Caprese Salad: a weeknight method

Caprese salad with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves and balsamic glaze.

This traditional caprese salad is a blend of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil and seasonings, all drizzled with balsamic glaze. A classic summer salad that is a must-have at any picnic or gathering!

I love to make the most of summer tomatoes by showcasing them in recipes like tomato avocado salad, stuffed tomatoes, and this super straightforward tomato mozzarella dish.

Every spring I plant a variety of tomato plants in my garden in hopes of getting a bounty of fresh tomatoes during the summer. Sometimes I get lucky and get a nice crop, other times my kids pluck all of the tomatoes off the plants before I can get to them! My go-to way to showcase tomatoes is a caprese salad and I’ve been on a mission to create my reliable version of the classic recipe.

Caprese salad is a reliable salad to enjoy the flavors of summer. It’s one of my go-to summer salads along with mango salad, carrot salad, corn salad, green bean salad and watermelon salad. Why not embrace the flavors of summer with a fresh salad?

Caprese Salad Ingredients

When you make caprese salad you will need tomatoes, small mozzarella balls, basil leaves, olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt and pepper.

How Do You Make Caprese Salad?

The first component of this dish is the tomatoes. Get the finest tomatoes you can. The tomatoes are cut into bite sized pieces, then placed in a bowl with fresh mozzarella cheese balls and fresh basil leaves. Sprinkle salt and black pepper into extra virgin olive oil. Drizzle that olive oil over the tomatoes and everything gets tossed together. The finishing touch is a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Tomatoes, mozzarella and basil in a bowl.

Tips For The Finest Caprese Salad

You can use vine ripened tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Campari tomatoes or Roma tomatoes for this recipe. Choose whatever is in season and fresh.
I like to use whole small basil leaves, but you can chop your basil if you prefer.
Balsamic glaze is a thickened balsamic vinegar with a richer, more complex taste. You can find this glaze at most grocery stores near the vinegars or salad dressings.
Serve your salad alongside grilled chicken kabobs, grilled swordfish or grilled lobster tail for a light and summery meal.

Quick Tip

I use small mozzarella balls known as ciliegine, they come packed in tubs of water in the deli section. You can also dice a ball of fresh mozzarella into cubes.

Olive oil being poured over tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves.

Recipe FAQs

What is caprese salad?

Caprese salad is an Italian salad that consists of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, olive oil, salt and pepper. Often times you will also see balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze on this salad. This salad can be served with large slices of tomato and mozzarella, or the tomatoes and cheese can be diced into smaller pieces for a more bite sized salad.

How long does caprese salad last in the fridge?

Caprese salad is finest served immediately after it’s made. You can store it in the fridge for up to 6 hours, just be aware that tomatoes tend to get mealy after they’ve been in the refrigerator for an extended period of time.

What does caprese mean in a salad?

Caprese salad means “salad of Capri.” The island of Capri is an Italian island known for its beauty and resorts. As related to food, caprese means having tomato, mozzarella, basil and olive oil. A caprese salad features those main ingredients.

What can I use instead of mozzarella in a caprese salad.

While fresh mozzarella is a traditional cheese for caprese salad, you could also use a ball of burrata cheese. You could set a ball of burrata in a shallow bowl and place the caprese salad around the burrata. You could also use other mild cheeses in your salad like feta cheese, fontina cheese or regular low moisture mozzarella cheese.

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A serving spoon of caprese salad with tomato, mozzarella and basil.

Tomato Salad Variations

This salad is tasty as-is, but you can add a variety of other ingredients to customize this recipe to your tastes.

Protein: Add up to 1 cup of diced grilled chicken breast, chickpeas, grilled shrimp or white beans. You can also add 1/2 cup of cooked crumbled bacon.
Vegetables: Amp up the veggie factor with the addition of avocado, zucchini noodles, artichoke hearts or roasted peppers.
Herbs: Add up to 1/4 cup of mixed herbs such as parsley, dill and chives.

I make this salad on repeat during the summer tomato season when tomatoes are at their peak ripeness. It’s also a reliable side dish for picnics and grilling. This tasty salad has a short prep time and bold flavor that is reliable all summer long.

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Add as Google preferred source Authorthe Makdob kitchen Caprese salad with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves and balsamic glaze.

This traditional caprese salad is a blend of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil and seasonings, all drizzled with balsamic glaze. A classic summer salad that is a must-have at any picnic or gathering! Time Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 minute
Total Time11 minutes

Course Salad
Cuisine American
Serves 6 servings

Ingredients

5 cups tomatoes cut into bite sized pieces
1 1/4 cups small mozzarella balls such as ciliegine
1/2 cup small basil leaves
3 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons balsamic glaze

Instructions

Place the tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil leaves in a large bowl.
In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, salt and pepper.
Pour the olive oil over the tomato mixture and toss gently to coat.
Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the salad, then serve immediately.

Notes

You can use vine ripened tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Campari tomatoes or Roma tomatoes for this recipe. Choose whatever is in season and fresh.
I like to use whole small basil leaves, but you can chop your basil if you prefer.
I use small mozzarella balls known as ciliegine, they come packed in tubs of water in the deli section. You can also dice a ball of fresh mozzarella into cubes.
Balsamic glaze is a thickened balsamic vinegar with a richer, more complex taste. You can find this glaze at most grocery stores near the vinegars or salad dressings.