This Caprese salad is fresh, simple, and full of classic Italian flavors. It's the kind of easy recipe that always feels a little special. It's a perfect for summer get-togethers, light meal, or as a beautiful side dish with dinner.
The Best Italian Caprese Salad
Having salads like this with such simple fresh ingredients is the best! This is one of my favorite summer salads and it gets made weekly when I can get fresh tomatoes, like Heirloom tomatoes, from the farmers market.
A wonderful alternative to this classic Italian salad is to slice cherry tomatoes (or even grape tomatoes), use small mozzarella balls, chopped fresh basil and toss it all in our homemade balsamic dressing or your favorite store-bought balsamic dressing. You can also make your own balsamic reduction by heating ½ cup of balsamic vinegar and a tablespoon or 2 of honey over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often.
I have a thing for Caprese anything. If you do too, be sure to make this Caprese stuffed chicken or this Caprese pasta salad.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
The complete list of ingredients with amounts are listed in the full recipe card below.
- Tomatoes – The best tomatoes are fresh and ripe. Slice them thin and evenly.
- Fresh mozzarella cheese – Slice into thin pieces. Pat the cheese dry with a paper towel before slicing. You can also swap this for burrata cheese.
- Fresh basil leaves – I use the whole basil leaves but you can chop them and sprinkle them all around as well.
- Balsamic glaze – I love Trader Joes’s brand. Drizzle over the top of everything. You can also just use a quality estra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar or even our homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
- Olive oil – optional
- Sea salt and pepper – optional
How to Make This Tomato and Mozzarella Salad
Step 1: Wash and slice the tomatoes into thin, even slices.
Step 2: Slice the fresh mozzarella into thin, even slices as well.
Step 3: On a serving platter or plate, layer slices of tomato, mozzarella, and a basil leaf, then continue alternating them in a row or circle until the platter is filled.
Step 4: Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Step 5: Add a little olive oil if desired, then salt and black pepper to taste if you'd like.
Step 6: Serve immediately while everything is fresh and chilled.
If you love this caprese salad, make these other easy salad recipes next:
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Easy Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 4 medium tomatoes sliced
- 16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves whole
- 2-3 tablespoons balsamic glaze optional
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Slice tomatoes into thin slices.4 medium tomatoes
- Slice mozzarella into thin slices.16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
- On a serving plate, place a slice of tomato, mozzarella and a basil leaf and continue alternating in a row or circle.1 cup fresh basil leaves
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze and a little olive oil, if desired.2-3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
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