I recently tried a Tomato Caprese that quickly became a favorite addition to my menu. Fresh cherry tomatoes, baby mozzarella and basil mingle with garlic, lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil for a vibrant medley. A touch of balsamic glaze and a hint of salt provide a perfect finish to this enticing dish.

Jump to Recipe

I always get excited about trying out new salads that really light up the flavor profile on your plate. This Caprese Salad is one of my favorites because it mixes fresh cherry tomatoes that have been halved with delicate baby mozzarella and crisp basil leaves.

I love tossing in a bit of minced garlic worked into a blend of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice, seasoning it with salt and freshly ground pepper. The combination creates a vibrant taste that feels perfect for summer and is great as a tomato salad or even as an unconventional fruit salad twist.

And then there’s the dramatic finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze that not only ties all the flavors together but also makes it look really enticing. Every time I whip this up, it never fails to spark a conversation on my blog about the endless possibilities in caprese salad recipes and beyond.

Enjoy trying this out!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe cuz it’s super fresh and the flavors really pop! When I mix in the garlic-herb dressing with the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, it just feels like a party in my mouth.

I also love how easy it is to make, even if I’m in a rush. I can toss everything together pretty fast and it always turns out awesome.

Another reason is that I enjoy the mix of textures – the juicy tomatoes, soft mozzarella and crunchy basil leaves. It gives the salad a fun twist that keeps me coming back for more.

Lastly, the balsamic glaze on top adds this extra kick of sweet tanginess that just ties all the flavors together perfectly. Definitely one of my go-to recipes when I wanna impress my friends without a lot of fuss.

Ingredients

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

Cherry tomatoes are juicy, sweet-tart and high in vitamins, fiber and lycopene even if sometimes they burst.
Baby mozzarella is soft, creamy and supplies protein plus calcium, though its flavor might vary.
Fresh basil is aromatic and full of antioxidants and vitamins, lending a bright taste.
Garlic brings a pungent kick that’s healthy and rich in flavor, but can be strong.
Extra-virgin olive oil is a good source of healthy fat that unites the components well.

Lemon juice adds a tangy zing helping to balance the overall flavor perfectly.
Balsamic glaze is sweet, tangy reduction that delivers complex flavor and visual appeal to the salad.

Ingredient Quantities

3 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)

8 oz baby mozzarella (bocconcini), drained

1 small bunch fresh basil leaves

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons balsamic glaze

How to Make this

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

1. First, wash and halve 3 cups of cherry tomatoes and place them into a large mixing bowl.

2. Drain the 8 oz of baby mozzarella and gently pat them dry, then add ’em into the bowl with the tomatoes.

3. Ruffle up a small bunch of fresh basil leaves by hand and toss them in with the tomatoes and mozzarella.

4. In a small bowl mix 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice together until well combined.

5. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and some freshly ground black pepper into the dressing, give it a quick stir.

6. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss so that everything gets coated.

7. Drizzle 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze evenly on top of the salad.

8. Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.

9. Give it one last toss before serving to ensure all flavors are well distributed.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, tasty Caprese Salad.

Equipment Needed

1. Large mixing bowl for the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
2. Small bowl to mix the dressing ingredients.
3. Knife for halving the cherry tomatoes and mincing the garlic.
4. Cutting board to safely work on the tomatoes and garlic.
5. Measuring cup and spoons to get the olive oil, lemon juice, and balsamic glaze right.
6. Serving spoon or tongs to gently toss and mix the salad ingredients.

FAQ

Can I use regular tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes? A: Yeah, you can but cherry tomatoes are sweeter and give more flavor to the salad.

Do I really need to mince the garlic super fine? A: Not really, just chop it well so it mixes evenly with the olive oil and lemon juice.

Can I make this salad ahead of time? A: It's better to assemble it right before serving, cuz the basil can wilt and the flavors might change if left too long.

What if I dont have balsamic glaze on hand? A: You can use a little regular balsamic vinegar, but the glaze adds a nice sweet finish so try to stick with it if you can.

Can I add other ingredients to the Caprese Salad? A: Sure, some people like adding a bit of avocado or even arugula, but the classic version sticks to tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.

Caprese Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Cherry Tomatoes: you can swap these for grape tomatoes or even cut up some heirloom ones if you’re feelin adventurous

Baby Mozzarella: if you cant find bocconcini, you might use regular mozzarella cut into chunks or even try burrata for a creamier vibe
Fresh Basil Leaves: sometimes its cool to swap basil with mint or arugula for a different flavor pop
Lemon Juice: if you’re out of lemon juice, a splash of white wine vinegar works nicely instead
Balsamic Glaze: as an alternative, you could simmer balsamic vinegar until it thickens or use a store bought balsamic reduction

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you really pat the mozzarella dry—if it’s too wet, it’ll water down the salad and mess with that fresh flavor vibe.
2. If you’re into a softer garlic taste, try tossing the minced garlic in a little olive oil on low heat for a minute before mixing it with the rest; it really mellows out the raw edge.
3. It might help to let the whole mix sit for a few extra minutes after tossing the dressing so all the ingredients can soak up that tangy lemon and pungent garlic, but don’t wait too long or the tomatoes might lose their punch.
4. When drizzling the balsamic glaze, go light at first and add more slowly; you wanna add a sweet dash without overpowering the fresh, herby flavors.

Caprese Salad Recipe

Recipe by Toni Baldesera

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

322

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large mixing bowl for the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
2. Small bowl to mix the dressing ingredients.
3. Knife for halving the cherry tomatoes and mincing the garlic.
4. Cutting board to safely work on the tomatoes and garlic.
5. Measuring cup and spoons to get the olive oil, lemon juice, and balsamic glaze right.
6. Serving spoon or tongs to gently toss and mix the salad ingredients.

Ingredients

3 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
8 oz baby mozzarella (bocconcini), drained
1 small bunch fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons balsamic glaze

Directions

First, wash and halve 3 cups of cherry tomatoes and place them into a large mixing bowl.
Drain the 8 oz of baby mozzarella and gently pat them dry, then add 'em into the bowl with the tomatoes.
Ruffle up a small bunch of fresh basil leaves by hand and toss them in with the tomatoes and mozzarella.

In a small bowl mix 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice together until well combined.
Sprinkle a pinch of salt and some freshly ground black pepper into the dressing, give it a quick stir.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss so that everything gets coated.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze evenly on top of the salad.

Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.
Give it one last toss before serving to ensure all flavors are well distributed.
Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, tasty Caprese Salad.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.