5 from 3 votes
Caprese Salad
A delicious classic Caprese salad with ripe juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, sweet basil, tangy balsamic drizzle and rich olive oil. This lovely dish is an amazing appetizer or side dish for serving guests!
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings:
6
to 12 Servings
Calories:
166 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1.5 to 2 lbs vine-ripened tomatoes sliced, or heirloom tomatoes
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese sliced into ¼-inch thick slices, fresh
- 20 basil fresh leaves
- 2 to 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp sea salt to taste, coarse
- ¼ tsp black pepper to taste, fresh cracked
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife and a cutting board, Slice tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese into 1/4-inch thick slices.
- Arrange the sliced mozzarella cheese and tomatoes on a large serving dish. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the sliced tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Sprinkle the tomato and mozzarella slices with sea salt and black pepper. Arrange the basil leaves around the sliced tomatoes and mozzarella. For the best result, use smaller basil leaves rather than large basil leaves so that each bite of the tomatoes and cheese isn’t overpowered by basil. If you don't have small basil leaves, simply chop large leaves and sprinkle them all over.
- Transfer the balsamic vinegar to a small skillet or small saucepan, heat over medium-high heat and bring it to a full boil. Allow mixture to boil, stirring constantly, until it has reduced to 1/2 or 1/3 of its original volume. Remove from heat and allow the reduction to cool to room temperature before pouring it over the caprese salad. Note that balsamic vinegar burns easily when it isn’t carefully watched so be sure to stay present for the whole reduction process.
- Serve caprese salad with a serving spoon or fork and small appetizer plates. You can also serve caprese salad with buttered toasted baguette for a more substantial appetizer.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *You'll need about 5 vine-ripened tomatoes or 2 to 3 large heirloom tomatoes.
- Store leftover caprese salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1Serving (of 12)
Calories
166kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
3g
(1%)
Protein
12g
(24%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
(29%)
Cholesterol
30mg
(10%)
Sodium
387mg
(16%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 to 12 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 166
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1Serving (of 12) | |
| Calories | 166kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 387mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.