Caprese Salad

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Flavorful Caprese Salad is made with ripe tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, and fresh basil. It can be served as an appetizer or as a side dish.

a caprese salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Caprese salad is a simple Italian recipe that is the colors of their flag. The classic salad has only olive oil on top but adding a balsamic glaze has become a popular variation.

Caprese Salad Ingredients

There are only a few ingredients in Caprese salad so choose the best ones you can get. Scroll down for the complete recipe with ingredient measurements.

Tomatoes: We used tomatoes that were about the same size as the mozzarella we bought, but you can use any kind of tomatoes so go with your favorite ripe ones! If you prefer to make this salad in a bowl, choose grape or cherry tomatoes.
Mozzarella Cheese: For this salad, you’ll need fresh, soft mozzarella cheese which you can find near the deli area of the grocery store. To make this salad in a bowl, you can use mozzarella pearls.
Basil: We added basil leaves as well as sliced basil to this salad so that every bite gets a little basil!
Olive Oil: Choose a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor!
Spices: Season this salad with coarse salt and coarse ground black pepper.
Balsamic Glaze: The balsamic glaze is optional, it is not part of the classic salad, but it adds additional flavor if you choose to use it.

fresh mozzarella cheese and tomatoes, sliced and arranged on a platter with basil leaves and olive oil.

How To Make A Caprese Salad

A Caprese salad is ready in minutes! All you need to do is simply slice, assemble, and garnish. Scroll down for the printable recipe card and complete instructions.

Prep: Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into evenly thick slices and then cut the basil into thin strips.
Assembly: Arrange the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a platter. See the FAQs below for additional options.
Garnish: Drizzle the olive oil over the salad, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, and finish with a balsamic glaze, if desired.

tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella on a platter.

Caprese Salad Frequently Asked Questions

How do you eat Caprese salad?

It is eaten with a fork. Use the fork to cut a piece of tomato and mozzarella to eat together in one bite.

What do you serve with Caprese salad?

It can be served with pasta, pizza, chicken, or sandwiches. You can also serve it as an appetizer.

Can I turn this into a lettuce salad?

Yes! Cut the tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil into bite sides pieces and put them on top of a bed of fresh lettuce. The salad with olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper for the dressing.

What are some other ways to make this salad?

When making this for a party, you can serve cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil leaves on cocktail picks. Or mix cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil together in a bowl and use the olive oil and balsamic glaze as the dressing.

a caprese salad on a white serving platter.

Want more summer recipes? Try these next:

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Caprese Salad

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Flavorful Caprese Salad is made with ripe tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, and fresh basil. It can be served as an appetizer or as a side dish.

Ingredients

4 medium tomatoes
1 lb fresh mozzarella
1 bunch fresh basil
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp coarse salt
1/4 tsp coarse ground black pepper
2 tsp balsamic glaze, optional

Instructions

Slice the tomatoes and fresh mozzarella into 1/4 inch thick slices.
To chiffonade the basil, stack five or six basil leaves, roll them up into a tight roll, and slice them into thin strips.
Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices on a platter. Tuck fresh basil leaves between some of the slices and top with the strips of basil.
Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1/6 of salad
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 245Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 487mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 15g

Nutrition data is calculated automatically by Nutritionix and isn't always accurate. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health.