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This delicious Mozzarella Caprese Salad is super simple to make and is such a beautiful salad! Made with alternating slices of juicy tomatoes and creamy mozzarella then topped with fresh herbs, this caprese salad recipe is perfect for the summer!
Caprese salad (also known as insalata caprese) is a classic Italian salad that only requires a handful of fresh and healthy ingredients. I just love how easy it is to make and how refreshing this mozzarella caprese salad is. It’s simple, juicy, and creamy, and there is nothing like taking a bite out of this tomato basil mozzarella salad on a hot summer day.
It’s a great salad to serve as a side throughout the warm months since it doesn’t require any cooking and it takes only a few minutes to prepare. It’s perfect to pair with my Salmon Skewers or Grilled Chili Lime Shrimp as well as my Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta.
Why You’ll Love This Caprese Salad
- No cooking required! All you have to do is slice up your ingredients and place them on a plate. Easy as pie!
- A beautiful salad. This is an eye-catching salad that is not just great for a weeknight meal but is also great for entertaining.
- Who doesn’t love cheese? Who doesn’t love delicious mouthfuls of mozzarella! It’s absolutely perfect for cheese-lovers.
What You’ll Need
- Ripe vine tomatoes: sliced ¼ inch thick.
- Pre-sliced fresh mozzarella: I use BelGioioso but you can always slice your own.
- Fresh basil: fresh is definitely preferred over dried basil.
- Olive oil: I recommend using extra virgin
- Balsamic glaze: no need for crazy expensive balsamic but you’ll want a decent one as it’ll be what flavors the salad.
- Seasoning: salt and black pepper.
How To Make Caprese Salad
- Slice the tomatoes: Sliced the tomatoes into ¼” thick slices.
- Prepare the basil: Wash the basil bunch and pick out all the leaves.
- Layer the salad: In a platter, start by layering the tomatoes, mozzarella slices and tuck the basil leaves in between each.
- Finish off the salad: Drizzle the olive oil, balsamic glaze, and season with some salt and pepper and serve.
Tips and Notes
- If you do not have a balsamic glaze, you can make your own by simmering balsamic vinegar with honey.
- Be sure to pick a good quality olive oil because you can really taste it here since there’s only a handful of ingredients.
- I recommend making this in the summertime because that is when tomatoes and basil are in season and are the tastiest!
- You can add extra flavor by adding a couple of dollops of pesto sauce to the salad.
- Try a combination of fresh basil and fresh mint for extra flavor.
FAQs
I recommend that you prepare this caprese salad recipe shortly before serving as it doesn’t keep well.
You can opt for burrata but this salad is traditionally made with mozzarella cheese.
Try adding some fresh peaches, persimmons, nectarines, strawberries, and more. I just add whatever that is in season to change things around. Avocado makes for a delicious creamy addition to this salad as well.
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Mozzarella Caprese Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium ripe vine tomatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick
- 16 oz. pre-sliced fresh mozzarella, I use BelGioioso
- 1 bunch fresh basil , to go in between
- ¼ cup olive oil, extra virgin
- ¼ cup balsamic glaze, more or less to taste
- ½ tsp. salt, more or less to taste
- ½ tsp. black pepper, freshly cracked
Instructions
- Sliced the tomatoes into ¼" thick slices.
- Wash the basil bunch and pick out all the leaves.
- In a platter, start by layering the tomatoes, mozzarella slices and tuck the basil leaves in between each.
- Drizzle the olive oil, balsamic glaze, and season with some salt and pepper and serve.
Notes
- If you do not have a balsamic glaze, you can make your own by simmering balsamic vinegar with honey.
- Be sure to pick a good quality olive oil because you can really taste it here since there’s only a handful of ingredients.
- I recommend making this in the summertime because that is when tomatoes and basil are in season and are the tastiest!
- You can add extra flavor by adding a couple of dollops of pesto sauce to the salad.
- Try a combination of fresh basil and fresh mint for extra flavor.
