• Appetizers + Snacks | Salads | Side Dishes
  • Caprese Salad

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    This classic Italian Caprese salad is topped with a homemade balsamic glaze for a fresh, flavorful, and vibrant appetizer or side dish. Simple and quick to make, it’s a classic for a reason!

    shot from above of tomato mozzarella salad with basil on a white plate

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    A good Caprese salad should never be understated, just great ingredients combined together to create the perfect bite. Juicy and sweet-smelling heirloom tomatoes and high-quality mozzarella are the stars of this dish. Creamy mozzarella balances out the acidity of the tomatoes and balsamic and basil leaves add a herby freshness.

    This tomato mozzarella Caprese salad can be served as an appetizer or side dish and it’s ready to serve in less than 10 minutes. If you are looking for more tasty salads, be sure to check out my Strawberry Spinach Salad and Chef Salad.

    close up of caprese salad recipe with balsamic glaze

    Caprese Salad Ingredients

    • Mozzarella: Use a fresh mozzarella ball for this recipe. I like to use buffalo mozzarella which is rich and creamy.
    • Tomatoes: Use vine ripe or garden-fresh tomatoes for the best flavor.
    • Basil: Fresh basil leaves add color and subtle fresh sweetness to the salad.
    • Olive Oil: I like to drizzle over a little extra virgin olive oil for flavor.
    • Balsamic glaze: It’s really easy to make your own balsamic reduction and adds a wonderfully sweet and tangy flavor to the finished dish.
    • Salt and pepper: For seasoning.
    caprese salad ingredients on a plate

    How to Make Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze

    • Alternate a slice of tomato and a slice of mozzarella on a large plate, and keep alternating until you’ve used up all the ingredients.
    • Place fresh basil leaves in between the layers.
    • Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic glaze on top of the layered tomatoes and mozzarella.
    • Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.
    class caprese salad - insalata caprese on a white plate and with forks

    What is Caprese Salad?

    Caprese is an Italian salad (Italian: Insalata Caprese, meaning salad in the manner of Capri) and it features the colors of the country’s flag; red, green, and white. There is a belief that this mozzarella basil and tomato salad was created as a symbol of the Italian flag. Traditionally, it is made with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil and drizzled with olive oil, but the balsamic makes a wonderful addition. You can also add other ingredients if you like such as arugula or sliced avocado.

    If you like the flavors of this tomato Caprese salad recipe, be sure to check out my Grilled Chicken Caprese.

    Can you make it ahead of time?

    This tomato basil mozzarella salad is best served fresh as soon as it is plated, and luckily it doesn’t take long to make! If you are in a pinch with time, you can plate the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil and cover them with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator a couple of hours before serving. Drizzle over the balsamic glaze just before serving.

    layered caprese salad on a white plate and gray board

    What to serve with Caprese Salad?

    I like to serve this Caprese salad by itself as an appetizer, and maybe with a little crusty bread. It works great as a side dish with grilled chicken, fish, or steak. Try it with:

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    • You can make your own balsamic glaze or use a store-bought version.
    • You can add in extras like sliced avocados or even mix in some fresh pesto for more basil flavor.
    • Make sure that your tomatoes are ripe for the sweetest and boldest flavors.
    • Use a sharp knife for best results and evenly cut slices.
    • Cut the mozzarella and tomatoes into similarly sized slices so that it is well balanced.
    • Add the balsamic glaze just before serving.
    tomato mozzarella caprese salad on a plate with basil and forks in the background

    More Easy Salad Recipes

    shot from above of tomato mozzarella salad with basil on a white plate
    5 from 5 votes
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    Caprese Salad

    This classic Italian caprese salad is topped with a homemade balsamic glaze for a fresh, flavorful and vibrant appetizer or side dish. Simple and quick to make, it's a classic for a reason!
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 389kcal

    Email Me This Recipe

    Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

    Save Post

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    INGREDIENTS

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Alternate a slice of tomato and a slice of mozzarella on a large plate, and keep alternating until you’ve used up all the ingredients.
    • Place fresh basil leaves in between the layers.
    • Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic glaze on top of the layered tomatoes and mozzarella.
    • Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.

    TIPS & NOTES

    • Make sure that your tomatoes are ripe for the sweetest and boldest flavors.
    • Use a sharp knife for best results and evenly cut slices.
    • Cut the mozzarella and tomatoes into similarly sized slices so that it is well balanced.
    • Add the balsamic glaze just before serving.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 389kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 721mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1332IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 579mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine Italian
    Keyword caprese salad, caprese salad with balsamic, how to make a caprese salad
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    Comments

    Beth

    5 stars
    My hubby is going to love this recipe! So excited to give this a try! Looks wonderful and tasty!

    Carrie Robinson

    5 stars
    This is one of my absolute favorite salads to make during the summertime! 🙂

    Tara

    5 stars
    What a light and refreshing salad! It has all of my favorite flavors. Sounds wonderful paired with the shrimp skewers. Yum!

    Michelle Boule

    5 stars
    This looks absolutely delicious and I can imagine summer just by looking at these photos!

    veenaazmanov

    5 stars
    Looks refreshing, fresh and juicy. Love the colorful presentation too.

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