The best caprese salad recipe shows off summer’s finest with creamy mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes topped with fresh leafy basil and fruity olive oil. Serve the salads individually or turn this simple Italian staple into a party by creating a DIY caprese salad bar where everyone can help themselves.
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I’ve been a fan of Caprese salads for as long as I can remember. I’ve incorporated this classic mozzarella, tomato, and basil trifecta in many different iterations, as evidenced in my recipes for caprese pasta salad, THE BEST chicken caprese, and cantaloupe and mozzarella caprese salad. Originating on the island of Capri, insalata Caprese is a signature dish of Southern Italy where the small towns up and down the Amalfi coast produce the most delicious fresh tomatoes you will find anywhere in the world. I mean, I’ve had some amazing garden tomatoes here in the States, but I can attest that nothing compares to organic, ripe tomatoes eaten straight from Italian soil. Simplicity is the signature of a good caprese, and keeping it spare but still loading it with flavor is easy to do. Whether you enjoy Caprese salad as an appetizer or side dish, there’s no denying it’s the perfect summer salad.
What’s in Caprese Salad
Traditional Caprese salad is simple at its finest. It’s proof you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make a recipe shine. Since you only need a few here, use the best and make them count. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fresh, juicy, ripe summer tomatoes—even better when they’re still warm from the garden. Any size will do. I like to mix up the colors and sizes to add variety to the plate, and the subtleness of different flavors too. A mix of heirloom tomatoes and cherry tomatoes is always fun.
- Fresh and creamy mozzarella cheese. Fresh mozzarella cheese is usually packed in water or sold in a log. Choose a firm log that isn’t too squished from being packaged. These days you can find logs of mozzarella pre-sliced, or it’s pretty dang easy to slice your own. I like to serve mine alongside the smaller mozzarella pearls, ciliegine (cherry size), or bocconcini (apricot size) for a variety of shapes. Drain the water it comes in and discard. If you’re really looking for that wow factor, nothing is more delicious than ultra-creamy burrata cheese like I use in this caprese salad.
- Fresh basil. I grow basil just so I’ll have it within reach specifically for this salad. It’s best to tear the basil leaves to release their heavenly aroma rather than cutting with a knife, which can macerate them and make them wilt.
- The best olive oil you can afford. A great, fruity, extra virgin olive oil is my absolute favorite for this salad and I’m totally willing to spend the extra dollar or four because it makes the difference. I savor this oil for drizzling on salads or veggies, it’s not one to cook with since it’s so special. This one is my current favorite.
How to Make Caprese Salad
Caprese salad couldn’t be simpler to make, and there really are no rules in terms of how you arrange your salad. Just have fun with it.
Arrange your mozzarella. Place the mozzarella on a large board or serving platter with the drained mozzarella balls.
Slice and season your tomatoes. Slice the tomatoes into wedges and assemble individual salads on plates with the mozzarella and basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Add texture and flavor. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, seasoned salts or flaky sea salt, and toasted pine nuts, or add pesto and romesco sauce. Serve prosciutto on the side if desired.
How to Make a DIY Caprese Salad Bar
First off, find a large cutting board (or two) to use as your base. I bought this large, white, restaurant-style cutting board years ago for big jobs like this.
Set out a sharp, serrated bread knife like this one for easy slicing of the tomatoes for the guests to help themselves to. Or, assign someone to man up and play tomato bartender, slicing tomatoes and portioning out to guests as they like.
Start with the basics of the Caprese salad ingredients above, then up the ante with some simple topping additions to drizzle, sprinkle, and season.
Add a little crunch with simple crackers, slices of baguette, or crisped foccacia toasts to serve alongside.
Caprese Salad Variations
There’s no need to make a Caprese salad dressing for this caprese salad bar. Instead, use some of the ingredients below to take your caprese over the top. They’re all totally optional and can be switched or mixed and matched to fit your and your guest’s cravings.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: As mentioned above, use a great quality, fruity olive oil for the best, simple taste.
- Balsamic glaze: When balsamic vinegar is cooked down and reduced, it turns into a sweet, syrupy glaze. I rarely make my own and buy this one from the grocery store instead.
- Romesco sauce: Add a jar of roasted peppers to a blender with olive oil, a handful of sliced almonds, a clove of garlic, and smoked paprika, and pulse to make this simple, chunky sauce.
- Pesto: Make your own easy homemade basil pesto or arugula pesto, or buy a great quality jarred version from the grocery store.
- Flavored salts: Himalayan sea salts, pink sea salt, flaky white, or flavored salts all add their unique cast to juicy tomatoes and actually make each bite sweeter.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Instead of using pepper straight from the can, break out your coffee grinder and use it to grind fresh peppercorns. You’ll totally taste the difference. Process the peppercorns longer for a finer grind, or pulse to get a more coarse texture.
- Pine nuts: Creamy and high in good-for-you fats, toast your pinenuts to bring out their earthy essence.
I added prosciutto to my Caprese board, but you don’t have to stop there. Experiment with the flavors of the Mediterranean and add any of these ingredients ideas:
- antipasti ingredients like salty salami or pepperoni
- kalamata olives
- artichoke hearts
- roasted red bell peppers
- sliced melons or stone fruit
- dried fruit or nuts
What Goes Well with Caprese Salad
I mean, would you look at that board!!??! It’s summer all day long!
This Caprese salad bar is great for parties as an appetizer, or serve alongside the main for a fun self-serve salad.
Make it a main vegetarian dish when you add avocado or chickpeas, or go meaty and Mediterranean-style when you serve it with:
- The Best Greek Marinade Chicken
- Mediterranean Grilled Pork Chops With Tomato Salad
- Grilled Flank Steak
- Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Greek Turkey Burgers With Tzatziki Sauce
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
THE BEST Caprese Salad + DIY Caprese Salad Bar
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella , cut into ¼-inch thick slices
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls , such as ciliegine or bocconcini, drained
- 3 pounds tomatoes , (about 6 large heirlooms, or assorted fresh garden tomatoes)
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup fruity extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Place the mozzarella on a large board or platter with the drained mozzarella balls. Slice the tomatoes into wedges and assemble individual salads on plates with the mozzarella and basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze, seasoned salts, toasted pine nuts or add pesto and romesco sauce. Serve prosciutto on the side of desired.
Notes
Nutrition
More Caprese Recipe Ideas
- 30-Minute Caprese Chicken Recipe
- Caprese Pasta Salad With Garlic Marinated Tomatoes
- Chicken Caprese Sandwich
- Melted Mozzarella Caprese Crostini Toasts
- Mozzarella And Tomato Caprese Flatbread
- Microwave Egg Caprese Breakfast Cups
More Easy Entertaining Bar Ideas
- How To Set Up A DIY Mimosa Bar
- How To Make A Stunning Caprese Salad Platter
- How To Serve A DIY Bagels And Lox Brunch Bar
- The Best Bloody Mary Recipe And A Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar
- The Best DIY Foil Packet Dinners
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Yummy
and it looks good too, yes great time of year for all of these ingredients, thank you for the recipe!
AWESOME! SO GLAD I FOUND THIS! My fiance fave food is anything caprese!! He will love this at our wedding reception! Thanks!!
Thanks for the very best recipe and i love it.
Looks Delicious
Thanks!