Caprese Salad
Quick answer
- Total time
- 10 min
- Level
- Easy
- Servings
- 2 servings
- Ingredients
- 6
About this dish
Caprese salad alternates slices of ripe tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves of equal thickness, dressing them with nothing more than extra virgin olive oil and salt.
Read more
The recipe excludes cooking entirely, so the tomato's ripeness and the mozzarella's fresh, milky quality carry the entire flavor of the dish - substituting underripe tomatoes or low-moisture mozzarella changes the result significantly. A thin drizzle of balsamic glaze over the top introduces a concentrated grape-vinegar sweetness that contrasts directly with the cheese's fat, while basil's volatile aromatic compounds release on contact with the oil rather than surviving any heat. Dressing the salad at the last possible moment prevents the salt from drawing moisture out of the tomatoes ahead of time, which dilutes the oil on the plate. The dish originates from the island of Capri and is recognized by the green, white, and red color arrangement that mirrors the Italian flag.
Ingredients
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Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Prep
Prepare 250 g tomatoes by removing the stems and lightly drying the surface.
Even ripe tomatoes can collapse if handled roughly, so support each one as you move and slice it.
- 2Prep
Slice the tomatoes and 180 g fresh mozzarella into 0.8 to 1 cm rounds.
Keep the thickness consistent so the layers sit evenly, and cut the cheese slowly to avoid squeezing it out of shape.
- 3Finish
Arrange tomato, mozzarella, and 20 g fresh basil alternately on a wide plate, overlapping them on a slight angle.
Leave enough of each color visible so the green, white, and red pattern stays clear.
- 4Season
Just before serving, sprinkle 0.5 tsp salt evenly over the tomatoes and cheese.
Do not salt early, because the tomatoes will release more liquid and the dressing will taste diluted.
- 5Finish
Drizzle 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a thin zigzag over the arranged salad.
Let it stand for 1 to 2 minutes so the basil aroma meets the oil without making the plate watery.
- 6Finish
Finish with 1 tbsp balsamic glaze in the thinnest thread possible.
Avoid pooling it in one spot because the sweet acidity can dominate, then serve immediately while the tomato slices still look fresh.
Practical Cooking Checks
The cues that matter most while cooking.
- Key technique
- Fresh mozzarella and ripe tomato rely on high-quality olive oil to highlight their clean, milky fats.
- Finish cue
- Finish with 1 tbsp balsamic glaze in the thinnest thread possible.
- Avoid this
- Dress right before serving to avoid excess moisture.
- Substitution
- The recipe excludes cooking entirely, so the tomato's ripeness and the mozzarella's fresh, milky quality carry the entire flavor of the dish - substituting underripe tomatoes or low-moisture mozzarella changes the result significantly.
Cooking decision evidence
Calculated Charim data and applicable official cooking and food safety guidance.
This recipe
10min, 6 ingredients
Category median
25min, 8 ingredients
Based on 189 recipes
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