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This avocado caprese salad highlights the best of summer. It’s loaded with fresh off the vine tomatoes, avocado, and fragrant basil. It’s then topped in a simple basil vinaigrette. Vegan & gluten-free.
While driving back from Omaha, we stopped on our way through Des Moines for an early dinner at P.F. Chang’s.
We don’t visit a lot of chain restaurants, because they tend to have lackluster vegan options. However, P.F. Chang’s is a restaurant that I wish we had in our town.
We used to visit it pretty regularly when we lived in Burbank for a quick, inexpensive meal.
P.F. Chang’s can also be a handy choice when dining with a variety of eaters, especially with people who are hesitant to dine at an exclusively vegan restaurant.
The previous time that I’d visited, they had a terrific kale salad on special. I was hoping they’d have it again, but it was no longer offered.
However, in its place on the specials menu was an heirloom tomato salad.
The salad (shown in the mustard-colored bowl) was made with fresh tomatoes, avocado, Thai basil, and a ponzu dressing. I asked my server to verify with the chef that the salad was vegan.
While we waited for the answer, David did a quick search on his phone to find out more about ponzu sauce and saw that it’s a citrus seasoned soy sauce. The server came back and said that the dish was vegan.
(In preparation for writing this post, I did a bit more searching and saw that some bottled ponzu sauces, like the Kikkoman brand, have fish extract in them. However, I called P.F. Chang’s headquarters. They confirmed that the dish was vegetarian and fish-free.)
The ponzu dressing had a pesto flavor because of the fresh basil. The salad reminded me of a caprese salad but with avocado instead of mozzarella.
Avocado caprese salad (Vegan)
That got my wheels turning.
With tomatoes being extraordinarily delicious and flavorful right now, I couldn’t wait to recreate the salad when I got home.
There’s not much better than a ripe, summer tomato. Winter tomatoes can be mealy and a little bland. But summer tomatoes? Juicy, sweet, and inviting.
Like I said, caprese is typically made with mozzarella. And you could use Miyoko’s cashew-based mozzarella. Either the regular version or the smoked one would be delicious here.
(Read more about my preferred vegan cheeses in this post, The Best Vegan Cheese For Your Every Need.)
However, I used avocado instead. Full of buttery, fatty goodness, it makes this simple salad irresistible.
This isn’t the kind of salad that makes you poke around, looking for a good bite. Every single bite is exactly the one you want.
Basil vinaigrette
Instead of making a ponzu sauce like the PF Chang’s salad, I opted for a balsamic vinaigrette with fresh basil.
I simply put extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped garlic, and basil into a blender. I blended until it was smooth and full bodied.
Be warned that the greenish brown color of the dressing is not the prettiest shade you’ve ever seen in your life. But the taste is oh, so good.
Put out the serving bowl. Let guests top their own individual salads with dressing.
It is such a satisfying summer meal, like eating a bowlful of tomato bruschetta.
If you’ve been looking for more ways to enjoy your fresh-off-the-vine summer tomatoes, look no further than this avocado caprese salad. Serve with a loaf of crusty bread, and dig in.
Avocado caprese salad with basil vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 small clove garlic chopped
- 2 Tablespoons chopped basil + a few leaves extra for garnish
- 2 medium to large tomatoes cut into wedges
- 1 avocado cubed
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- To make the dressing: in a blender, blend extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and 2 Tablespoons chopped basil until completely combined.
- In a bowl, toss tomatoes and avocado. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing. Top with a pinch of salt and garnish with a few leaves of basil (chopped or whole).
thepeacepatch says
Fabulicious idea…the balance of flavors is genius! My mom will love this…of course she’ll add capers (she adds them to *every* salad), then it’s mangia mangia! 🙂
Cadry says
Nice! I bet that capers, artichoke hearts, or olives would all be tasty additions!
Nicollette D says
I have all the ingredients in my kitchen now. It’s like you read my mind. 🙂 now I know what’s for dinner!
Cadry says
Excellent! I hope you enjoy it!
Shannon Y-I-V says
I love this twist on caprese! Avocado is a great stand-in for mozzarella and I’m sure the basil-infused vinaigrette makes everything sing. I agree this is a great way to enjoy summer tomatoes 🙂
Cadry says
It seems like avocado improves almost anything that it touches!
Caitlin says
such a simple and fresh salad. it looks so lovely and delicious!
Cadry says
Thanks, Caitlin!
Shell says
Looks delicious!!! It makes me want to hold on to summer a little longer!
Cadry says
I know! Luckily, the summer tomatoes are still going for a bit longer. I will miss them when they’re gone!
An Unrefined Vegan says
You do your research, girl! Although I’m sure PF Chang’s salad was great, yours looks so fresh and colorful. Perfect for summer.
Cadry says
Thanks, Annie!
Richa says
that has summer written all over it!
Cadry says
The smell of basil always feels like summer to me, that’s for sure!
Kris says
Yum. I just made a fresh corn salad with raw zucchini, red peppers, red and candy onions, and fresh basil . Just cracked black pepper and and sea salt. Refrigerate until the flavors blend and magic….Simple delicious flavors of summer!
Cadry says
Oh, your salad sounds great, Kris!
gigiveganville says
Your basil is wafting through my kitchen right now. Can I get a high five for all that beautiful produce?!
Cadry says
Absolutely! Isn’t summer the best?
zsudever says
I see what you mean! When I saw your post about this a few days ago it reminded me of this very same salad we enjoyed a few weeks back at PF’s. (I didn’t get to read it until now) Hilarious! We both had the place on our minds – mine was steered toward the eggplant, but let me tell you, lingering in the back was that yummy salad! Thanks for sharing your version – it looks sooo delicious!
Zsu @ Zsu’s Vegan Pantry
Cadry says
Thanks, Zsu!
Becky says
Love it! Replacing the mozz with avocado was such a simple, brilliant idea!
Cadry says
Avocado makes everything better! It’s like the miracle fruit.
Chitra Jagadish says
dressing sounds delicious and love the twist on caprese ….what a refreshing salad…
Cadry says
Thanks, Chitra!
Becky Striepe says
This looks so amazing! Those tomatoes are perfection.
Cadry says
Thanks, Becky! The tomatoes are ridiculous right now. So good.