Caprese salad is a traditional Italian salad made with alternating slices of juicy, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella. It’s topped with recent basil leaves, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and sprinkled with salt and pepper. It’s easy, recent, and considered one of my favourite summer time salad recipes.

Caprese salad (also called insalata caprese) is a traditional dish from the Italian island of Capri. It’s easy, juicy, creamy, recent, and my go-to salad every time I journey to Italy. Think about sitting in a restaurant on the Amalfi coast, gazing out on the ocean whereas having fun with a freshly made caprese salad with an . It’s probably the most excellent expertise ever.

So, I say let’s deliver that very same expertise into your kitchen and whip up this caprese salad recipe. It’s straightforward to make, mild and refreshing, and assured to be successful for all of your summer time dinner events and cookouts.

Caprese Salad Elements

Crucial factor a few caprese salad is the standard of the substances. That’s why it’s a summertime staple — when tomatoes and basil are recent and at their greatest. Right here’s what’s in it:

• Tomatoes: Splurge on the juiciest tomatoes yow will discover. Whether or not that’s natural heirloom tomatoes or plum tomatoes, simply be certain they’re ripe with no trace of inexperienced and virtually about to burst.
• Mozzarella: Once more, don’t skimp on low-cost stuff. Seize a giant ball of recent, creamy, genuine mozzarella (mozzarella di buffalo can be nice) for the right texture. You’ll normally discover it packed in water.
• Contemporary Basil: Pluck these leaves recent from the plant proper earlier than serving, if attainable. You desire a shiny inexperienced shade and a recent aroma that make you’re feeling such as you’re wandering by an Italian backyard.
• Olive Oil: I’m certain you’ve gathered the theme right here, however freshness can be essential with olive oil. Go for a superb cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil with a little bit of a chunk. It doesn’t must be costly, however it does must be good. California Olive Ranch and Lucini are two of my go-to manufacturers.
• Balsamic Vinegar: I’ll be the primary to say that balsamic vinegar shouldn’t be traditional or mandatory on caprese salad, however boy do I like it. And when it’s made right into a , it’s thick, candy, and wonderful. You’ll be able to add it or go away it off, it’s as much as you!
• Salt and Pepper: Use a flakey salt like Maldon Salt or triangular sea salt for that excellent texture. Simply don’t use desk salt. Add freshly cracked black pepper for the of completion.

Useful tip: in the event you’ve received an abundance of recent tomatoes, use them to make different Mediterranean favorites like my , , or !

Discover the printable recipe with measurements beneath

How To Make Caprese Salad

Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella. As soon as sliced, merely alternate them in layers on a plate. You’ll be able to place the layers in a vertical row or spherical them out right into a circle as I did. It’s all about presentation right here!

Add the ending touches. Layer the basil leaves in between the tomatoes and mozzarella, with a couple of child leaves on high. Then, drizzle the olive oil and balsamic discount on high, and sprinkle with salt and pepper earlier than serving. Then — cue the bottle of wine!

Extra Caprese Recipe Concepts

If you wish to get inventive, attempt these enjoyable caprese recipes! And in the event you’re in search of extra salads to entertain with, any of those or will impress. 

Initially posted July 2019, however up to date to incorporate new data.