
Grape Caprese Salad with Avocado & Honey Balsamic Reduction
Guess what, the sun is popping out and I think It might stay and hang out for a while today, yay! I was beginning to forget what it looked like.
So what do think of when you hear the word salad, because it seems to be a very broad term with many different interpretations. In some places if you order a salad at a restaurant you are going to be disappointed with a large bowl of lettuce and a few dots of something to garnish. I thinks it’s just that some consider salads only a side dish type of thing.
To others when salad comes to mind it might be a steakhouse-style salad that’s basically a pile heavy toppings and croutons smothered in ranch. Would you like some lettuce with your dressing?
My view of a perfect salad is somewhere in between the two. I think every salad needs to have plenty of flavors and some kind of awesome dressing to finish it off, either creamy or sweet. It also should be light enough to be a side dish on it’s own, or loaded enough that you could add some protein and make it a meal. Of course, that applies only to lettuce based salads, I’m not talking about pasta, bean, or fruit salad. Those are all completely different categories.
One of my favorite flavors of summer is fresh basil and I happened to get a bunch of it the other day. Since it pairs so well with tomatoes and avocado it seemed only fitting to make a caprese salad and my favorite way to top that is with a balsamic reduction that is super easy. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Grape Caprese Salad with Avocado & Sweet Balsamic Reduction
Sometimes the simplest things are the best and that's exactly the case with this minimal ingredient salad.
Ingredients
Balsamic Reduction:
- 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
Salad
- 3 cups loosely packed red leaf lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 1 cup red grapes sliced in half
- 1 medium avocado sliced
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 block firm tofu drained and dried of excess liquid
- 1 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cut the tofu into small cubes and throw into a bowl and add apple cider vinegar and a sprinkle of salt. Toss to coat. Place in the fridge to marinate for 15-30 minutes
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For the reduction, combine sugar and balsamic in a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened, then remove from heat and cool.
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Combine ingredients for salad in a large bowl and toss together gently. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Top salad immediately before serving or serve per individual.


15 Comments
Ron Honda
Thanks for the salad idea Tori. Keep them coming. I’m suppose to be on a low protein, fruit and veggie diet for health reasons. So, I’ll definitely give this salad a try.
Tori
Thanks, Ron! I really hope you like this recipe. Thanks for reading my blog, it means a lot!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
This is just gorgeous! The grape and avo are perfect additions to caprese 🙂
Tori
Aren’t they! You’ve got to try it. Thanks Medha!
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks
Love this fresh twist on a caprese salad!
Tori
Thanks, Dani!
Katherines Corner
fresh and light perfect for a hot day. Displayed and photographed beautifully! I invite you to share at my blog hop ( open now until Sat. midnight MST) hugs!
Tori
Thanks, Katherine!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Wow, Tori! This grape caprese salad is absolutely GORGE! Salads are totally “my thing”, but I decadent deliciousness is also “my thing”.. lol. I don’t food discriminate! When I think of a salad, I think of the same thing as you – must have lots of flavor, some substance, AND a killer dressing is preferred. You TOTALLY nailed it with this one! I am in love with all of your additions to the traditional caprese! The creamy avocado and that honey balsamic redux? YESSSSSS! I could eat this ALL day long! Pinned! <3 Cheers, girl!
Tori
Thank you so much!
Thalia @ butter and brioche
Hands down the best caprese I’ve seen in a while. That balsamic reduction is so unique!
Tori
Thanks, Thalia!
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