Caprese Salad Recipe
Caprese Salad is a vibrant Italian classic made with juicy ripe tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, extra-virgin olive oil, salt and black pepper. This easy Caprese Salad is fresh, colourful, refreshing and ready in just 10 minutes.
Equipment
- 1 Large Serving Platter –
- 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife
- 1 Chopping Board
- 1 Measuring Spoons
- 1 Olive oil bottle or small jug
Ingredients
- 675 g best-quality ripe tomatoes
- 340 g fresh mozzarella
- 60 ml olive oil - extra-virgin
- 1½ teaspoons coarse sea salt - to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
🍅 Step 1: Bring The Tomatoes To Room Temperature
- Remove the tomatoes from the refrigerator well before preparing the Caprese Salad.
- Allow them to come towards room temperature so their natural flavour and aroma can develop.
- Whenever possible, use ripe, seasonal tomatoes for the best flavour.
🔪 Step 2: Prepare The Tomatoes
- Wash the tomatoes thoroughly and pat them dry.
- Cut the large tomatoes into a mixture of slices and irregular bite-sized pieces.
- If using cherry tomatoes, halve some while leaving others whole.
- Arrange the tomatoes across a large serving platter in a slightly overlapping layer.
🧀 Step 3: Prepare The Mozzarella
- Drain the fresh mozzarella thoroughly.
- Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces using your hands.
- Arrange the mozzarella pieces between and around the tomatoes.
- Avoid using low-moisture block mozzarella if you want the soft, creamy texture of a traditional fresh mozzarella salad.
🧂 Step 4: Season The Salad
- Sprinkle the tomatoes and mozzarella evenly with the coarse sea salt.
- Grind the fresh black pepper generously over the platter.
- Taste a piece of tomato and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Keep the seasoning balanced so it enhances rather than overwhelms the fresh ingredients.
🌿 Step 5: Add The Fresh Basil
- Remove the basil leaves from their stems.
- Tear larger leaves gently with your fingertips.
- Scatter the basil evenly over the tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Add the basil shortly before serving to preserve its fresh aroma and vibrant appearance.
🫒 Step 6: Drizzle With Olive Oil
- Slowly drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over the entire platter.
- Distribute it evenly across the tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.
- Avoid adding too much oil at once; the ingredients should be lightly coated rather than swimming in oil.
🍽️ Step 7: Serve Immediately
- Give the finished Caprese Salad a final check and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve immediately while the tomatoes are juicy and the mozzarella is fresh.
- Serve with crusty bread if desired so you can enjoy the delicious tomato juices and olive oil.
- Avoid vigorously tossing the salad because this can damage the tomatoes and mozzarella and make the presentation less appealing.
Notes
- 🍅 Choose Ripe Tomatoes: Use fresh, juicy, flavourful tomatoes for the best taste and texture.
- 🧀 Use Fresh Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella gives the Caprese Salad its signature creamy texture and delicate flavour.
- 🌿 Add Fresh Basil: Tear the basil leaves gently just before serving to preserve their fresh aroma and vibrant colour.
- 🫒 Use Quality Olive Oil: A good extra-virgin olive oil adds richness and allows the simple ingredients to shine.
- 🧂 Season Just Before Serving: Add sea salt and freshly ground black pepper shortly before serving to enhance the natural flavours without making the tomatoes watery.
- 🍽️ Serve Fresh: For the best Caprese Salad, assemble and serve immediately while the tomatoes and mozzarella are at their freshest.