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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I made this as a side dish with our grilled steel head trout. It was great. I added pepperoni’s as well
Steelhead trout and caprese salad — now that is a beautiful summer plate! And pepperoni is such a fun addition. It adds a little savory bite that works really well with the fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. Love that you made it your own. Thank you for sharing!
XO, Donya
Making this for the third time so obviously it’s a keeper! Easy and delicious
Third time in — that is the highest compliment a recipe can get! So glad it has become a keeper at your table. Thank you for coming back to share that!
XO, Donya