditional caprese is an incredibly simple salad that’s bursting with flavor – adding fresh peaches & avocado to the mix only elevates it even more.
• A no-lettuce salad! It’s healthy, full of flavor & packed with fresh summer produce…and not a single lettuce leaf in sight – perfect for those lettuce haters!😉
• The perfect barbecue side dish! Sweet, tangy, creamy & salty – this salad pairs well with a variety of grilled meats or any other barbecue main dish!

More side salad recipes you might like:

• Peach Blueberry Feta Salad with Candied Pecans
• Peach Avocado Corn Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing
• Summer Berry Watermelon Salad
• Summer Peach Blueberry Kale Salad

[Made one of my recipes? Tag my Instagram @kalefornia_kravings & leave a review in the comments – I love seeing what you create!]