Classic Caprese Salad

Name: Classic Caprese Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 4 pcs tomato (large, ripe, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds); 250 g fresh mozzarella (drained, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds); 16 pcs basil (large fresh leaves, washed and dried); 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional, aged preferred); 1 pinch salt (flaky sea salt preferred); 1 pinch black pepper (freshly cracked)

RATING

4.6/5(178)

TASTE SCORE

9/10

Ripe, juicy tomatoes layered with creamy fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil leaves, finished with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a splash of balsamic. This iconic Italian salad takes just 10 minutes and lets summer produce shine with every bite.

PREP

10m

COOK

SERVES

1 CUP

263 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 4 servings

4 pcstomato · large, ripe, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds250 gfresh mozzarella · drained, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds16 pcsbasil · large fresh leaves, washed and dried2 tbspextra virgin olive oil1 tbspbalsamic vinegar · optional, aged preferred1 pinchsalt · flaky sea salt preferred1 pinchblack pepper · freshly cracked

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

263

CALORIES · 1 CUP

Protein15g · 23%

Carbs7g · 11%

Fat21g · 72%

Fiber2g

Sugar4g

Saturated fat9g

Cholesterol49mg

Sodium436mg

Potassium350mg

Phosphorus253mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 4 STEPS

prep
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella.
Using a sharp chef's knife, slice tomatoes and fresh mozzarella into even 1/2-inch thick rounds. Pluck basil leaves from the stem, wash gently, and pat completely dry with a clean kitchen towel.
TIPRoom-temperature tomatoes have the best flavor — never refrigerate them.
assemble
Arrange the salad on a platter.
1.Choose a wide, flat serving platter for best presentation.
2.Alternate slices of tomato, mozzarella, and whole basil leaves in overlapping rows.
3.Tuck basil leaves between every few slices so each bite gets some.
garnish
Season and finish with olive oil.
1.Drizzle extra virgin olive oil evenly over the entire platter.
2.Scatter flaky sea salt and a few cracks of black pepper across the top.
3.If using balsamic, drizzle it lightly right before serving.
TIPDrizzle balsamic in thin ribbons, not puddles — it should accent, not drown the tomatoes.
serve
Serve immediately at room temperature.
Bring the platter to the table right away. Caprese tastes best when the tomatoes and mozzarella are at cool room temperature, not straight from the fridge.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Use tomatoes at room temperature for maximum flavor and juiciness.
2
Pat basil leaves completely dry to prevent them from wilting on the salad.
3
Slice tomatoes and mozzarella to the same 1/2-inch thickness for even bites.
4
Drizzle balsamic vinegar in thin ribbons, not puddles, so it accents the tomatoes.
5
Assemble the salad just before serving to keep the mozzarella fresh and tomatoes crisp.
6
For a make-ahead option, slice ingredients separately and assemble within 15 minutes of serving.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

Grilled Caprese

Grill the tomato and mozzarella slices for 1-2 minutes per side before assembling. This adds a smoky char that pairs beautifully with the basil and olive oil, perfect for summer barbecues.

Peach Caprese

Swap half the tomatoes with ripe peach slices. The sweet, juicy peaches complement the creamy mozzarella and basil for a refreshing twist—ideal when stone fruits are in season.

Pesto Drizzle

Replace balsamic vinegar with a dollop of fresh basil pesto (made with pine nuts and Parmesan) swirled into the olive oil. Adds a nutty, herbaceous depth perfect for pesto lovers.

High Protein Caprese

High-Protein Caprese

Add slices of grilled chicken or prosciutto between the layers. This turns the salad into a more substantial meal while keeping the classic Italian flavor profile.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Why this is on our healthy list.

✓

Rich in Lycopene

Tomatoes are a top source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart and skin health, especially when eaten with olive oil which aids absorption.

✓