Caprese Salad

Nothing screams summer more than Caprese salad made with juicy, ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and sweet and spicy basil!

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Oh, Caprese Salad… let me count the ways! Nothing screams summer to me more than perfectly ripe, juicy, colorful tomatoes, and this fresh and flavorful Caprese salad is loaded with them! Creamy mozzarella cheese and sweet and spicy basil round out this easy salad, and I drizzled it with some balsamic glaze to bring it all together. It’s truly summer on a plate!

overhead view of a serving of caprese salad on a white plate with balsamic glaze.

This Caprese Salad is the perfect way to honor the summer season because of its simplicity. No one wants to turn an oven on in this heat! This recipe is super easy to prepare, surprisingly elegant, bright, and fresh. It’s a crowd-pleaser! I like to tear the mozzarella because I like how the olive oil and balsamic glaze cling to more of the surface area better.

What is Caprese Salad?

Caprese salad is a classic Italian salad made from fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh tomatoes, and, of course, fresh basil to represent the colors of the Italian flag. It’s not your typical salad in that it doesn’t have any lettuce, but allow me to widen your horizons on what a salad can be. Dressed in our favorite easy homemade balsamic glaze, this simple salad is ridiculously fresh and flavorful.

Here’s what you’ll need to make a Caprese salad:

Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: You’re looking for a ball of fresh, soft mozzarella cheese, not a block of low moisture!
Fresh Basil Leaves: Keep them whole for a punch of fresh and herbal flavor.
Fresh Tomatoes: You can use any variety of tomatoes for this recipe, but I love how flavorful and colorful cherry tomatoes are. If you want to go as budget-friendly as possible, Roma tomatoes always seem to be the best price!
Olive Oil: Use high-quality, extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a sweet and tart flavor to the salad.
Brown Sugar: Helps turn the vinegar into a thick, sweet glaze.
Salt and Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the cheese and tomatoes.

What Else Can I Add?

This Caprese salad is so delicious with a bit of kale pesto drizzled over top or some walnuts for crunch. In the heat of deep summer, I like to add some thinly sliced peaches, too, for a little extra sweetness!