Caprese Salad (2024)

Published: Aug 11, 2022 · Modified: Apr 5, 2023 by Tonia Larson

Flavorful Caprese Salad is made with ripe tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, and fresh basil. It can be served as an appetizer or as a side dish.

Caprese salad is a simple Italian recipe that is the colors of their flag. The classic salad has only olive oil on top, but adding a balsamic glaze has become a popular variation.

Caprese Salad Ingredients

There are only a few ingredients in Caprese salad, so choose the best ones you can get.

• Tomatoes: We used tomatoes that were about the same size as the mozzarella we bought, but you can use any kind of tomatoes, so go with your favorite ripe ones! If you prefer to make this salad in a bowl, choose grape or cherry tomatoes.
• Mozzarella Cheese: For this salad, you’ll need fresh, soft mozzarella cheese, which you can find near the deli area of the grocery store. To make this salad in a bowl, you can use mozzarella pearls.
• Basil: We added basil leaves as well as sliced basil to this salad so that every bite gets a little basil!
• Olive Oil: Choose a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor!
• Spices: Season this salad with coarse salt and coarse ground black pepper.
• Balsamic Glaze: The balsamic glaze is optional, it is not part of the classic salad, but it adds additional flavor if you choose to use it.

How To Make A Caprese Salad

A Caprese salad is ready in minutes! All you need to do is simply slice, assemble, and garnish.

• Prep: Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into evenly thick slices and then cut the basil into thin strips.
• Assembly: Arrange the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a platter. See the FAQs below for additional options.
• Garnish: Drizzle the olive oil over the salad, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, and finish with a balsamic glaze, if desired.

Caprese Salad Frequently Asked Questions

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