Foodanddrink

Caprese salad

To Simply Inspire · Jul 16, 2026 21:18 · 3 min read

This Caprese salad is fresh, simple, and full of classic Italian flavors. It's the kind of easy recipe that always feels a little special. It's a perfect for summer get-togethers, light meal, or as a beautiful side dish with dinner. The Best Italian Caprese Salad Having salads like this with such simple fresh ingredients is... Read More

Slices of tomato, mozzarella, and basil leaves are arranged on a plate, drizzled with balsamic glaze.

The Best Italian Caprese Salad

Having salads like this with such simple fresh ingredients is the best! This is one of my favorite summer salads and it gets made weekly when I can get fresh tomatoes, like Heirloom tomatoes, from the farmers market.

A wonderful alternative to this classic Italian salad is to slice cherry tomatoes (or even grape tomatoes), use small mozzarella balls, chopped fresh basil and toss it all in our homemade balsamic dressing or your favorite store-bought balsamic dressing. You can also make your own balsamic reduction by heating ½ cup of balsamic vinegar and a tablespoon or 2 of honey over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often.

I have a thing for Caprese anything. If you do too, be sure to make this Caprese stuffed chicken or this Caprese pasta salad.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The complete list of ingredients with amounts are listed in the full recipe card below.

A bottle of balsamic glaze, four tomatoes, a bunch of fresh basil, and two balls of fresh mozzarella are arranged on a white surface.

Tomatoes – The best tomatoes are fresh and ripe. Slice them thin and evenly.
Fresh mozzarella cheese – Slice into thin pieces. Pat the cheese dry with a paper towel before slicing. You can also swap this for burrata cheese.
Fresh basil leaves – I use the whole basil leaves but you can chop them and sprinkle them all around as well.
Balsamic glaze – I love Trader Joes’s brand. Drizzle over the top of everything. You can also just use a quality estra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar or even our homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Olive oil – optional
Sea salt and pepper – optional

How to Make This Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Step 1: Wash and slice the tomatoes into thin, even slices.

Sliced tomatoes on a wooden board, sliced mozzarella on a plate, basil leaves, and a bottle of balsamic glaze on a white surface.

Step 2: Slice the fresh mozzarella into thin, even slices as well.

Step 3: On a serving platter or plate, layer slices of tomato, mozzarella, and a basil leaf, then continue alternating them in a row or circle until the platter is filled.

Step 4: Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Step 5: Add a little olive oil if desired, then salt and black pepper to taste if you'd like.

Step 6: Serve immediately while everything is fresh and chilled.

If you love this caprese salad, make these other easy salad recipes next:

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Easy Caprese Salad

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 188kcal

Author Sherri Hagymas

Ingredients

4 medium tomatoes sliced
16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
1 cup fresh basil leaves whole
2-3 tablespoons balsamic glaze optional
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Slice tomatoes into thin slices.
4 medium tomatoes
Slice mozzarella into thin slices.
16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
On a serving plate, place a slice of tomato, mozzarella and a basil leaf and continue alternating in a row or circle.
1 cup fresh basil leaves
Drizzle with balsamic glaze and a little olive oil, if desired.
2-3 tablespoons balsamic glaze