Hello, beautiful! That’s what I say every time I make this salad. I love fresh tomatoes and everything about a classic Caprese, but my shortcut version delivers all the flavor I love about this iconic recipe without any extra fuss.
5-Star Reader Comment
Absolutely the easiest and best tasting caprese salad I’ve ever made!
Pat
Easy Caprese Salad Made My Way
Seriously, y’all, I could eat this salad every day. But here’s the thing, since I love it so much, I wanted a version that could be made in minutes. Guess what, I made one!
This classic Italian salad is usually made with thick slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, but I like to switch it up. By using grape tomatoes and mozzarella pearls, everything mixes together in one big bowl — no slicing, no fuss.
The best part? Every bite has a little bit of tomato, cheese, and basil, so you never miss out on that perfect combination of flavors.
Enjoy…
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
This salad is so easy that you really don’t need make it ahead of time but, if you want to get a jump on prepping it – especially if you are serving a crowd – is to cut the tomatoes and store them in the fridge, then toss everything together right before serving.
What Kind of Mozzarella is Best?
Fresh mozzarella is a must. I like using mozzarella pearls because they save time and mix perfectly with the tomatoes. If you can’t find pearls, cutting a ball of fresh mozzarella into bite-size cubes works just as well.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Grape tomatoes – sweet and juicy
- Mozzarella pearls or cubes – creamy and mild
- Fresh basil leaves – fragrant and fresh
- Olive oil – smooth and rich
- Balsamic vinegar – tangy and sweet
- Kosher salt – enhances flavor
- Fresh cracked black pepper – subtle spice
Simple Ways to Change Things Up
- Tomatoes – Grape tomatoes are quick and easy, but cherry or heirloom tomatoes bring beautiful color and flavor too.
- Mozzarella – Burrata is a decadent swap if you want something extra creamy. You can also slice fresh mozzarella into rounds if pearls aren’t available.
- Dressing – A drizzle of balsamic glaze instead of vinegar makes the salad a little sweeter and fancier.
- Add-ins – Sliced avocado, roasted red peppers, or even a handful of olives can make this salad heartier and a little different.
How to Make This Tomato Salad in Minutes
- Combine grape tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and torn basil in a bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic, then season with salt and pepper.
- Gently toss and serve fresh.
Caprese Salad Questions, Answered
Fresh mozzarella is a must — the packaged shredded stuff won’t give you that creamy, tender bite you’re looking for. I love using mozzarella pearls because they save time and mix perfectly with grape tomatoes so every single bite has a little of everything. If you can’t find pearls, just cut a ball of fresh mozzarella into small cubes.
This salad is so quick that you really don’t need to, but if you’re serving a crowd, you can cut the tomatoes ahead and keep them in the refrigerator. Toss everything together with the olive oil and balsamic right before you’re ready to serve. Dress it too early and it gets watery.
A good quality balsamic is worth it here since it’s one of just a handful of ingredients. I look for one that’s slightly thick and syrupy — it clings to the tomatoes and mozzarella beautifully. If you want something richer, a balsamic glaze drizzled on top is absolutely heavenly.
I like it as a starter, a side dish for grilled chicken or fish, or piled high on a charcuterie board. It’s gorgeous at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before you serve it. That’s when the flavors really come alive.
Craving More Fresh Salads? Here You Go!
Ingredients
- 1 pint grape tomatoes – cut in half
- 8 ounces Mozzarella pearls or cubes
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves – torn
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Add tomatoes, cheese and basil to a medium size bowl. Set aside.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Pour over salad and gently toss. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to mix. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
If you tried this Easy Caprese Salad Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ways to serve a Simple Caprese Salad
- On its own for lunch or as a side dish with tuna salad or egg salad sandwiches.
- With crusty bread as an appetizer with salami chips and sweet heat pickles.
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This super easy Caprese Salad is a hit with friends and family. Couldn’t be easier and it is DELICIOUS! I’ve made it several times. I know it will be perfect for an upcoming family barbecue celebration.
This is such a great salad for the summer. Thanks for leaving such a great review! ~Donya
I made the caprese salad today. My brother came for lunch today and we enjoyed it so much. Thanks for posting.
You are so welcome, Candy. I’m thrilled you like the recipe and am so happy you are cooking with me.
~Donya
This salad is so yummy!! I made it today!! Thank you!
Absolutely the easiest and best tasting caprese salad I’ve ever made!
Thank you so much, Pat!
~Donya
Can you use avocado oil instead of olive oil?
Sure!
~Donya
I love this recipe. I have made something similar but your take is a little less time, and tastes every bit as good.
I make this Capese salad…all the time!
This is really simple and delicious. It’s perfect.
Thank, Laura!
~Donya
This was my favorite side at Red Lobster, only they told me they used Balsamic Glaze instead of vinegar. I finally found the pearls and intend to make it soon. Thanks so much for posting this. I also want to try the salad with pasta. It makes me hungry to think of it.
Hey there Carole!
I am with you, caprese salad was always my go-to side at red lobster as well! You can make it with either a balsamic reduction or balsamic vinegar depending on your personal preference. Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe and for this phenomenal rating! I really hope you enjoy this dish, let me know how it turns out!
~Donya
Yes! Simple! We loved it so much that we made 4 batches in 2 days! XD
Hey there Jenna!
Wow! I am absolutely thrilled y’all enjoyed this recipe, it’s a beautiful, light salad. If you liked this recipe, you should try my Caprese Pasta Salad or my Mediterranean Pasta Salad, they’re both very light salads that are full of delicious, bright flavors. Thank you so much for your kind words and this fantastic rating, I really appreciate your support! Have a great day!
~Donya
This sounds wonderful but I just don’t care for balsamic vinegar, what else could I use?
Hey Linda.
You could use red wine vinegar. You can substitute whatever kind of vinegar you like. Enjoy!
~Donya
Thank you dear!
Would you have a really good chicken spaghetti recipe you could post?
Hey Linda!
Here’s one of my family’s favorites. I hope you like it:
https://www.asouthernsoul.com/out-of-this-world-rotel-chicken-spaghetti/
Enjoy,
~Donya
My whole family loves this easy caprese salad. It pulls together in less than 5 minutes & it tastes great. Thank you for this easy recipe
I’ve actually done this salad with Italian dressing, also very yummy!