Easiest Caprese Salad (10 Minutes)

Name: Easiest Caprese Salad (10 Minutes)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 3 medium large tomatoes; 1 bunch fresh basil; 1 mozzarella log ((16 ounces)); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze; sea salt (to taste); freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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When you need the perfect summer appetizer FAST, it doesn't get better than this classic Caprese recipe. You won't believe how well a little fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil play together. 🙂

Caprese salad on a white serving plate atop a marble countertop.

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🌿 Ingredients
📝 Instructions
📖 Variations
💭 FAQ
🍳 Recipe

🌿 Ingredients

To make your Caprese salad recipe really pop, I can't recommend fresh, locally grown tomatoes enough. Their fresh flavor makes truly makes this recipe taste like summer, whether you grow them yourself or find a local farm stand or farmers market to buy them at.

Also, opt for balsamic glaze over balsamic vinegar if you can. Either will work, but a glaze will make it super easy to drizzle over the dish and create an artistic and fancy looking dish. 😉

Pro tip: To save a little time, look for a pre-sliced mozzarella log!

See recipe card below for exact quantities.

📝 Instructions

As promised, this easy appetizer will take only 10 minutes to make, especially if you start with pre-sliced mozzarella. Simply wash and dry the tomatoes and basil, and then slice the tomatoes into about ¼" thick slices.

To assemble the salad, I like to alternate tomato and cheese slices as I overlap them just a bit, starting around the edge of my serving plate. Work your way into the middle and then sprinkle everything with the fresh basil leaves.

Lastly, drizzle the olive oil and balsamic glaze over your Caprese and a little sea salt and freshly ground pepper if you'd like.

Closeup of Caprese salad on a white serving plate.

📖 Variations

It's been a summer of Caprese salad making here (I can't get enough of them obviously!) Here are all of the Caprese variations I've made, and spoiler alert, they are all just as delicious as the original.

And of course, feel free to pair any of these with other favorite appetizers too. 🙂

💭 FAQ

What kind of mozzarella is best for Caprese salad?

Fresh mozzarella packed in water or brine is best for making Caprese salad. (You don't want to use low-moisture mozzarella, used for pizza making, which is too dry and salty for Caprese.) Look for a mozzarella log that you can slice, or buy a pre-sliced log to save some prep time.

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh for a Caprese salad?

Since fresh basil is one of the key ingredients in a traditional Caprese salad, it unfortunately won't taste or look the same with dried basil. In a pinch, you could substitute another fresh herb like Italian parsley or some fresh mint instead.

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of balsamic glaze in a Caprese salad?

Yes; balsamic vinegar will still work fine in a Caprese salad, but if you prefer a bit of extra sweetness as well as the ability to more artistically drizzle the balsamic over your salad, balsamic glaze is the way to go.

Can I make Caprese salad in advance?

You can slice and arrange the mozzarella and tomatoes a few hours ahead of time if needed, but wait until just before serving to add the basil, oil and balsamic glaze to make sure your salad is as fresh as possible.

🍳 Recipe