Tossed Caprese Salad

One of the ultimate summer salads, my Caprese Salad features the classic trio you love: creamy mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil. Finished with a drizzle of sweet balsamic dressing, this salad delivers wonderful flavors in just 20 minutes.

My Take on the Classic Caprese Salad Recipe

There’s so much to love about an easy caprese salad. It’s fresh, flavorful, and looks beautiful on the table. And those summery flavors? You can’t beat it. This classic Italian salad is the perfect way to take advantage of the juicy tomatoes and fresh basil summer brings. Bonus points if you’ve got a garden out back!

For the “balsamic dressing,” I keep it simple with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze. I like the glaze better than regular balsamic vinegar because it’s sweeter and thicker. It also gives a nice, glossy finish to the salad that is just ~chef’s kiss~.

Ingredients

• Cherry or grape tomatoes: In my opinion, these smaller tomatoes provide the best flavor!
• Fresh mozzarella balls: If you can’t find small mozzarella balls (a.k.a. ciliegine), you can buy a large ball of mozzarella and cut it into bite-sized cubes, about ½ inch each.
• Fresh basil leaves: What makes this fresh caprese salad so delicious is the combination of fresh basil, mozzarella, and tomatoes.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: A drizzle of olive oil adds a rich and savory flavor to the salad.
• Balsamic glaze: This is a thick, sweet, and tangy balsamic reduction that is often used as a finishing touch on salads.
• Sea salt & ground black pepper: Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper bring out the flavors of all the other ingredients.

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of balsamic glaze?

Yes. If you are using balsamic vinegar instead of glaze, reduce the amount to 1–2 teaspoons. You can also make your own balsamic glaze by reducing balsamic vinegar in a pan to thicken and sweeten.

How to Make Tossed Caprese Salad

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the halved tomatoes and mozzarella.
2. Next, add the torn basil leaves and gently toss everything together.
3. Drizzle on some olive oil, sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper, and toss again to coat everything nicely.
4. Right before serving, drizzle that balsamic glaze over the top. Dig in and enjoy!

Mains to Go with Your Caprese Salad

This caprese salad was meant to be a side dish, but it can also be easily transformed into a light meal by pairing it with a protein like these Grilled Chicken Tenders. For mains, you can’t go wrong with the flavorful Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken, smoky Best Damn Grilled Pork Chops, or the delicious Roasted Shrimp and Orzo!

Storage

To store any leftovers, let the pasta salad cool before transferring it to an airtight container and placing it in the fridge. It can last up to 3 days.

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