Light, refreshing, and full of flavor, this Caprese salad is perfect for an easy side dish or to take to a barbecue or potluck. Juicy tomatoes plus creamy mozzarella plus fresh aromatic basil = yum!

By the end of winter into early spring, I’m really looking forward to all the bursts of flavor that come from garden fresh produce. And as soon as the first tomatoes ripen, I make this Caprese salad.
Caprese is a superstar salad. Also known as salada caprese or tomato mozzarella salad, it’s simple to put together and has an incredible mix of flavors. This healthy salad recipe is my new go-to for summer (or as soon as I can find fresh tomatoes at the farmers market)!
WHAT IS CAPRESE SALAD?
Picture this: juicy, sweet tomatoes meet creamy, soft mozzarella, and fresh, aromatic basil.
The traditional way of preparing this salad is to meticulously slice the ingredients and carefully stack them on a serving platter, before topping them off with balsamic reduction.
Well, I don’t usually do it that way. I prefer making a chopped Caprese salad. I’m all about making meals EASY without sacrificing flavor!
It’s also much easier to serve a mixed cherry tomato Caprese salad at the dinner table or a potluck. There’s no need to slice the tomatoes on your plate either!
Not only is this simple salad crazy good and practically effortless to prepare, but it’s also budget-friendly!

INGREDIENTS FOR CAPRESE SALAD RECIPES
Authentic Caprese salad recipes call for only a handful of ingredients, making it one of my favorites.
- Ripe Tomatoes. For your Caprese salad tomatoes, choose large tomatoes like beefsteak or Roma tomatoes or smaller ones like cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. Peak-season summer tomatoes are going to have the most amazing flavor.
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese. I prefer using large slices but smaller fresh mozzarella balls work too. You could also try fresh burrata, which has a similar mild flavor and creamy texture, or goat cheese. If you want to make this a vegan side dish, use sliced avocado in place of the cheese.
- Basil. You definitely want fresh basil leaves for this recipe. You can also add a few fresh mint leaves along with the basil for a different but equally delicious flavor.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil. A drizzle of olive oil over the top of everything helps the flavors meld.
- Sea Salt. This flaky sea salt is perfect.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper. Just a sprinkle to taste.
- Balsamic Vinegar. This is optional but adds a really delicious sweet and tangy flavor to the finished dish.

INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO MAKE CAPRESE SALAD
Step 1: Roughly chop the large tomatoes or halve smaller tomatoes and place them in a large bowl. Cut fresh mozzarella cheese into ½″ chunks (or ½” ball of fresh mozzarella).
Step 2: Roughly chop the fresh basil leaves and mix well with the tomatoes and cheese.

Step 3: Liberally drizzle extra virgin olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar over the ingredients and mix well. Let sit for 10-20 minutes while the flavors meld. Sprinkle the mixture with salt and pepper just before serving.
BALSAMIC GLAZE FOR CAPRESE SALAT
While traditional Caprese salad doesn’t include the balsamic reduction, many people enjoy the sweet and tangy flavor it adds to the dish. However, it’s optional and the salad will still be delicious without it.
To make a homemade balsamic glaze, simmer 2 cups of balsamic vinegar over medium-low heat. Cook for 10-20 minutes until the vinegar has reduced to a glaze. Remove from heat and allow to cool before lightly drizzling on the salad. You may not use the full amount.
You can also simply drizzle Caprese with a bit of balsamic vinegar without reducing it first.

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER TOMATO CAPRESE SALAD
If you want to do some of the prep work ahead of time, you can slice the tomatoes and mozzarella and store them separately in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. However, assemble the salad and add the olive oil, salt, and pepper just before serving to maintain the freshness and avoid the salad becoming overly soggy.
Caprese salad is best served fresh, but you can store it for 1-2 days if necessary. Since this chopped caorese salad already calls for tomatoes and mozzarella to be mixed with the dressing, simply cover or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
If you find your Caprese salad has gone a little mushy, cook up a few eggs and throw them on top of your leftovers for a tasty breakfast.

VARIATIONS FOR SALAD CAPRESE RECIPES
Now comes the exciting part – exploring the fantastic variations of the classic Caprese salad recipe:
- Make Traditional Insalata Caprese: Slice tomatoes and mozzarella ¼″ to ½″ thick. Layer each between leaves of basil OR chop up the basil and sprinkle on top. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Make A Tomato Caprese Sandwich: Toast thick-cut slices of bread. Smear one side with pesto and place thick slices of tomato and mozzarella on top. If desired, heat under the broiler until the cheese begins to melt. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves. Top with another slice of toasted bread. Dip in plates filled with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar combination.
- Make Caprese Tomato Soup: Prepare a batch of Tomato Basil Soup and ladle it into oven-proof bowls. Top with thick slices of bread, tomatoes, and mozzarella. If desired, heat under a broiler until the cheese begins to melt. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top. Lightly add olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar.
- Create a Caprese Pasta Salad: Use this Master Pasta Salad Recipe and add cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar as the dressing.
- Make Caprese Pizza: Top your favorite pizza dough with pizza sauce or pesto, then add thinly sliced tomatoes, chopped basil, and plenty of mozzarella cheese. Drizzle balsamic vinegar after baking for a finishing sauce.
- Serve Caprese Salad Skewers: Perfect for a party, layer cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves on a skewer. Serve on a plate and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
- Turn it into Chicken Caprese Salad: Add cubed or shredded chicken to the main recipe. This would also be great in pasta salad Caprese recipes!
SERVE WITH CAPRESE
The key to pairing with Caprese salad is to balance the flavors. Since the salad is fresh and lightly seasoned, it pairs best with dishes and drinks that complement its natural flavors without overpowering them.
We love to serve this salad recipe with:
- Grilled Steak
- Sheet Pan Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Shrimp
- Tomato Basil Soup
- No-Knead Artisan Bread
- Rosemary Flat Bread

ADDING PROTEIN TO CAPRESE SALAD
Since this Caprese salad recipe is mostly veggies with some fat in the cheese and olive oil, you’ll want to make sure you have a balanced plate. Add a serving of lean protein: steak, chicken breast or thighs, or shrimp are all great options to help up your protein intake without adding much additional fat.
You can then fill the rest of your plate with additional veggies, or if you have carbs available for your meal, try a Cloud Dinner Roll or a slice of Sourdough Bread!
CAORESE SALAD FAQS
What kind of tomatoes are best for Caprese salad?
Ripe tomatoes fresh from the garden are perfect for an easy Caprese salad. Heirloom tomatoes and beefsteak tomatoes are great if you like the sliced type of Caprese salad. I love halved cherry tomatoes for smaller bite-sized pieces.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Fresh basil leaves are recommended for this salad recipe as they give a vibrant flavor and aroma. Dried basil does not have the same fresh flavor and may alter the classic taste of the salad. If you don’t have fresh basil, try 1 teaspoon of dried basil and taste.
What is peach Caprese salad?
Add peaches to the mix of your salad Caprese recipes! You can make it the traditional way with sliced peaches layered in between the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Or you can cut the peaches and mix them into the chopped salad. Personally, I think I would skip the tomatoes and just add the peaches with the cheese and basil. Yum!
What is the difference between bruschetta and Caprese?
Bruschetta ingredients are similar – tomatoes, garlic, oil, and salt, possibly with mozzarella or fresh herbs, but it is served on small slices of toasted bread rather than in a salad.
MORE DELICIOUS EASY SALAD RECIPES
- Vegetable Greek Salad
- Cranberry Apple Spinach Salad
- Chicken Southwest Salad
- Kale Salad Recipe with Strawberries, Pecans, and Blue Cheese
- Waldorf Salad

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Sign up for my FREE Fight Inflation Workshop and learn simple strategies to save money, even with rising food costs!Caprese Salad
Light, refreshing, and full of flavor, this Caprese salad is perfect for an easy side dish or to take to a barbecue or potluck. Juicy tomatoes plus creamy mozzarella plus fresh aromatic basil = yum!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup and Salad
- Method: Chop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Instructions
- Roughly chop large tomatoes or slice grape tomatoes and place them in a large bowl. Cut fresh mozzarella cheese into ½ ″ cubes.
- Roughly chop fresh basil leaves and mix well with tomatoes and cheese.
- Liberally drizzle extra virgin olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar over the ingredients and mix well. Let sit for 10-20 minutes while flavors meld. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper just before serving.
Notes
If you want to do some of the prep work ahead of time, you can slice the tomatoes and mozzarella and store them separately in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. However, assemble the salad and add the olive oil, salt, and pepper just before serving to maintain the freshness and avoid the salad becoming overly soggy.
Caprese salad is best served fresh, but you can store it for 1-2 days if necessary. Since this chopped Caprese salad already calls for tomatoes and mozzarella to be mixed with the dressing, simply cover or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
Can I use dried basil? I have a ton of tomatoes and boconncini but don’t have fresh basil and want to make this salad. Thanks
You can, but it’ll change the salad just a bit. The flavor will be there, but not as bold. Start by 1 tsp of dried basil and go from there.
You’re speaking to my heart here – LOVE these caprese options. This is going on my meal plan this week! YUM!
I saw a picture on Pinterest using cherry tomatoes on toothpicks with pesto and cheese. Perfect for entertaining and so cute.
Ooh – I think I saw that one too. Made me want to lick my screen!
Oh, totally pinning this.
Wanna eat the screen, eh? Me too. 😉
it sounds like your culinary training and mine were on par before we started our real food journeys. it’s funny how we buy into thinking that food can only come in the ways we are accustomed to seeing it. at one point, I thought mashed potatoes could only come from potato flakes!
I used to think the same thing about potatoes, and even preferred THAT taste! Funny how our brains work like that, lol.