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• My Avocado Caprese Salad Passes The Summer Salad Test
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Avocado Caprese Salad
• My Tips For Dressing & Serving
• Avocado Caprese Salad Recipe card
• Protein Pairings
• Recipe Reviews

My Avocado Caprese Salad Passes The Summer Salad Test

Summer salads require two things in my book: Fresh seasonal flavors and minimal (like, really minimal) effort! And this avocado Caprese salad passes both tests with flying colors. Literally, such pretty colors. I took everything I love about a classic Caprese salad and made a few key changes that led me to crave it even more:

• It’s chopped – Unlike the regular layered slices, my avocado Caprese salad has all the components in small pieces instead, and I serve it in a bowl. I love that I can eat it with just a fork and no knife!
• It’s got avocados – Many of you know I add them to anything and everything, and they taste exceptional with the creamy mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, and herby basil.
• Only 7 ingredients – While it’s a tad more than the classic version, not by much! These are simple, fresh staples you probably already have, and no need to turn on the stove or oven.

I’ve served this avocado Caprese salad at cookouts, weeknight dinners , and even for lunch . If you’re an avocado fan, make it with me!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my avocado Caprese salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Avocado – Make sure it’s ripe! It should give slightly when you press it.
• Tomatoes – I wrote grape tomatoes on the recipe card, but really, I make this avocado Caprese salad equally often with cherry tomatoes. Feel free to chop larger tomatoes if that’s what you’ve got.
• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese – I usually get the kind labeled ciliegine or bocconcini, in a container with liquid. I like both of these because they’re similar in size to the tomatoes, and convenient to scoop with a fork. (They’re also perfect for Caprese skewers if you have extras.) I don’t recommend the ones labeled “pearls” in a vacuum pack — they’re less delicate, lack a nice round shape, and are much smaller than the tomatoes in this recipe. That being said, you can also chop a larger ball of fresh mozzarella.
• Fresh Basil – The must-have herb for classic Caprese flavor.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – The base of the dressing.
• Balsamic Vinegar – I recommend a good-quality balsamic , since the flavor gets more concentrated as it cooks down into a balsamic glaze .
• Spices – I kept the dressing simple with garlic powder , sea salt, and black pepper. Feel free to add a pinch of Italian seasoning or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor.

“I loved this salad — made it for lunch today and waited to add the avocado until I was ready to eat. PERFECT! Will be making more often.” –Heidy

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How To Make Avocado Caprese Salad

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Make the balsamic glaze. Add the balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan and simmer until it thickens.
2. Whisk the dressing. Mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Toss and drizzle. Combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, avocado, and basil. Gently toss the avocado Caprese salad with the olive oil dressing, then drizzle with balsamic glaze. I usually save some extra fresh basil leaves for garnish!

My Tips For Dressing & Serving

• The balsamic reduction will keep thickening after you take it off the heat. For this reason, I stop cooking it when it’s a little thinner than I need. Once it lightly coats the back of a spoon, it’s good to go!
• If your balsamic reduction gets too thick, you can fix it. Just reheat it with a splash of water or a little more balsamic vinegar.
• Let the glaze cool to room temperature before drizzling. If it’s still hot, I find it wilts the basil and makes the salad soggy faster.
• For a fun presentation, serve this avocado Caprese salad inside avocado halves. If you’ve made and enjoyed my BLT stuffed avocado , this is like the Caprese version of that!
• Add protein to make it a meal. Sometimes I fold in a diced grilled chicken breast or hard boiled egg for lunch! If you want greens in there too, try my chicken Caprese salad .

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 cup Balsamic vinegar ▢
• 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil ▢
• 1/4 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/8 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 2 cups Grape tomatoes (halved; measured after slicing) ▢
• 1 cup Fresh mozzarella balls ▢
• 1 medium Avocado (diced) ▢
• 1/3 cup Fresh basil (chopped) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Pour the balsamic vinegar into a very small saucepan . Heat over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes , keeping it at a low simmer but not boiling. Simmer until slightly thickened but still pourable, and volume has reduced to about 1/3 cup. (This is balsamic reduction – it will thicken as it cools, so don’t let it thicken too much when hot.)
2. When the balsamic reduction is ready, let it cool to room temperature.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
4. Add the tomatoes, mozzarella, avocado, and fresh basil. Toss to coat. Drizzle the entire salad with 1 tablespoon balsamic reduction. (You can save the rest for another use.)

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture in this avocado Caprese salad, plus a couple of my favorite serving ideas.
• Storage & meal prep: This salad is delicate and best fresh, especially the avocado. However, you can chop and measure everything else in advance, and keep separately in the fridge until ready to mix and enjoy. Once dressed, it might keep for 24 hours at most.
• Note on nutrition info: I included 1 tablespoon of balsamic reduction, which is all you’ll need for the salad. I make a larger batch since it’s tough to reduce such a small amount of vinegar, but the extra stores well in the fridge for future recipes.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Avocado Caprese Salad

Protein Pairings

This is the perfect summer side dish with your favorite protein! I love it with:

• Steak – You can’t go wrong with sirloin tip steak or just about any grilled steak . When we’re in the mood for something fancier, my whole family loves grilled filet mignon .
• Burgers – I’ve been obsessed with this smash burger recipe lately. This avocado Caprese salad also pairs perfectly with Chipotle turkey burgers , classic beef burgers , or even chicken burgers .
• Chicken – My top picks with this are balsamic chicken or chicken leg quarters . If you have extra tomatoes, try my bruschetta chicken or Caprese chicken for more of those summery vibes.
• Seafood – Keep it light and bright with my poached salmon or garlic butter shrimp .

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Avocado Caprese Salad

My easy avocado Caprese salad is the side of summer, with sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella & avocado, peppery basil, and balsamic drizzle.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/chopped-avocado-caprese-salad-recipe/

Ingredients

• 1 cup Balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt
• 1/8 tsp Black pepper
• 2 cups Grape tomatoes (halved; measured after slicing)
• 1 cup Fresh mozzarella balls
• 1 medium Avocado (diced)
• 1/3 cup Fresh basil (chopped)

Instructions

1. Pour the balsamic vinegar into a very small saucepan . Heat over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes , keeping it at a low simmer but not boiling. Simmer until slightly thickened but still pourable, and volume has reduced to about 1/3 cup. (This is balsamic reduction - it will thicken as it cools, so don’t let it thicken too much when hot.)
2. When the balsamic reduction is ready, let it cool to room temperature.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
4. Add the tomatoes, mozzarella, avocado, and fresh basil. Toss to coat. Drizzle the entire salad with 1 tablespoon balsamic reduction. (You can save the rest for another use.)

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best texture in this avocado Caprese salad, plus a couple of my favorite serving ideas.
• Storage & meal prep: This salad is delicate and best fresh, especially the avocado. However, you can chop and measure everything else in advance, and keep separately in the fridge until ready to mix and enjoy. Once dressed, it might keep for 24 hours at most.
• Note on nutrition info: I included 1 tablespoon of balsamic reduction, which is all you’ll need for the salad. I make a larger batch since it’s tough to reduce such a small amount of vinegar, but the extra stores well in the fridge for future recipes.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)