Caprese Salad
- Nikita Alvegaard-Struble
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 23
An Easy and Elegant Summer Classic
When the temperature climbs and you’re craving something light, fresh, and beautiful, few dishes deliver quite like a classic Caprese Salad. Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and a simple drizzle of balsamic and olive oil come together in perfect harmony.
This salad is more than just a side dish. It’s a celebration of summer’s best flavors; vibrant, simple, and effortlessly elegant. Whether you're planning a casual lunch or a dinner party starter, Caprese Salad fits in anywhere and takes just minutes to put together.
Why You'll Love This Salad
No cooking required
All you need is a knife and a platter. No oven, no stove, and no stress.
Fresh and flavorful
The ingredients shine on their own. This is the kind of dish where quality matters, and each bite delivers bold flavor with very little effort.
Perfect for entertaining
Its beautiful presentation and fresh taste make it ideal for serving guests, especially during warm weather months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients to make this salad stand out:
Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
Mozzarella balls, such as bocconcini or ciliegine
Fresh basil leaves, whole or torn
Balsamic glaze
Olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
If you prefer a more traditional look, you can use large tomatoes and slice them alongside slices of fresh mozzarella. For something quicker and more bite-sized, stick with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls.
How to Make Caprese Salad
Step 1: Prep your ingredients
Rinse the cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. Drain the mozzarella balls. If the tomatoes are larger, cut them in half for easier eating and better presentation.
Step 2: Arrange on a platter
On a large plate or shallow serving dish, scatter the tomatoes and mozzarella evenly. Tuck basil leaves throughout the dish. You can keep them whole or tear them if they’re large.
Feel free to arrange everything in neat rows, a circular pattern, or a rustic scattered look. There’s no wrong way here—just aim for balance and color.
Step 3: Dress it up
Drizzle the entire salad lightly with extra virgin olive oil. Follow with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Start conservatively—you can always add more if needed.
Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper.
Step 4: Serve
This salad is best served fresh, either slightly chilled or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats, fresh bread, pasta dishes, or a glass of chilled white wine.
Variations to Try
Caprese Salad is endlessly adaptable. Here are a few ideas if you want to mix it up:
Add avocado
Creamy avocado adds richness and a pop of color.
Use heirloom tomatoes
Different colors and shapes bring more visual interest and flavor variety.
Try marinated mozzarella
Use mozzarella that’s been marinated in herbs or garlic oil for extra flavor.
Make it a meal
Add grilled chicken, white beans, or crusty bread to turn it into a more filling dish.
When to Serve Caprese Salad
This salad shines during the warmer months, but it’s a year-round classic if you can get flavorful tomatoes. Try it as:
A light lunch
A starter for a dinner party
A side for grilled meats or seafood
A picnic or potluck option
It comes together in under 10 minutes and always looks beautiful on the table.
Recipe Card | Caprese Salad
Servings: 4 to 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
Cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes), halved if large
Mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained
Fresh basil leaves
Olive oil
Balsamic glaze
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
Prep
Rinse tomatoes and basil. Drain mozzarella. Cut tomatoes in half if needed.
Assemble
Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter. Tuck in fresh basil leaves.
Dress
Drizzle lightly with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Serve
Enjoy immediately, either chilled or at room temperature.
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