Classic Caprese Salad Recipe

Why You’ll Love Caprese Salad

Simplicity at its finest. Fast, easy, and so delicious. 

Nothing represents Italian summer more than a good classic caprese salad. 

With plump sweet juicy tomatoes matched with creamy fresh mozzarella, pepped up with aromatic basil leaves and tied together simply with good quality extra virgin olive oil and sea salt, caprese salad takes only 10 minutes to make and possibly the same amount of time to devour!

What I love about the caprese salad is that you can serve it anytime during a meal. 

Try caprese salad as an appetiser, serve as a side dish with pork or add to a selection of antipasto dishes for a main meal. And when you are thinking of an afternoon aperitivo, this easy Italian salad and crusty bread work deliciously as a snack. 

Caprese salad relies on the freshest ingredients to shine therefore, the best time to make this is during the warmer months. Summertime is when tomatoes and basil can be found in abundance and of the highest quality of flavour. 

What Does Caprese Mean In A Salad?

Caprese salad (also known as insalata caprese) is originally from Capri, an island in the Bay of Naples, Italy. This is where it takes its name from. Pronounced “cah-PRAY-ze”, caprese literally means it is from Capri. 

What Goes In A Caprese Salad?

A traditional caprese salad recipe only has 3 main ingredients – tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. Seasoned simply with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

However, as time progresses, there are many variants to the classic tomato, mozzarella and basil combination. We also like to create our own twists including watermelon tomato caprese.

Adding balsamic vinegar as well as extra virgin olive oil has become so popular that many people mistake it for being in the original recipe. 

If I do use balsamic, I prefer balsamic glaze or a good quality aged balsamic vinegar for a touch of sweetness and thicker consistency. 

Another popular variation to the traditional version is switching the mozzarella cheese. Typically fresh mozzarella is added to caprese salad but you can also switch to bocconcini just like our strawberry caprese version or serve a burrata caprese.  

What Salad Dressing To Use For Caprese Salad?

There is no real salad dressing for caprese salad. Extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper are enough to add flavour to the mozzarella, tomato and basil salad. The tomato juices help add sweetness. 

If you would like a little more tart flavours, our balsamic vinaigrette is a great addition or basil mint dressing for extra oomph. 

Best Tomatoes For Caprese Salad?

Typically speaking, I would go for heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes for a caprese salad. However, I do believe it is a personal choice which tomatoes to use in a caprese salad. 

Regardless of the variety used, make sure the tomatoes are fresh and of good quality. An unripe or a tomato not in season will ruin your experience with a caprese salad. 

Spend a bit more for the best tomatoes because it is totally worth it.

Ingredients

These are the ingredients you need for caprese salad:

• Tomatoes: Select quality plump tomatoes. Heirloom, beefsteak, tomatoes on a vine, whatever you like or that is in season at the time. For a tossed caprese salad recipe, can also add cherry tomatoes.  

• Mozzarella: I typically use buffalo mozzarella in a caprese salad which is also known as fresh mozzarella in some places. I love the creaminess of buffalo mozzarella and because I can slice into thick slices. Depending on the size of your cheese, you may need more than 2 mozzarella balls. 

• Basil: Nothing beats the smell of fresh basil. The aromatic aniseed flavours are a perfect match for a caprese salad. Do not need to cut the basil leaves. Leave whole or gentle tear into small pieces. 

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A high quality, sharp extra virgin olive oil plays an important role in this recipe. 

• Salt and Pepper: Good quality sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper help enhance the sweetness of tomatoes.

Variations and Substitutions

Vegan option: Substitute fresh mozzarella for your favourite vegan mozzarella brand.

Dressing variations: Balsamic vinegar or glaze is a popular variation of the original recipe. Pesto is also another delicious option.

Substitution for mozzarella: If you can’t find fresh mozzarella, try bocconcini which is baby-sized fresh mozzarella balls or switch to burrata for a creamier lush form of mozzarella. You can also use fior di latte in place of fresh mozzarella. 

Additional ingredients: The tomato mozzarella and basil combination can serve as a base for many other ingredients. Create your own twists with grilled peach, watermelon, strawberries, avocado, arugula or spinach leaves. 

Instructions

Step by step instructions for how to make Caprese Salad:

How to Make the Salad

Slice tomatoes into large round slices.

Pat dry fresh mozzarella after taking out from whey. Slice into thick large rounds. 

If there is still extra moisture from the cheese slices, pat dry again with paper towel.

How to Assemble the Salad

Caprese salad is usually arranged on a plate with alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella and then basil leaves scattered in between. You can also make a tossed caprese salad but I prefer to arrange it on a platter. 

On a large plate, layer alternating slices of tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

Scatter basil leaves in between the slices of tomato and mozzarella. 

Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper to serve. 

Great Mains for This Salad

What to serve with classic caprese salad? Try these delicious main dish recipes:

A classic caprese salad deserves a good Italian main to keep it company. This simple eggplant parmigiana or warm and toasty zuppa Toscana with sausage, potatoes, and bacon would work really well.

For a heartier meal, you can impress your family and friends with this chicken puttanesca recipe with Calabrian chiles. 

Frequently Asked Questions

This might be one of the most simple salad recipes you can make, but with the freshest ingredients, caprese salad will outshine many complicated combinations.

Classic flavour pairings of tomato, mozzarella and basil together will not disappoint any summer BBQ or picnic gathering you have.