This classic Caprese salad will have you falling in love with its vibrant colors and delicious flavors. It's quick and easy to make, only calls for three main ingredients, and is the perfect recipe idea for date nights, summer celebrations, or even busy weeknights when time is of the essence.
Why choose Caprese salad?
There are many reasons why Caprese salad is an excellent choice. It's a healthy serving of history and culture that is very easy to prepare, colorful, and delicious.
If you want to create a summer vibe or need healthy meal options for summertime occasions, then this dish is an excellent idea.
Caprese salad is very colorful thanks to the rich variation of red provided by tomatoes. The splash of white added by the mozzarella cheese and the fresh green leaves of the basil blend well together and pop with the vibrant tomatoes.
This salad is perfect for cheese lovers and is one of those recipes that you can use to help picky eaters to increase their vegetable intake.
You can add this classic Caprese salad to your list of quick and easy recipes that you can put together for busy weeknights or when you need something healthy and delicious in a jiffy.
Ingredients used to make Caprese salad
The list of ingredients you need to make caprese salad is very short. Once you have your ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves, you are good to go. The other ingredients make the difference between a simple Caprese and a classic Caprese salad.
Ripe tomatoes
Fresh mozzarella
Fresh basil leaves
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Black pepper
Balsamic glaze
Ingredient notes for Caprese salad
Ripe tomatoes
Vibrantly colored tomatoes that are firm are best for this recipe. The firmer your tomatoes, the easier they will be to slice and the less juice there will be to make your salad go soggy. You may choose a selection of tomatoes that will give you a wide range of colors and textures in your salad.
Fresh mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella is key to a perfect Caprese salad.
Basil leaves
Fresh basil leaves add the bright pop of green to this dish. You may keep the leaves whole to prevent bruising or discoloration, or you may break them with your hands or use a chef's knife to cut them.
Seasonings and dressing
Drizzling a light amount of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze as well as adding a dash of salt and black pepper may give this salad an extra kick of flavor.
How to make Caprese salad?
Making caprese salad is as easy as one, two, three. One preparing, two arranging, and three eating. If you follow these three simple steps, you'll end up with an awesome salad every time.
Step 1
Preparing
Wash and slice your tomatoes and drain your mozzarella cheese to get rid of excess liquid. Slice the tomatoes and allow them to dry on a paper towel if they are extra juicy. Slice your cheese and dab the slices gently on a paper towel to get rid of excess moisture.
Step 2
Arranging
Using a bowl or platter, arrange your tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. You may get creative and form special designs and patterns. You may even use a tomato to make a tulip and use the mozzarella cheese and basil to form sepals and leaves at the base of the tulip.
The extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and glaze may be added right before serving to keep all the layers fresh and prevent sagging.
Step 3
Eating
Enjoy your salad by itself, with toasted bread, or as a side to a main dish.
Q&A
Can I use oregano in Caprese salad?
Yes. Oregano may be used alongside the basil in a Caprese salad or as a substitute if you really can't get your hands on any basil.
What should I do to prevent my basil from turning brown?
To prevent your basil from turning brown, avoid cutting with dull knives. For best results, you may break the leaves right before serving to prevent discoloration.
What should I do if my tomatoes are extra juicy?
If your tomatoes are extra juicy, it would be best to slice them and then allow the excess juice to drain on a paper towel. Slice your tomatoes, place the slices on a paper towel, then turn/flip on the other side on another towel.
How to keep mozzarella from getting soggy?
Draining your mozzarella cheese prevents it from getting soggy when you use it in recipes like Caprese salad. You may place the cheese in a colander and allow it to drain completely. You may also place the slices of cheese for your salad on a paper towel before arranging them in your bowl or on your platter for your Caprese salad.
Can I omit balsamic glaze from the Caprese salad recipe?
If you don't fancy balsamic glaze and want to omit it from the recipe, that is completely fine. As a matter of fact, you may add another glaze or salad dressing that's more to your liking.
What is the difference between regular and fresh mozzarella?
The difference between fresh and regular mozzarella is based on how they are prepared. Regular or traditional mozzarella is lower in moisture and packed in blocks or cubes, while fresh mozzarella has more moisture and is usually packed in liquid and has a shorter shelf life.
Recipe tips for Caprese salad
These recipe tips will help you to create the perfect salad every time. This recipe is very simple and only calls for a few ingredients, but there are certain things that will ruin this beautiful dish.
Moisture
Too much moisture may ruin your salad and turn it into a soggy mess. To prevent this from happening, you have to be diligent when it comes to your mozzarella cheese and your tomatoes. Draining and patting them dry are critical to getting the very best results.
Basil leaves
Being gentle with your basil leaves will prevent them from turning brown. Avoiding the use of dull knives and gently breaking the leaves right before serving are tips to prevent bruising and damaging the leaves.
Serving ideas for Caprese salad
You may pair Caprese salad with a number of other dishes, or you could just grab a fork and start biting into the cheesy slices of cheese and tasty tomatoes.
Here is a dinner recipe idea that will go well with Caprese salad. You may also want to try a strawberry cheesecake or another dessert recipe.
I hope you fall in love with this vibrant, delicious, and easy-to-make recipe.
