Caprese Salad (Tomato and Mozzarella Salad)

This tomato and mozzarella salad is one of my favourite and most simple salads to make. Minimal prep time, but so delicious. The ingredients used for Caprese salad are fresh and full of flavour, perfect all year round, from summer to winter.

Juicy fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and sweet fresh basil leaves. Beautifully layered and drizzled with olive oil and a balsamic vinegar glaze for extra flavour.

Caprese salad is perfect for a starter, light lunch, dinner or a side dish.

In this blog post, we will show you how to make this tasty salad in your own kitchen. So, let's get started. Jump straight to the recipe card or continue reading for more information.

Jump to:

• History
• Ingredients
• Equipment
• Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• 📖 Step by Step Recipe
• Storage
• More Salad Recipes
• 💬 Reviews

History

Caprese salad, or insalata caprese in Italian, is an Italian salad made from slices of tomato, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil. This simple yet delicious combination is thought to have originated on the Island of Capri off the coast of southern Italy.

The three key ingredients represent the colours of the Italian flag and serve as a reminder of this country's vibrant culture.

Commonly served as an appetizer or side dish, this absolutely delicious tomato mozzarella salad is sure to be a hit salad recipe at any gathering!

Ingredients

This section shows how to make this tomato and mozzarella salad, with some photos and details about the technique. For full instructions with pictures, including measurements.

Jump straight to the printable recipe card.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a creamy mild flavourful cheese that is commonly used in Italian cuisine. We find the best mozzarella to use for a caprese salad is the Galbani Mozzarella Maxi, uou can find it in most UK supermarkets.

Formed in a cylindrical shape and boasting an easily malleable texture, this mozzarella log can be sliced into perfectly uniform slices with relative ease.

Tomatoes

For a visually stunning presentation of your tomato and mozzarella salad, use the cheese's width as a guide to picking tomatoes in a similar size. Go for salad tomatoes as these are fairly large and hold their shape well.

This will help ensure that the caprese salad slices are evenly sized for easy layering. An alternative of this perfect combination is to use similar size grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella balls instead.

Basil Leaves

Basil leaves are the perfect bright and fresh contrast to the rich creaminess of mozzarella and sweet tomato. It makes for an amazing flavour combination.

If you can get your hands on some fresh basil from the supermarket or farmer's market. Or try growing your own.

Next the salad dressing ingredients you will need are:

Olive Oil

For best results, use extra virgin olive oil in this caprese salad recipe. This type of oil has the best flavour and aroma, and a fantastic ability to enrich the dish with its rich Italian flavour.

If you only have regular olive oil, no worries; it will still taste great.

Balsamic Glaze

For extra flavour and a beautiful presentation, finish off your tomato and mozzarella salad with a balsamic glaze. This sweet yet tart syrup-like condiment made from balsamic vinegar is the perfect finishing touch to any caprese salad. Make sure to use balsamic glaze, not balsamic vinegar.

You can even make your own dressing easily. To make a balsamic reduction, in a small saucepan add balsamic vinegar (adding sugar, sweetener or honey for extra sweetness) and cook over medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, once it has reduced by half and turned into a thicker glaze texture remove from heat and allow to cool before using.

Salt & Black Pepper

Finally, be sure to season the basil tomato mozzarella salad with a sprinkle of salt and pepper before serving it up! Just a pinch of each is all you need.

And there you have it - the perfect Caprese salad! Serve it up as an appetizer or side dish, and watch your friends and family enjoy such an exquisite dish that is both uncomplicated and visually appealing.

Optional Extra

If you want to add some extra ingredients to this tomato and mozzarella salad, here are some ideas to try.

• Red onion
• Olives
• Roasted peppers
• Rocket leaves
• Sliced Avocados
• Garlic Infused Oil

Equipment

All you will need to make a tomato, mozzarella and basil salad is a kitchen knife and a serving dish we used a dinner plate.

Instructions

Prepare a delicious caprese salad with this easy recipe see full instructions with pictures, including measurements here, or read on.

Prepare

Drain the fresh mozzarella before patting it dry and slice it into ¼ inch thick. Cut the fresh tomatoes into similarly sized slices.

Layers

Now arrange tomato and mozzarella slices in alternating layers around a round dinner plate.

Add some fresh basil leaves. If not serving the salad straight away. Cover and store in the fridge, before adding the salad dressing.

Salad Dressing

When ready to serve the tomato mozzarella salad, drizzle olive oil and balsamic reduction over the salad before seasoning it with salt and black pepper.

Serving Suggestions

Caprese salad is a perfect addition to any meal or event. It's so versatile that it can be served as a starter, main course, side dish, part of a buffet or family BBQ.

Main

Serving caprese salad as a main dish is an excellent way to enjoy this classic Italian dish. Serve it alongside some dough balls, crusty bread or garlic pizza bread for an added bit of crunchy texture.

Side Dish

This tomato mozzarella salad is an incredibly versatile side dish and pairs perfectly with so many Italian classics.

From spaghetti bolognese and meatball pasta to Italian chicken drumsticks, pasta alla norma, or parmesan chicken, this salad adds a flavorful punch to any meal.

Party Food

Caprese salad is a great addition for any party food buffet or family BBQ.

Making this with cherry tomato and mozzarella balls with a drizzle of balsamic reduction and olive oil makes great finger food for parties.

Other Party Food Ideas

Thanks to the healthy combination of ingredients, this light salad won't leave your guests full so they can indulge in all the other delicious food you serve alongside it.

Starter/Appetizer

Serve this tomato mozzarella salad as a fresh light starter to a multi-course meal. You could make mini plates of starter size portions.

Pair your tomato mozzarella salad with your favourite type of pasta or pizza for the ultimate flavors combo!

📖 Step by Step Recipe

Storage

If you’re making the salad ahead of time, store it in the fridge for up to 4 hours before serving.

Make sure to cover it with plastic wrap or in an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent any moisture from entering.

More Salad Recipes

This simple yet flavorful dish is popular among salad cuisine enthusiasts. Here are some more of our favourite salads.

This tomato mozzarella salad is a classic Italian dish that adds a great flavor element to any meal using only a few ingredients it is so simple and easy. We hope you enjoy it and come back to check our latest recipes!