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!

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

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