Italian Caprese Salad
A vibrant Italian-inspired salad featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, finished with olive oil and a tangy balsamic reduction. Light yet satisfying, it’s perfect as a side dish, appetizer, or a refreshing main.
Equipment
- 1 Small saucepan
- 1 Wooden spoon (for stirring reduction)
- 1 Sharp knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Serving platter
- 1 Small bowl or cruet (for storing balsamic glaze)
Ingredients
- 2 cups balsamic vinegar
- 3 ripe tomatoes sliced thick
- 12 oz fresh mozzarella cheese sliced thick
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil for drizzling
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Begin the Balsamic Reduction: Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place the pan over medium-low heat and allow the vinegar to come to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to prevent scorching on the bottom. This slow reduction process will help the vinegar thicken and concentrate into a sweet, tangy glaze that enhances the salad’s flavor.
- Monitor and Thicken the Glaze: Continue simmering the balsamic vinegar for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how much liquid you are reducing and the heat of your stove. The liquid should slowly shrink down to roughly one-third of its original volume and develop a syrup-like consistency. You’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon but still pours easily. Remove the pan from the heat immediately once the glaze is thickened, and transfer it into a small bowl or cruet to cool completely.
- Slice the Tomatoes and Mozzarella: While the glaze is cooling, prepare the fresh ingredients. Rinse the tomatoes thoroughly, then slice them into evenly thick rounds—about ¼ to ½ inch each. Set them aside on a plate. Next, slice the fresh mozzarella into rounds of similar thickness so the pieces visually and texturally match the tomatoes. Keeping the slices even will make layering neater and more attractive.
- Prepare the Fresh Basil Leaves: Wash the basil leaves gently under cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Choose whole, bright green leaves with no bruising for the best flavor and presentation. If the leaves are particularly large, you can tear them in half, but leaving them whole often creates a more striking visual effect when layered between the cheese and tomatoes.
- Arrange the Salad Layers: On a large serving platter, begin assembling the Caprese salad. Alternate the slices of tomato and mozzarella in an overlapping pattern, slightly shingling them across the plate. After every slice or two, tuck a fresh basil leaf between the layers so the vibrant green peeks out against the red and white. This alternating arrangement not only looks beautiful but also ensures each bite contains all three main elements.
- Add Olive Oil Drizzle: Once the platter is neatly arranged, drizzle a thin stream of high-quality olive oil over the entire salad. Try to cover each slice lightly so every bite has a hint of richness. Olive oil provides healthy fats, enhances flavor, and adds a subtle sheen that makes the salad even more appetizing.
- Finish with the Balsamic Glaze: Using a spoon or squeeze bottle, drizzle the cooled balsamic reduction over the salad in thin ribbons. You can move in a zigzag pattern, create circular swirls, or simply scatter it freely across the top—whatever suits your style. The dark glaze provides both a striking contrast in color and a burst of sweet acidity to balance the creaminess of the mozzarella.
- Season with Salt and Pepper: Sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt and a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper over the entire platter. This final seasoning step enhances all the natural flavors: it sharpens the sweetness of the tomatoes, deepens the creaminess of the cheese, and balances the tang of the glaze. Adjust seasoning to taste, keeping in mind that a little goes a long way.
- Garnish for Extra Freshness (Optional): For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, scatter a few additional basil leaves on top right before serving. This not only reinforces the herbaceous flavor but also keeps the salad looking bright and inviting.
- Serve and Enjoy Immediately: Caprese salad is best enjoyed fresh. Serve it as a light lunch with a slice of crusty bread, as a colorful appetizer for a dinner party, or as a refreshing side alongside grilled meats or pasta. The combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, silky olive oil, and sweet-tangy glaze makes every bite a perfect balance of flavors.
Notes
- Highlights fresh, simple ingredients: ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil.
- Balsamic reduction adds sweetness and depth without overpowering the salad.
- Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for everyday meals or special occasions.
- Naturally low in carbs and rich in protein and healthy fats.
- Elegant presentation with minimal effort makes it ideal for entertaining.
- Versatile: works as an appetizer, side dish, or light main course.
- Best served fresh, but balsamic reduction can be made ahead and stored.
