Caprese Salad

Are you looking for meals that are not only delicious but also refreshing and vibrant? Meet the Caprese salad, a timeless Italian creation that effortlessly embodies freshness, flavor, and simplicity.

With its striking colors and the harmonious marriage of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, this salad is sure to become a fast favorite in your home.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a new home cook, this quick and easy Caprese salad recipe will impress even the pickiest of eaters. So put on your apron and get ready as we travel to the land of pasta and wine to learn how to craft a classic Caprese salad.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This Caprese salad recipe works because of its ease, versatility, and adaptability.

One of the key strengths of this Caprese salad recipe lies in its simplicity. A quick and easy dish this Calrese salad features a minimalistic ingredient list of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a zesty citrus vinaigrette. This simplicity ensures a speedy preparation process, making it ideal for a busy day or last-minute gathering.

Another element that sets this recipe apart is its versatility. While a classic Caprese salad relies on ripe Roma or heirloom tomatoes, you can easily adapt this to your liking. Whether you prefer cherry or grape tomatoes or if you'd rather explore substitutes like mushrooms, avocados, or bell peppers, the recipe encourages creativity and personalization allowing you to cater to specific tastes or dietary needs.

Speaking of dietary needs, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. For those following a vegan diet, you are given a variety of suggestions for vegan-friendly cheese alternatives like tofu, vegan mozzarella, cashew cheese, or avocado. Additionally,  you can swap out the citrus vinaigrette for various dressings or drizzles, ensuring that the salad accommodates different dietary requirements and taste preferences.

Ingredients

Tomato:

The best tomato to use when making a Caprese salad is a fresh, ripe tomato. That above all else is important, so if you can find them ripe and in season, Roma and heirloom tomatoes are the classic choice for their sweetness and acidity. Campari, cherry, and grape tomatoes are also excellent options as they offer a burst of sweetness and a convenient bite-sized shape. If you want to make it without tomatoes altogether, mushrooms, avocados, eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and cucumber are all tasty substitutions to experiment with.

Mozzarella:

A Caprese salad is best made using fresh mozzarella that comes in a ball or log shape and is often labeled as "mozzarella di bufala" or "fior di latte." It has a soft, creamy texture and a mild, milky flavor that perfectly complements the sweet tomatoes and the aromatic basil. If you cannot find fresh mozzarella, you can substitute it with other types of cheese, such as burrata or bocconcini because they share a similar creamy texture.

Basil:

Any kind of basil that is fresh can be used in your Caprese salad. When layering whole basil leaves between the tomato and mozzarella slices, tear them slightly to release their aroma and flavor.

Olive Oil:

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality and least processed form of olive oil, known for its rich, fruity, and robust flavor profile. It's this distinctive flavor that will elevate your Caprese salad. Look for olive oil with a fresh, fruity aroma and a deep green or golden hue. This speaks to the fact that high-quality, fresh olives were used in the making.

Citrus:

While this recipe has you create a citrus vinegarette, you can absolutely use a variety of different drizzles or dressings in its place. A balsamic reduction is typically used in the making of a classic Caprese salad. However, you can also drizzle some honey, lemon, pesto, or any kind of vinegarette dressing you like.

Seasonings:

While a classic Caprese uses little more than salt and pepper, you can get creative with this recipe and include any seasonings you like. Garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, thyme rosemary, and lemon zest all make excellent additions to this Caprese salad recipe.

How to Make a Caprese Salad

Step One: 

Combine lemon juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, olive oil, one teaspoon of salt, and one teaspoon of pepper in a bowl. Stir to incorporate and set aside.

Step Two: 

Slice your mozzarella ball into uniform-sized pieces.

Step Three: 

Similarly, slice your tomato.

Step Four:

Lay your tomato and mozzarella on a plate in a circular fashion, alternating between the two.

Step Five: 

Layer your basil leaves in as well.

Step Six: 

Top with citrus vinegarette and remaining salt and pepper to taste, serve, and enjoy!

Tips

• Since this Caprese salad recipe relies on a few simple ingredients, the quality of those ingredients makes a big difference. Invest in good-quality olive oil, fresh basil, and ripe tomatoes.
• While the classic Caprese salad is simple, you can experiment with various ingredients. Try using different types of tomatoes, adding avocado slices, or incorporating a pistachio pesto drizzle. You can even sprinkle honey, pine nuts, capers, or olives for a unique twist.
• Add salt and pepper to taste, but remember that the other ingredients already provide plenty of flavor.

What to Serve With Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. To create a well-rounded meal, you could try serving it with crusty garlic bread for a satisfying contrast in textures. You can also pair your Caprese salad with a simple pasta dish like fettuccini alfredo or spaghetti in a white wine sauce.  A light pasta salad or chicken pesto sandwich also pairs well with a Caprese salad for a Mediterranean-themed meal.

Looking for more? Check out What To Serve With Caprese Salad for 20 delicious ideas.

FAQs

Can I make my Caprese salad vegan?

You can absolutely remove the fresh mozzarella and swap it for something more vegan-friendly. Vegan mozzarella, cashew cheese, tofu, and avocado all make excellent substitutions.

How can I make a Caprese salad more filling for a main course?

To create a more fulfilling Caprese salad, you can incorporate grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu, roasted eggplant, peppers, or zucchini, toasted chickpeas, avocado slices, and quinoa all make hearty additions to this salad.

Can I make a Caprese salad ahead of time?

The basil will begin to wilt quite quickly, especially once it has been dressed so it's best to make it as close to serving as possible. To help save some time, you can prepare the ingredients in advance and keep them refrigerated until it's time to assemble the salad.

How can I best store caprese salad leftovers and how long does it stay fresh?

Refrigerate your caprese salad in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap or foil, ensuring the wrap touches the surface of the salad to minimize air exposure. Ideally, you'll want to store the salad components separately, especially the basil leaves, to prevent wilting and maintain freshness. Leftover Caprese salad can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days, but it's best enjoyed within the first 24 hours to retain the optimal texture and flavor.

More Salad Recipes

If you love a salad but need some inspiration to avoid feeling wilted, check out this collection of salad recipes to change up your lunch or side dish game.

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Taco Salad

Garden Salad

Salad Nicoise

Southwest Salad Dressing