A classic Italian salad recipe for Caprese Salad made with thick-sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar! Bring a touch of sweetness by making a homemade balsamic glaze to use in place of balsamic vinegar. The best appetizer recipe that is always a huge hit with everyone!
The Best Caprese Salad Recipe
Late into the summer months we always have tomato plants and fresh basil leaves ready to harvest! And this traditional caprese salad is one of our favorite ways to enjoy all those fresh ingredients. Definitely one of our favorite summer salads! Just layer some thick slices on a plate with some mozzarella cheese and a generous drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a gorgeous colorful dish. Perfect for a quick lunch option or place on a serving platter at your next backyard cookout to share as a simple appetizer. A fresh caprese salad is always a crowd-pleaser!
Looking to expand these classic Italian flavors into another recipe, you have to try our Caprese Burger – so good!
What You Will Need
- sliced mozzarella cheese – it is simply the best cheese in all the land and can be found at your local grocery store.
- ripe tomatoes – any tomato variety will do, so just grab your favorite! We love those late summer juicy tomatoes from the garden or farmers market.
- fragrant basil leaves – a fresh herb that brings the best flavor!
- extra-virgin olive oil & balsamic vinegar – option to add a little bit for drizzling on top or make it a bit sweeter with a store-bought balsamic glaze or make your own in a small saucepan.
- flaky sea salt & fresh cracked pepper – simple seasonings that are always a must for sprinkling on top!
How To Make A Caprese Salad
The first steps to making this simple salad recipe are to gather all of the fresh ingredients.
Simply cut the tomatoes and mozzarella into 1/2 inch thick slices. Layer the thick slices of tomato and creamy fresh mozzarella on a plate with sweet basil leaves.
Then add that generous drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar or balsamic reduction on top of the salad!
What Do You Eat Caprese Salad With
There are so many great options for this classic caprese salad recipe! Enjoy it all by itself as a classic appetizer recipe or as a main course for a light lunch. Or serve this tomato mozzarella salad as a side dish alongside some grilled chicken breasts or some perfectly grilled steaks! We also love to add a big slice of crusty bread or grilled bread, which just happens to be perfect for soaking up any additional oil & balsamic vinegar on the plate.
Another great option would be to turn this delicious salad into a Caprese Sandwich, trust us, you won’t regret it!
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Caprese Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Description
Caprese Salad – a light and refreshing caprese salad recipe made with just a few fresh ingredients! Perfect for hot summer days.
Ingredients
- 16oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 3–4 whole tomatoes, sliced
- 14 fresh basil leaves (more or less as desired)
- 1–2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (high-quality)
- 1–2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or balsamic glaze)
- sea salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Ensure that the fresh mozzarella and tomatoes are thickly slicked (approx. 1/2 inch).
- Layer the tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil. Repeat until you have used all the tomatoes, cheese, and basil.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (or a balsamic glaze for something a bit sweeter).
- Sprinkle with sea salt (kosher salt works too) and fresh cracked pepper.
Notes
- Make Ahead: this can easily be made ahead for a party just layer and cover with foil. Store in refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar right before serving.
- Tomato: feel free to use whatever variety of tomatoes available to use, but I like to try and grab tomatoes that are the perfect size, similar to the size of mozzarella slices.
- Best Olive Oil: this is one of those recipe where I would highly recommend using high-quality extra virgin olive oil since you will taste it quite a bit – you don’t want something too over-powering.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 107
- Sugar: 2.6 g
- Sodium: 424.6 mg
- Fat: 1.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.5 g
- Protein: 18.5 g
- Cholesterol: 10.2 mg
Keywords: caprese salad, how to make caprese salad, caprese salad recipe
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