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Home » Seasonal Recipes » Summer Recipes » Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil

Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil

Jul 11, 2020 · by Valentina · 35 Comments

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Strawberry appetizers are fun and delicious. When you add lemon, basil and mozzarella to strawberries, you get a beautiful masterpiece. Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil is the essence of summer -- on a toothpick. Strawberry Caprese on toothpicks on white plates

Inspiration for Strawberry Appetizers

I can't help but buy strawberries almost daily during the summer.

They're so sweet that I usually I just rinse them off and eat them by the dozen. Sometimes though, it's fun creating recipes with them. And this strawberry appetizer is one of my favorites.

Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil is so pretty and it's even more delicious!

Lemon-Basil Strawberry Caprese Recipe on toothpicks on a white dish.It can be presented as a bite-sized hors d'oeuvre or plated as first course.

What's in Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil?

  • lemon
  • basil
  • strawberries
  • mozzarella
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt, pepper

The combination of lemon and strawberry with the aromatic basil and mild cheese is over-the-top tasty.

It's tangy, sweet and and makes for the perfect bite.

Strawberry Appetizers are Unexpected

I think we usually think of strawberries as being the star of desserts, or perhaps salads. They're unexpected served in a partially savory appetizer.

Whole, fresh strawberries on wood table.

Where to get the Best Strawberries

Though we can get them from warm places, like Mexico during the cooler months, they're never as good as they will be peak season, grown close to where you buy them.

So if you have a good Farmers Market near you, that's usually going to be the best place to find the sweetest berries that are locally sourced.

Choose Organic Strawberries When Possible

You should always try to buy organic strawberries. Strawberries are at the top of the "dirty dozen" list as the most pesticide-contaminated produce. This is one time the extra cost is worth it.

Recipe Tip

During the summer months strawberries should be very flavorful and sweet. If you make this off season, or if for some reason your summer berries aren't sweet enough for you, add about ¼ teaspoon of sugar to the lemon juice.

Strawbery Caprese with Lemon and Basil on a white plate.I hope you love this Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil as much as I do!

More delicious strawberry appetizers:

  • Strawberry Avocado Salsa
  • Grilled Strawberry Basil Kebabs
  • Minty Lime Strawberry Granita Cups
  • Strawberry Chipotle Compote Bacon Meatballs
  • Roasted Strawberry Goat Cheese Crostini

And a few straight up strawberry recipes:

  • Strawberry Rosemary Cake
  • Strawberry Frangipane Toast
  • Strawberry Swirl No-Churn Ice Cream
  • Strawberry Blueberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Lemon-Basil Strawberry Caprese with toothpicks on a narrow white plate with fresh berries in background.

Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil

Valentina K. Wein
Strawberry appetizers are fun and delicious! When you add lemon, basil and mozzarella to strawberries, you get a beautiful masterpiece. Strawberry Caprese with Lemon and Basil is the essence of summer -- on a toothpick.
5 from 10 votes
Print
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Marinating Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres
Cuisine Italian, American
Servings 4
Calories 161 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • about 2 dozen small to medium sized fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (see notes)
  • zest from 1 medium-sized lemon
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and cut into 2 dozen cubes
  • 1 dozen medium to large-sized fresh strawberries, washed and dried, stems removed
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the basil leaves, lemon zest, lemon juice, oil and salt.
  • Add the cubed mozzarella and gently toss to be sure all of the cheese is well coated. Cover with plastic wrap, place in the refrigerator, and marinate for 15 minutes.
  • While the cheese is marinating, cut the strawberries, horizontally, into ¼ to ½-inch slices. (There will be a handful of "scraps" that you should eat. Right now, while you're cooking. Delicious!)
  • Remove the marinating cheese from the refrigerator and place 1 dozen of the largest strawberry slices on a serving plate. Place one piece of cheese on top of each strawberry base, being sure to pick up bits of basil and lemon zest with each one. Add a second slice of strawberry on top, followed by another piece of cheese (again, well coated with basil and zest). Now gently stick a toothpick through each stack.
  • Crack black pepper over the entire plate and serve. (Be generous with the pepper, it adds a nice kick to the sweetness of the berries.)

NOTES

To thinly slice the basil, pile the leaves on top of each other to form a stack. Roll them up tightly, lengthwise, and then horizontally, cut this roll into thin slices. (This cut is called a chiffonade.)

NUTRITION

Calories: 161kcal
Keywords party food, summer dinner party
Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amee

    June 04, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    This is so beautiful. You alway vary your presentation so well. Beautiful combination of sweet/savory...

    Reply
    • valentina

      June 04, 2013 at 11:27 pm

      Thank you, Aimée! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Arthur in the Garden!

    June 04, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    Wow! Wonderful!

    Reply
    • valentina

      June 04, 2013 at 11:28 pm

      Arthur, thanks so much! Hope you try it!

      Reply
  3. Colette @ JFF!

    June 04, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    I like how you think out of the box.

    Reply
    • valentina

      June 04, 2013 at 11:29 pm

      Colette, I love people like you who like the "out-of-the-box" creations! XO

      Reply
  4. Deb

    June 05, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    Ruby red and bursting with sweetness there is nothing quite like fresh strawberries! Adore the idea of caprese salad with strawberry; an inspired recipe!

    Reply
  5. Lauren

    June 05, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    Would this be good with goat cheese instead of mozz??

    Reply
    • valentina

      June 05, 2013 at 7:38 pm

      Hi Lauren! Yes it would delicious -- only don't attempt to marinate the goat cheese, just drizzle the lemon-basil mixture over them when they're done. 😀

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 05, 2013 at 9:33 pm

        Yes I was thinking marinating wouldn't work
        With the goat cheese. I may try them both ways.. Some with goat cheese and some with mozzerrella!!

        Reply
        • valentina

          June 06, 2013 at 12:48 am

          Sounds good, Lauren. Enjoy! 🙂

          Reply
  6. sippitysup

    June 05, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    I can't do the math my mouth is full. GREG

    Reply
  7. David

    June 05, 2013 at 11:37 pm

    Unbelievable! Aren't you glad you thought of this combo? Truly inspired...

    Reply
  8. April

    July 24, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    5 stars
    I admit, I was skeptical! These blew me away!!! Delicious!!

    Reply
    • valentina

      July 24, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      That's awesome! So happy to hear it -- thank you.

      Reply
  9. Kim Beaulieu

    March 19, 2018 at 5:53 pm

    5 stars
    These look absolutely amazing. I'm a sucker for strawberries. I wish I lived somewhere where they were in season year round. I would do a happy dance.

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 19, 2018 at 6:13 pm

      Me too! Nothing like a peak-of-season berry! 🙂 Thanks so much.

      Reply
  10. Jacque Hastert

    March 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm

    5 stars
    What at great appetizer for any upcoming party!

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 19, 2018 at 10:04 pm

      Hope you try it!

      Reply
  11. Emily

    March 19, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    5 stars
    What an elegant salad, so perfect for Summer!

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 19, 2018 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you, Emily. Hope you try it!

      Reply
  12. Brian Jones

    March 19, 2018 at 11:34 pm

    5 stars
    Strawberry and basil are such a great combination, these sound wonderful!

    Reply
    • valentina

      March 20, 2018 at 7:48 am

      Thanks, Brian! Enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Henry

    June 22, 2018 at 1:30 pm

    Does it make it taste better if the cheese is marinated for say 1-2 hours?

    Reply
    • valentina

      June 22, 2018 at 2:04 pm

      Hi Henry, the flavors will likely be a bit stronger if you marinate for a longer period of time. It won't make a huge difference, but rather a subtle one. If you try it, please let me know how it goes. And enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Gerlinde

    July 11, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, I just came across this recipe. What a great idea to pair strawberries and mozzarella. I think I get some strawberries and try it tomorrow.

    Reply
    • valentina

      July 11, 2020 at 9:55 pm

      Thank you so much, Gerlinde! I'm excited you're trying it. Hope you love it as much as me. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  15. Frank Fariello

    July 12, 2020 at 5:00 am

    What fun! And very pretty, too. 🙂

    Reply
  16. 2pots2cook

    July 12, 2020 at 6:14 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely intrigued ! Must must do !

    Reply
    • valentina

      July 12, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      I hope you love it, Davorka! Thank you. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  17. valentina

    July 12, 2020 at 6:11 pm

    Thanks so much, Frank! 🙂 ~Valentina

    Reply
  18. Christina Conte

    July 12, 2020 at 9:55 pm

    5 stars
    Just gorgeous, Valentina! These just scream summertime! Great table centerpiece especially when entertaining!

    Reply
    • valentina

      July 15, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      Thank you, Christina! Hope you love them. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
  19. David @ Spiced

    July 13, 2020 at 4:46 am

    5 stars
    Summer on a toothpick? You've got my attention! This sounds like a really fun summer recipe, and we've had a ton of fresh strawberries around recently. In fact, I think we have all of the ingredients to make these caprese skewers. Now I just need to open a bottle of wine, and we'll be all set!

    Reply
    • valentina

      July 15, 2020 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks, David. Yes, the summer strawberries are amazing! Enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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