These Balsamic Strawberries are an easy and delicious appetizer, side or snack that comes together with a handful of ingredients. Serve with your favorite gluten-free crackers, crusty bread or crostini.
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Balsamic Strawberries
Recipe Ingredients
Balsamic Strawberries:
- Fresh strawberries: Washed, stems removed
- Balsamic vinegar: Use a high-quality brand for the best flavor.
- Maple syrup: Or preferred sticky liquid sweetener of choice.
- Fine sea salt: To taste.
- Freshly cracked black pepper: To taste plus more for garnish.
For the Creamy Whipped Feta Dip:
- Vegan feta cheese: We like Violife. Regular feta works too if not dairy-free.
- Dairy-free greek-style yogurt: We like Kite Hill. Regular plain greek yogurt works too.
- Fresh lemon juice: To brighten up the creamy feta dip.
For Garnish:
- Freshly chopped basil: For flavor and garnish.
- Freshly finely chopped mint: Adds freshness and for garnish.
- Candied or toasted pecans: Roughly chopped for some crunch.
How to make Whipped Feta with Balsamic Strawberries
- Cut the strawberries: Slice small berries into halves and medium berries into quarters.
- Make the Balsamic Reduction and Cook the Strawberries: In a medium saucepan combine maple syrup and balsamic vinegar and whisk over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until reduced. Stir in the strawberries and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Blend the Feta: Meanwhile, make the whipped feta by adding the feta cheese, yogurt, salt, black pepper and lemon juice to a food processor.
- Blend the Feta: Blend for 2-3 minutes or until smooth, while scraping down the sides periodically with a spatula as needed. Transfer the dip to a shallow plate or a bowl and chill in the fridge for about 10-20 minutes to firm up slightly or until ready to serve.
- Top with Balsamic Strawberries: Once ready, top with strawberries and garnish with freshly chopped basil, mint and pecans plus a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve with an assortment of toasted baguette slices and crostini or crackers on the platter. Spread some whipped feta on the toasted baguette and top with some of the strawberry mixture.
Tips for Success
We have a few little tips and suggestions that will help you make the perfect whipped feta. Here they are!
- Season Your Feta: Want to add extra flavor to your feta cheese? Feel free to throw in some grated vegan parmesan and a touch of nutmeg or black pepper before you whip it.
- Chill the Feta: It’s a good idea to give the dip a couple minutes to chill in the fridge to firm up so that your feta doesn’t melt all over the place. If you add it to your serving platter, the balsamic strawberries may slide off.
Crave-Worthy Topping Combinations
Don’t be afraid to get creative when you’re adding toppings to your vegan feta dip– sweet and savory flavors both taste great with it! Below you’ll find some of our favorite ways to finish it off.
- Tomato Basil: Make a true Italian dish by topping your toast with sliced grape or cherry tomatoes and a few fresh basil leaves. You can chop up the basil and sprinkle it on if preferred.
- Almond Fig: Try adding sliced figs, slivered almonds and some maple syrup to your toast! Any liquid sweetener that works with your diet can be used in place of the maple syrup, such as agave or honey.
- Blueberry Bliss: If you happen to have some fresh blueberries in your fridge, I highly recommend using them to top your feta dip. Drizzle on your favorite liquid sweetener while you’re at it!
- Honey Nut: You can never go wrong with chopped walnuts, sliced almonds and a drizzle of your favorite sweetener. The crunchy-creamy combo is divine!
- Berry Blast: Juicy blackberries and strawberries hold a special place in our hearts. We love adding them to this toast along with a little bit of maple syrup for good measure. Yum!
What to Serve with Creamy Whipped Feta
Wondering what pairs well with this creamy, dreamy dip? The options are infinite, but let’s focus on just a few.
- Toasted baguette slices: Be sure to have some regular and gluten-free / grain-free crostini for any guests with dietary restrictions.
- Crackers: Use your favorites, have regular and gluten-free / grain-free crackers for any guests with dietary restrictions.
Can I Make This in Advance?
If you’d like, you can whip your feta a day or two ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also make the balsamic strawberries the day before and store them in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days as well.
How to store
Store any leftover whipped feta in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 3 days.
Transfer any leftover balsamic strawberries in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
More heathy appetizers you will love:
These Balsamic Strawberries are an easy and delicious appetizer, side or snack that comes together with a handful of ingredients. Serve with your favorite gluten-free crackers, crusty bread or crostini.
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries washed, stems removed
- 2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or preferred sticky liquid sweetener of choice, plus more for drizzling at the end
- Fine sea salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste plus more for garnish
- 8 oz Vegan feta-style cheese (approximately 1 cup) , we like Violife. Regular feta works too if not dairy-free. You can also sub with ricotta, goat cheese or cottage cheese if preferred.
- 1/2 cup Dairy-free greek-style yogurt , we like Kite Hill or this coconut yogurt from Culina. Regular plain greek yogurt works too.
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Freshly chopped basil for garnish (about ½ - 1 teaspoon)
- Freshly finely chopped mint for garnish (about ½ - 1 teaspoon)
- 1 teaspoon candied or toasted pecans roughly chopped
- An assortment of your favorite toasted gluten-free / grain-free baguette slices,or crackers for dipping (gluten-free as needed)
- Slice small berries into halves and medium berries into quarters.
- In a medium saucepan combine maple syrup and balsamic vinegar and whisk over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until reduced. Stir in the strawberries and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Meanwhile, make the whipped feta by adding the feta cheese, yogurt, salt, black pepper and lemon juice to a food processor. Blend for 2-3 minutes or until smooth, while scraping down the sides periodically with a spatula as needed. Transfer the dip to a shallow plate or a bowl and chill in the fridge for about 10-20 minutes to firm up slightly or until ready to serve.
- Once ready, top with strawberries and garnish with freshly chopped basil, mint and pecans plus a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired..
Serve with an assortment of toasted baguette slices and crostini or crackers on the platter. Spread some whipped feta on the toasted baguette and top with some of the strawberry mixture.
How to make ahead
You can whip your feta a day or two ahead of time and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.
You can also make the balsamic strawberries the day before and store them in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days as well.
How to store
Store any leftover whipped feta in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 3 days.
Store any leftover balsamic strawberries in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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