Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta is a fresh yet luxurious tasting summer appetizer that everyone loves but is super easy to make!

This Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta is a hypnotic symphony of sweet strawberries, tangy smoky, goat cheese, toasted, grilled French bread, and sweet and tangy Balsamic Reduction. Add a few blueberries and you have a red, white and blue appetizer perfect for the 4th of July!

Thank you Grill Mates® for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

GOAT CHEESE BRUSCHETTA RECIPE VIDEO

 

This Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta might just be the best version of bruschetta in. the. world. I lost count of how many loaded slices I devoured in one sitting and even my husband couldn’t stop munching the fresh, bright, creamy, comforting sweet and tangy morsels.

This Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta is perfect for all your summer potlucks, parties, and barbecues, especially the upcoming 4th of July! They’re impressive yet low hassle and most of the prep can be done ahead of time aaaaaaaaad did I mention they are smeared with Smokehouse Maple goat cheese?!!!

How to Make Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

You are going to LOVE how easy this Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta is to make with only a handful of ingredients.

• Chop Strawberries.  You can prep your strawberries and basil ahead of time for extra quick assembly.

• Combine Strawberries and Basil. The basil adds a wonderfully earthy compliment to the fresh strawberries.

• Combine goat cheese and McCormick® Grill Mates® Smokehouse Maple seasoning.  The tangy garlic, herb goat cheese plus the sweet and smoky Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple seasoning = pure magic.

If you haven’t tried Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning yet, it is a pantry and grilling must to grill your best this summer. It’s a tantalizing blend of coarsely ground spices including paprika, chili pepper, orange peel along with cane sugar, brown sugar and molasses to create an irresistible smoky sweet blend. It instantly elevates chicken, pork, salmon, etc. and would be fabulous in butters and spreads as evidenced by this Goat Cheese Bruschetta.

• Brush bread with olive oil. To make this easier, I drizzle all of the bread with olive oil then use a brush to evenly disperse it. Don’t be stingy on the olive oil as it adds wonderful flavor!
• Grill. Grill bread for approximately 3 minutes per side, or until nicely toasted.

• Assemble. Spread each baguette slice with goat cheese then top evenly with strawberries and drizzle with balsamic reduction.

• Inhale.

Tips and Tricks for Goat Cheese Bruschetta

• Prep ahead. You can chop your strawberries, basil and slice your bread ahead of time. You can also combine your Goat Cheese and Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning. I don’t recommend spreading the goat cheese on the bread too far in advance because the goat cheese will look “cracked” after it sits. This is more an aesthetic issue and will still taste wonderful so it is up to you whether or not that bothers you.
• Soften Goat Cheese. Garlic Herb Goat Cheese costs the same as regular coat cheese and comes already packed with goodness!   Leave goat cheese out for about one hour before serving to soften OR microwave at 15 second intervals just until softened.
• Use fresh French baguette. You want to start with soft bread so your grilled bread has the perfect toasted crunch without becoming too crunchy.
• Customize Fruit. This Goat Cheese Bruschetta would be delicious with other fruits such as peaches or cherries.
• Store Bought Balsamic Reduction. You can purchase “Balsamic Glaze” instead of making balsamic reduction yourself.
• 4th of July Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta. Add a single or multiple blueberries to the strawberries for a red, white and blue appetizer for 4th of July.
• Goat Cheese Substitute. I personally adore tangy, salty goat cheese but you can substitute with any soft cheese such as cream cheese, brie or Mascarpone.

Balsamic Reduction for Goat Cheese Bruschetta

While the Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta is delightful all on its own, the Balsamic reduction elevates it to extraordinary. As the balsamic vinegar reduces with a splash of sugar, it becomes less acidity, increasingly sweet and one of the most concentrated flavors of YUM you will ever taste. It’s sweet and tangy richness was made for strawberries so please don’t skip it!

To make Balsamic Reduction:
• Whisk balsamic vinegar and sugar into saucepan.
• Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer just until the consistency of syrup, approximately 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Tips and Tricks for Balsamic Reduction

• Prep Goat Cheese Bruschetta first. Don’t be tempted to assemble your bruschetta while you wait for the Balsamic Reduction to cool or it will harden. You want your Bruschetta completely assembled with the grilled bread, goat cheese and strawberries so all that’s left to do is drizzle with Balsamic Reduction.
• Stir often. It will seem like your reduction is taking a while to thicken then out of no where it will start to thicken so keep a careful eye on it and continue to stir so it doesn’t burn.
• Thicken to the consistency of syrup. Continue to thicken until it reaches the consistency of syrup. If you thicken it closer to the consistency of molasses just be aware it will thicken considerably as it cools and you run the risk of it hardening.
• Drizzle at room temperature. Use your Balsamic Reduction as soon as it has cooled to room temperature otherwise it may become too thick as it cools.
• If it hardens. If your Balsamic Reduction is beginning to harden before you use it then whisk in a little water and gently reheat to loosen.

Looking for more Strawberry Recipes?

• Broccoli Salad with Strawberries and Avocados
• Fresh Strawberry Syrup
• Strawberry Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Strawberry Cheesecake
• Mini Strawberry Pies
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
• Berry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
• Strawberry Pear Flatbread Pizza

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Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta is an easy, fresh yet luxurious tasting appetizer that everyone loves!   It’s a hypnotic symphony of sweet strawberries, tangy smoky, goat cheese, toasted, grilled French bread, and sweet and tangy Balsamic Reduction. 

Servings: 35 – 40 slices

Total Time: 33 minutes mins

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 18 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• 1 pound strawberries chopped
• 5 basil leaves chopped
• 8 oz. garlic herb goat cheese softened
• 1 tablespoon McCormick® Grill Mates® Smokehouse Maple Seasoning
• 1 long French baguette sliced into ¾” slices (approx. 23 inches/11 oz.)
• Olive oil for brushing
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Garnish

• basil leaves, chiffonade

Instructions

• Add strawberries and chopped basil to a medium bowl. Stir to combine.
• Add goat cheese and Grill Mates® Smokehouse Maple seasoning to a separate medium bowl. Stir until well combined and set aside.
• Preheat grill to 350 degrees F. Brush baguette slices with olive oil on each side. Grill for approximately 3 minutes per side, or until nicely toasted. Alternatively you can oven broil the slices until toasted.
• Spread each baguette slice with goat cheese then top evenly with strawberries.

Balsamic Reduction

• Whisk balsamic vinegar and sugar into saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer just until the consistency of syrup, approximately 10-15 minutes, stirring often.
• Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. It will thick upon cooling. As soon as it’s cooled to room temperature, drizzle each piece of Strawberry Bruschetta with Balsamic Reduction. Top with additional basil if desired. Serve.

Video

Notes

Don’t miss the “how to make” recipe video at the top of the post!

• Prep ahead. You can chop your strawberries, basil and slice your bread ahead of time. You can also combine your Goat Cheese and Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning. I don’t recommend spreading the goat cheese on the bread too far in advance because the goat cheese will look “cracked” after it sits. This is more an aesthetic issue and will still taste wonderful so it is up to you whether or not that bothers you.
• Goat Cheese.  Garlic Herb Goat Cheese costs the same as regular coat cheese and comes already packed with goodness!  Goat cheese can be found with the specialty cheeses at your grocery store.  To soften, leave goat cheese out for about one hour before serving to soften OR microwave at 15 second intervals just until softened.
• Use fresh French baguette. You want to start with soft bread so your grilled bread has the perfect toasted crunch without becoming too crunchy.
• Store Bought Balsamic Reduction. You can purchase “Balsamic Glaze” instead of making balsamic reduction yourself.
• 4th of July Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta. Add a single or multiple blueberries to the strawberries for a red, white and blue appetizer for 4th of July.

Tips and Tricks for Balsamic Reduction

• Prep Goat Cheese Bruschetta first. Don’t be tempted to assemble your bruschetta while you wait for the Balsamic Reduction to cool or it will harden. You want your Bruschetta completely assembled with the grilled bread, goat cheese and strawberries so all that’s left to do is drizzle with Balsamic Reduction.
• Stir often. It will seem like your reduction is taking a while to thicken then out of no where it will start to thicken so keep a careful eye on it and continue to stir so it doesn’t burn.
• Thicken to the consistency of syrup. Continue to thicken until it reaches the consistency of syrup. If you thicken it closer to the consistency of molasses just be aware it will thicken considerably as it cools and you run the risk of it hardening.
• If it hardens. If your Balsamic Reduction is beginning to harden before you use it then whisk in a little water and gently reheat to loosen.

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