Nothing beats a classic Tomato Caprese Salad, especially in summer when beef tomatoes are at their sweetest and ripest.
This simple, elegant salad easily feeds a crowd and is perfect for family dinners, lunch, barbecues, or special occasions.
Like my cucumber tomato salad, it’s a go-to dish you can serve anywhere — it’s always a hit.
All you need are firm, ripe tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and bright basil leaves. Use the best-quality ingredients you can find and let their flavors shine.
Dress the salad with a mild extra virgin olive oil, a drizzle of balsamic glaze (or balsamic vinegar), and finish with sea salt and black pepper. Serve as an appetizer or a side.
Recipe Tip
Serve with crispy crostini for a simple, make-your-own bruschetta option.
❤️Why You’ll Love This Tomato Caprese
- Made with just a few fresh ingredients.
- A visually striking, beautiful side dish.
- Simple and versatile — pairs well with most mains.
- Perfect for both casual meals and elegant dinner parties.
Tomato Caprese Salad Ingredients
Please scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements and full details.
- Fresh mozzarella: Use creamy mozzarella balls or slices. Pat them dry on paper towels for a few minutes if needed.
- Beef tomatoes: Choose sweet, ripe, firm tomatoes for the best texture and flavor.
- Fresh basil: Adds bright, aromatic freshness and a pop of green color.
- Olive oil: A mild extra virgin olive oil works best so it doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
- Balsamic glaze: Provides tangy sweetness; you can substitute balsamic vinegar if you prefer.
- Seasoning: Flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
How to Make Tomato Caprese Salad
- Prepare ingredients: Slice the fresh mozzarella and tomatoes thinly.
- Arrange: Alternate tomato and mozzarella slices on a round platter, tucking basil leaves between the layers or scattering them on top. Create a spiral or concentric pattern for a pretty presentation.
- Make the dressing: Whisk olive oil with balsamic glaze (or drizzle balsamic vinegar) in a small bowl.
- Dress and season: Drizzle the dressing over the arranged salad, then finish with flaky sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve immediately, or keep undressed for a few hours and dress just before serving to prevent sogginess.
Possible Variations
- Mozzarella: Try smoked mozzarella, marinated cheese, or bite-sized bocconcini for a different texture and flavor.
- Tomatoes: Use heirloom, vine, cherry, or grape tomatoes depending on what’s available. For a fruit-forward twist, substitute nectarines, peaches, figs, or pears.
- Presentation: Arrange the ingredients on a rectangular board in rows instead of a circular platter for a modern look.
- Dressing: Replace olive oil and balsamic with a basil or parsley pesto, or make a honey-balsamic vinaigrette for added sweetness.
- Add-ins: Add sliced avocado, cucumber, chopped pistachios, toasted pine nuts, or croutons for extra texture and flavor.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 1–2 days. If possible, keep dressing separate and add it just before serving to preserve texture.
FAQs
Yes — you can assemble it a few hours ahead, but wait to dress and season it until just before serving. Pat the mozzarella dry if it releases excess liquid.
Yes. Traditional Caprese is simply dressed with olive oil and salt; the balsamic glaze is an optional addition for extra sweetness and acidity.
Serve it on its own as a light lunch or as a side. It also works well on crostini or toast as a flavorful bruschetta topping.
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Tomato Caprese Salad
Rate
Ingredients
- 4 mozzarella balls, fresh
- 5 beef tomatoes
- fresh basil leaves, to garnish
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- sea salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Slice the mozzarella and tomatoes thinly.
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Arrange tomato and cheese alternately on a round platter, tucking basil leaves between slices to form a spiral or concentric pattern.
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Whisk the olive oil and balsamic glaze together in a small bowl.
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Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad.
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Finish with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
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Serve immediately and enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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