Caprese Salad

A classic Caprese Salad recipe made with fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, and a simple caprese dressing. Serve as a side dish or an appetizer, this fresh salad only takes 10 minutes to prepare!

Looking for more appetizers? Try my Classic Cheese Ball, Spinach Artichoke Dip, or learn how to create the Perfect Charcuterie Board!

Why I love this recipe:

• Elegant – This salad has the freshest ingredients and when they are combined, the taste is perfection! I fell in love with this salad when I ate it every night with dinner while I was in Italy.
• Quick – The easiest salad you will ever make, from start to finish is just 10 minutes! Serve as a side dish or an appetizer.
• Easy to Customize – Depending on what you like, you can drizzle on balsamic glaze, use heirloom or cherry tomatoes, or add more veggies! Look under my variations for some ideas.

What is Caprese Salad?

Caprese salad is an Italian dish, also referred to as Insalata Caprese.  The dish received its name from Capri, an island off the coast of Naples, Italy.

You will notice that my recipe doesn’t include balsamic vinegar.  A true caprese salad isn’t served with balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, but feel free to add it if you love the flavor!  Simply drizzle 1-2 teaspoons on top of the salad after assembly.

Ingredients Needed:

• Mozzarella – fresh mozzarella (like this log commonly found in grocery stores) is best. Or substitute fresh mozzarella balls packed in water, or burrata cheese.
• Tomatoes– be sure your tomatoes are not overly ripe.  You want them to be slightly firm with a copper red coloring. Use a serrated knife to get a good cut.
• Basil– use small whole leaves, or rip larger basil leaves gently, by hand, rather than cutting them with a knife.
• Extra Virgin Olive oil- lightly drizzled on top. I like to use a good quality, that’s pure extra virgin.
• Salt and pepper– to taste.

How to make Caprese Salad:

Slice Cheese and Tomato: Slice a large log of fresh mozzarella and a large tomato. I like to use a serrated knife, to get a good clean cut. Sprinkle a little bit of salt on your tomato slices. 

Assemble: Arrange salad by alternately laying slices of tomato and mozzarella on a plate.
Drizzle a little bit of olive oil over top (this serves as the caprese salad dressing). Tuck basil leaves throughout, or sprinkle them on top. Garnish with a little sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Serve: Enjoy your caprese salad fresh!

Make Ahead Instructions:

To Make Ahead: This easy Caprese salad is definitely best served fresh but it can stay in the fridge for 2-3 days.  If you need to make it ahead of time, slice the mozzarella and tomatoes and store them separately in the refrigerator.

Recipe Variations:

• Balsamic Glaze : balsamic is not traditionally added to caprese salad, but feel free to drizzle on a little at the end. You can make your own balsamic glaze, or I love the Trader Joes brand).
• Cherry Tomatoes: If you’d like, substitute cherry tomatoes either whole or halved.
• Veggies: You could add some cucumbers, lettuce, avocado, or any of your favorite veggies.
• Peaches: use fresh sliced peaches in place of tomatoes.

Serve With:

• Artisan No Knead Bread
• Grilled Steak
• Grilled Chicken
• Steak Kabobs
• Chicken Kabobs
• Easy, No-Fuss Pork Tenderloin
• Cedar Plank Salmon
• Marinated Flank Steak

I originally shared this recipe May 2019. Updated June 2022.