Summer Berry Salad with Balsamic & Basil

Name: Summer Berry Salad with Balsamic
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1.3 kilograms mixed berries* ((approximately 8½ cups; 2.9 ounces)); 2 stems basil, large; 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze

Try our refreshing Summer Berry Salad and swap out that heavy, calorie-laden dessert for a guilt-free option that's not only quick and easy to make, but also bursting with incredible flavours. With just a handful of ingredients, this delightful salad will be the perfect way to end your meal.

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A close up of Summer berry salad on a white plate with basil sprigs and berries on the side.

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the bounty of fresh, juicy berries. Not only are they delicious, but they're packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre. What better way to savour these delightful fruits than in a fresh fruit salad?

This berry fruit salad recipe is a mix of brightly coloured berries that we perfumed with aromatic basil and then drizzled with a sticky balsamic glaze. Perfect for cooling down on those hot summer days.

Looking for more summer fruit salad ideas? Then why not try our cooling Watermelon Cerry Salad or for tropical flavours try our Mango Fruit Salad with Coconut?

Everything You Need to Know to Make the Best Berry Salad!

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🍓🫐 What Berries Can I Use?

You can use any combination of fresh mixed berries you like in this salad and there are just so many to choose from – juicy strawberries, antioxidant-rich blueberries, sweet raspberries, or even luscious blackberries.

For this salad, I used a combination of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. It is entirely up to you what mix of berries you would like to use for this salad they are all just incredible together.

Just keep in mind that blackberries and raspberries do not have a long shelf life, so you will want to use them within a day or two of purchasing.

Also, remember to look carefully in the packs to make sure that there aren’t any bad berries in there which will quickly spread to the other berries in the pack.

You Will Need

Labelled ingredients needed to make a summer berry salad.

📝 Variations to Try

A great thing about this fresh berry salad is that it is easily adaptable with whatever ingredients you have on hand.

Swap Herbs: You could try some basil for its wonderful aroma and sweet overtones or try some fresh-smelling mint leaves or some liquorice like tarragon.
For something a bit different try coriander (cilantro) with its mild citrus flavour and replace the balsamic vinegar glaze with honey-lime dressing instead for another take on this berry salad.
Swap the Dressing: Try it with a honey lime dressing (3 tablespoons of lime juice, a teaspoon of lime zest and a teaspoon or two of honey or pure maple syrup) or with a tangy lemon and vanilla bean dressing (3 tablespoons of lemon juice, a teaspoon of vanilla bean paste or the scraped seeds from one vanilla bean pod, a teaspoon or two of brown sugar). How much sweetener you use will depend on how sweet or tart your berries are.
To make just add the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together to combine; alternatively, you can just add them to a clean glass jar and shake them up. Then pour the dressing over your berries and basil ribbons and gently mix well to combine.
Add More Fresh Fruit: You can also add some cherries, watermelon or peaches for some variety.
Play with Texture: To add some crunch and texture, consider topping your salad with toasted nuts such as sliced almonds or crushed walnuts. They'll provide a nice contrast to the soft berries and basil.

💡Top Tips

Balance the Sweetness: Depending on the sweetness of your berries, you might want to add a touch of sweetness to your salad. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey can help enhance the natural sweetness of the fruits.

Choose Organic Berries: Organic farmers steer clear of toxic pesticides, fungicides, and synthetic fertilisers which results in produce that can have more antioxidants and flavonoids and therefore are better for you.

🥣 How to Make this Summer Salad (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 - Start with Clean Berries

First, place your strawberries in a colander and rinse well under gently running cold water, so as not to damage them. Strawberries absorb water easily, so it is best to wash and then hull them. Leave them in your colander to drain.

Place all the remaining berries in a separate colander and rinse well under gently running cold water. Again, leave them in your colander to drain.

washing the strawberries for berry salad — WASH STRAWBERRIES

washing the other berries for berry salad — WASH STRAWBERRIES

Step 2 - Chiffonade Basil

While your berries are draining, rinse your basil under cold running water, pat dry with a towel and then cut chiffonade style.

Chiffonade is a slicing technique where leafy green vegetables and herbs are cut into long, thin strips. To do this stack the leaves on top of each other, gently roll them into a cigar shape, and then use a sharp knife to slice them into thin ribbons.

STEP 1: STACK YOUR LEAVES for the berry salad — STEP 1: STACK YOUR LEAVES

STEP 2: ROLL THEM for your berry salad — STEP 1: STACK YOUR LEAVES

Step 3 - Assemble Your Summer Berry Salad

Using some paper towel, gently pat dry your strawberries then hull them, remove any damaged parts and cut them in half. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Gently pat the rest of your berries dry and discard any damaged ones then add them to your large bowl.

Add the balsamic glaze and the basil ribbons to your bowl and toss gently, being very careful not to damage the berries, and make sure the berries, basil and balsamic glaze are mixed well together.

Arrange in a salad bowl and keep refrigerated until you are ready to serve.

Prepared ingredients for summer berry salad in a white bowl. — ADD INGREDIENTS TO BOWL

Mixing a summer berry salad in a white bowl with a spoon. — ADD INGREDIENTS TO BOWL

Summer berry salad on a white plate with basil sprigs and berries on the side.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

You can serve this berry salad with a simple Madagascar vanilla ice cream as a refreshing dessert, but it also pairs well with whipped ricotta, fresh cream or mascarpone.

This salad even makes a fantastic topping for a cheesecake or panacotta.

Just superb for breakfast with coconut yoghurt or Greek yogurt with some nuts or seeds on top.

🤔 Tips and Questions (FAQs)

Did You Know?

That strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are not true berries but are considered aggregate fruits?

What are aggregate fruits you ask? Well, they are pretty unique because they're actually made up of a bunch of tiny fruits called drupelets.

So, they're like mini fruits that come together to create one tasty treat, just like the raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries starring in this mixed berry salad.

How Do I Keep My Fruit Salad Fresh?

This berry fruit salad is best served fresh on the day it is made, but it will keep for a day or two if you store it covered in an air-tight container in the fridge. Great for breakfast the next day with some Greek yoghurt and granola.

Can I Make This Summer Berry Salad Ahead?

It can be made up to four hours in advance just keep it covered in the fridge until right before serving.

You can also prepare the berries 12 hours in advance if you like, just wash them under gently cold running water, and dry them thoroughly with paper towels. It is important that the berries are as dry as possible otherwise they will spoil.

What Can I Do With the Leftovers?

You can easily make a nice fresh berry compote with the leftovers, just place 1 cup of the berries and 1-2 teaspoons of sugar in a small saucepan and simmer gently on medium until the sugar dissolves and the fruit collapses (approximately 10 minutes).

Another great way to use up any leftover berry salad would be in a summer berry pudding!

Dietary Information

This easy and healthy fruit salad contains 123 calories per serve and has a total net carb count of 26 grams.

It's vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, and whole30 if you choose your balsamic glaze carefully; so it's best to always check the label to make sure.

Some Other Berry Salads to Try:

1200X667 KOHLRABI & RASPBERRY SALAD — STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH LIME

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