Let your taste buds “rome” the streets of Italy with our traditional Caprese Salad recipe — ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil are all dressed in a simple yet delightful blend of extra virgin olive oil and seasonings.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Yields: 2 servings
There’s something magical about Italian food; it’s almost as though you can hear the lilting sounds of laughter from the local piazza with every bite. Take this Caprese Salad, for example. It’s a simple yet timeless recipe that totally reflects the culture that produced it.
This no-frills salad features ripe tomatoes that pop with the red of rubies; fresh, creamy mozzarella that’s as white as a first snowfall; and basil as green as an emerald. Yeah, it’s pretty much the Italian flag on a plate.
It reminds me of my all-time faves, Greek salad, classic Ratatouille, and my own Italian chopped salad. What do they all have in common? They prove you don’t need anything fancy to win over your taste buds. As long as you use fresh, honest ingredients, your dish will be sure to please.
Ingredients
A simple list, you should have no problems procuring these ingredients. The capers, by the way, are optional. They’re a part of a traditional caprese salad but if you’re not a fan you can exclude them.
- 2 cups ripe beef tomatoes, sliced
- 1 ball fresh mozzarella, sliced
- fresh basil leaves
- extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and black pepper
- dried oregano
- 1 tbsp capers
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Plate the sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
- Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the ingredients and season with salt and black pepper.
- Top the salad with dried oregano and capers. Enjoy as an appetizer or snack.
Tips & Tricks
- Choose ripe, juicy, and flavorful tomatoes. I mention beef tomatoes above, but that doesn’t mean you have to use them too. Some people prefer smaller tomatoes — grape or cherry — because they’re nice and shiny, bursting with juices and a bit sweeter.
- Select mozzarella made from buffalo milk or cow’s milk. Buffalo — formaggio di bufala, in Italian — is the best pick you can make.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Drizzle it generously over the tomatoes and mozzarella. Dipping each mouthful into the oil is one of life’s simple pleasures.
Serving Suggestions
A traditional caprese salad can be served as a standalone light meal, especially on a hot summer day when you’re in the mood for something fresh and invigorating. It makes a great appetizer and would complement a pasta dish or a robust Italian entrée like lasagna or even my one-skillet pizza pasta. Or you can pair it with a lighter entrée like grilled fish or chicken, adding much-needed freshness to the smoky, robust flavors.
FAQs
Basil is the classic but you can try fresh mint leaves or fresh oregano to add different flavors.
Traditionally, beef tomatoes have been the go-to due to their huge flavor and meaty feel, but there’s no rule that says you have to use them. If you prefer heirlooms, for instance, go with them. Sweet cherry tomatoes, meanwhile, can bring in a fresher vibe to your salad.
Fresh, always fresh! With mozzarella, you want that super delicate flavor and creamy texture that partners up brilliantly with the ripe tomatoes and fragrant leaves of basil. Steer clear of pre-shredded mozzarella, they usually have anti-caking stuff added to them that can ruin the texture and taste of the salad.
Yes, this caprese salad is gluten-free. It contains only tomatoes, cheese, basil, and olive oil. If you want to add ingredients like croutons, make sure they are made from gluten-free bread.
Variations
- Add sliced avocados to the traditional caprese salad for a creamy twist or a drizzle of balsamic reduction for a pop of flavor. Then top the salad with croutons (or cubes of toasted bread) for a nice crunch.
- Want to serve this up as an entrée but you’re worried it might not be sufficient? Add some proteins like grilled chicken slices.
- Want an even more refreshing option? Add grilled peaches or watermelon for a quirky touch OR instead of just adding the fruit, you can use them instead of the tomatoes.
Make Ahead and How to Store a Caprese Salad
You can slice your tomatoes and cheese ahead of time but hold off on putting everything together until right before you’re ready to serve. Tomatoes release juice over time, so to keep your salad fresh, assemble just before you’re ready to dig in.
If you have leftovers, carefully pack them up in a sealed box and store it in your fridge. Don’t leave it there too long though – make it lunch tomorrow. But make sure to take it out a couple of hours ahead of time so that it reaches room temperature before digging in. Trust me, it’s totally worth the wait.
Oh, and don’t freeze the salad nor warm it up. Freezing it will ruin its texture and warming it up is unnecessary as it’s best eaten cold.
Traditional Caprese Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups ripe beef tomatoes sliced
- 1 ball fresh mozzarella sliced
- fresh basil leaves
- extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and black pepper
- dried oregano
- 1 tbsp capers
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Plate the sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
- Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the ingredients and season with salt and black pepper.
- Top the salad with dried oregano and capers. Enjoy as an appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Add sliced avocados to the traditional caprese salad for a creamy twist or a drizzle of balsamic reduction for a pop of flavor. Then top the salad with croutons (or cubes of toasted bread) for a nice crunch.
- Want to serve this up as an entrée but you’re worried it might not be sufficient? Add some proteins like grilled chicken slices.
- Summertime calling? Want an even more refreshing option? Add grilled peaches or watermelon for a quirky touch OR instead of adding the fruit, replace the tomatoes with them.
Nutrition
