Caprese Salad

This Caprese Salad recipe is the ultimate guide for how to make Caprese Salad, the classic Italian appetizer made with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes and fresh basil. An easy, healthy salad recipe for summer that’s ready in minutes!

 

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

We love a good salad here at The Busy Baker, especially a classic European-style salad like this Caprese salad! With summer on its way, Caprese salad is our go-to salad to order in restaurants AND it’s our go-to quick and easy lunch to make at home. It’s simple to make, it’s the epitome of freshness, and it’s effortlessly delicious. We know you’ll love it as much as we do!

Caprese salad is a classic and iconic Italian dish that’s classically made with only 5 ingredients: fresh ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Some versions add freshly cracked black pepper and balsamic vinegar. It’s a fresh and delicious salad that’s popular in the summer when vine-ripened tomatoes are fresh and readily available at local markets.

Caprese salad is incredibly popular because it celebrates the essence of true Italian cuisine – the idea that less is more, and that the best dishes are made simple with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Not only does Caprese salad showcase delicious and fresh Italian flavours, it also contains ingredients of complimentary textures and colours that represent the Italian flag.

It originated in the south of Italy in the region of Campania, Italy but today it’s served throughout Italy and most of Europe. It’s easy to find on restaurant menus in most European countries and its ingredients are readily available at grocery stores and markets.

Here’s how we recommend making our recipe for Caprese salad at home!

Choose a sweet, fresh variety of tomatoes that are fully ripe. We recommend Roma, Heirloom, or Cherry tomatoes (see our full guide below!).

Choose fresh mozzarella, not conventional block mozzarella. It’s got a higher moisture content which makes it softer and more flavourful.

Fresh basil is far superior to dried basil when it comes to flavour. Use the leaves whole or chop them – however you like!

Don’t worry about adding lots of other ingredients – focus on choosing high-quality tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil, olive oil and salt and letting them shine.

Salt adds flavour, so be sure not to skip adding a pinch or two of salt to the top of your Caprese salad. Trust us, it will make a HUGE difference!

Pay attention to the size of your tomatoes and mozzarella. Try to pair cherry tomatoes with Bocconcini or mini mozzarella since they’re close in size, and pair sliced Roma tomatoes with sliced mozzarella. Your Caprese salad will be easier and much more enjoyable to eat!

It’s best to make and serve a Caprese salad immediately for ultimate freshness. Tomatoes release moisture as they sit after slicing, and a Caprese salad left in the fridge will get soggy and the basil leaves will wilt. Be sure to assemble right before serving for best results.

Mozzarella cheese is a common ingredient in Italian cuisine, but did you know not all mozzarella is created equal? There are two main types of mozzarella cheese: conventional mozzarella and fresh mozzarella. The difference is significant, especially when it comes to how they’re made, how they’re stored, and how they’re served and used in recipes. Here’s everything you need to know about the difference between conventional mozzarella cheese and fresh mozzarella!

Conventional Mozzarella is typically made from cow’s milk through a process that involves curdling the milk, separating the curds and whey, and then kneading and stretching the curd to achieve the desired consistency. This type of mozzarella can be made with both whole milk and part-skim milk. It is processed to reduce its moisture content which gives it a longer shelf life. This mozzarella is often sold in blocks and can be shredded and used in recipes like pizza, lasagna, or any other recipe where the cheese is melted.

Fresh Mozzarella is made using a similar process but is stopped before the extensive kneading and stretching stage. This allows it to retain more moisture, making the end result softer and more tender. Traditionally, it is actually made from water buffalo milk (known as buffalo mozzarella) in the Campania region of Italy, although cow’s milk versions are also readily available and much less expensive. Fresh mozzarella is unique in flavour and texture because of its high moisture content – it has a very soft texture, and fresh, milky flavour. It is sold stored in brine to keep it fresh, and it’s sold in balls, either large or small (the small ones are called Bocconcini)

The storage of these two types of mozzarella also differs significantly. Conventional mozzarella has a long shelf life and can be stored in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for several weeks. It’s more forgiving in terms of how it’s stored because of its lower moisture content.

Fresh mozzarella, because of its higher moisture content, is more perishable and should be consumed a few days after it’s purchased. It is best kept in its original brine to maintain its moisture, texture, and flavour.

In recipes, the choice between conventional and fresh mozzarella can greatly affect the outcome of the dish. Conventional mozzarella is ideal for dishes that require melting cheese, such as pizzas, lasagnas, and toasted sandwiches. Its lower moisture content allows it to melt beautifully without releasing excessive water, which could make the dish soggy.

Fresh mozzarella is best used in cold or room temperature dishes where its uniquely creamy texture and delicate flavour can be fully appreciated alongside other simple ingredients. It’s the mozzarella of choice for salads, such as a Caprese salad. When used in cooked dishes, it should be added at the end of the cooking process to avoid over-melting and water release, which could impact the dish’s texture and presentation.

In short, no – Burrata and Mozzarella are not the same thing and Burrata shouldn’t be used in a Caprese salad recipe.

Burrata is different than fresh mozzarella because of its contrasting textures. The outer shell of Burrata is made from mozzarella, which is smooth and firm. The interior, however, is a soft, creamy mixture of curd and fresh cream, known as stracciatella. When cut open, the rich and creamy inside flows out.

Because of its creamy texture that acts like a spread, burrata is often served with a salad made from fresh vegetables and alongside toasted bread.

Simply put, the BEST tomatoes for Caprese are ones that are as fresh and juicy as possible. Caprese salad is made from all kinds of different tomatoes – here are some of our favourites:

1. San Marzano or Roma – if you don’t live in Italy, San Marzano tomatoes are hard to come by because they’re a special variety of tomatoes grown in a specific region of Italy near Mount Vesuvius. They’re known for their sweetness, their low acidity, and their intense red colour and deep flavour. Outside of Italy, their closest counterpart is an ultra fresh Roma tomato, which is what we recommend for making Caprese salad.
2. Heirloom – Heirloom tomatoes are a sweeter variety of tomato and they often have a ribbed outside. They’re known for being extra flavourful and juicy, and they’re a great addition to a Caprese salad.
3. Cherry Tomatoes – Vine-ripened cherry tomatoes are one of our favourite varieties for Caprese salad, especially when paired with Bocconcini or mini mozzarella. When they’re ripened on the vine, they’re extra red and juicy and sweet!

Here’s the basic kitchen equipment you’ll need to make this Caprese salad (paid):

• large knife
• Cutting Board
• a serving plate or bowls

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Caprese salad recipe (paid links):

• 2 large Roma tomatoes or use 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 2 large balls of fresh mozzarella or us 3/4 cup mini fresh mozzarella balls
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves chopped or whole
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1-2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar optional
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste

If you want to take this recipe for Caprese Salad to the next level, try one of these delicious variations on the classic Italian recipe!

1. Pesto – In addition to some balsamic vinegar, add a drizzle of pesto over the salad for added flavour.
2. Peach – Add sliced fresh peaches to the salad for a sweet variation.
3. Avocado – Add avocado slices and a sprinkle of chili flakes and a squeeze of lime juice.
4. Grilled – Grill the tomato slices on a hot grill, along with the mozzarella slices, for a smoky and warm Caprese salad.
5. Mediterranean – Add some sliced Kalamata olives and Greek oregano for a mediterranean twist.
6. Watermelon – Add some thinly sliced watermelon for a sweet, refreshing addition.

The most common Caprese salad dressing is simply extra virgin olive oil! That’s right – there’s no need to make a special Caprese salad dressing for this salad. We love enjoying it with a simple drizzle of olive oil and a little drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a little bit more flavour.

We hope you love this delicious Caprese Salad recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite Italian-style dish to make at home? We’d love to know!

• Tabbouleh Salad (Tabouli)
• Strawberry Spinach Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
• Watermelon Salad
• Fruit Salad
• Greek Chickpea Salad
• Halloumi Salad
• Olive Garden Salad
• Crunchy Broccoli Salad
• Panzanella Salad
• Pear Salad with Walnuts, Prosciutto and Goat Cheese Arugula
• Pomegranate Salad with Kale and Quinoa

Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this recipe. You can find many more deliciously simple recipe videos on our YouTube channel!