Caprese Salad is a simple salad made with fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. This light Tomato and Mozzarella Salad is easy to make, elegant, and impresses with its classic flavors!
If you love the flavors in this Caprese Salad, you will also enjoy Caprese Pasta Salad, Tomato Bruschetta, Tomato Pizza, and Mozzarella and Tomato Quinoa Bake.
Insalata Caprese translates to Salad of Capri, which is a region in Italy known for juicy tomatoes, basil and some of the best olive oil.
And this simple Tomato and Mozzarella Salad highlights the best of Capri.
Ingredients
Because there are only a handful of ingredients in this Caprese Salad, it is crucial to select the best.
- Tomatoes--Fresh, in-season vine-ripened tomatoes are best. Garden vine-ripened tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes are excellent choices.
- Basil--choose fresh, vibrant green basil
- Mozzarella--Fresh mozzarella is a must! Unless you choose fresh burrata cheese--which is not classic for Caprese Salad, but delicious!
- Olive Oil--good quality extra virgin olive oil
- Salt/Pepper--kosher salt or sea salt and freshly cracked pepper are best.
- Balsamic Vinegar--(optional) Balsamic vinegar is not traditional in Caprese Salads, but I love the acidity it brings to this dish. Feel free to omit.
How To Make Caprese Salad
The preparation of this salad is incredibly simple. But when these ingredients are prepared correctly, there is nothing better!
Step One: Prepare Tomatoes and Mozzarella
- Wash and dry tomatoes.
- Slice tomatoes into ¼ inch thick slices. Sprinkle tomatoes with salt.
- Slice mozzarella into ¼ inch thick slices.
- Wash and dry basil. I prefer to slice basil into thin ribbons instead of leaving them whole. This way the basil does not overpower the tomatoes and mozzarella. But feel free to leave the leaves whole if desired.
- Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella on platter overlapping and alternating the tomato and mozzarella.
- Either tuck whole leaves of basil in between the layers of mozzarella and tomatoes or sprinkle the ribbons over the salad.
Step Two: Caprese Salad Dressing
There is really no "dressing" for Caprese Salad. Instead, a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and salt is all that is needed. I like to finish this Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with a drizzle of balsamic reduction as well, but that is optional.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil evenly over the salad.
- Sprinkle with a small pinch of salt and pepper if using.
- If using, drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Serve immediately or within one hour of preparation.
Balsamic Reduction
You can easily purchase a balsamic reduction or glaze or you can make it at home.
- Place ½ cup balsamic vinegar into heavy bottomed saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer.
- Allow to reduce, stirring occasionally, until the balsamic is reduced by half and coats the back of a spoon. This takes about 10 minutes.
More Summer Salads
Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 4 large vine-ripened or heirloom tomatoes sliced into ¼ inch slices
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese sliced into ¼ inch slices
- 15-20 basil leaves sliced into ribbons
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- kosher/sea salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon balsamic reduction optional
Instructions
- Generously sprinkle sliced tomatoes with salt.
- Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter in an alternating and overlapping pattern.
- Either tuck whole leaves of basil in between layers of tomatoes or sprinkle salad with the ribbons of basil.
- Drizzle the salad evenly with extra virgin olive oil.
- Sprinkle with small pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze if using.
- Serve immediately or within one hour of preparation.
Notes
- Beefsteak, vine-ripened, or heirloom tomatoes are all great for this Tomato and Mozzarella Salad.
Nellie
The absolute best salad for summer! Love it!
Kristen Chidsey
I totally agree with you Nellie!
Chrysa
This is one of my favorites. I love your simple instructions to make it a reality on my dinner table!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! So glad my instructions were clear Chyrsa!