Tomato Mozzarella Salad is a bright and fresh summer appetizer, bursting with juicy seasonal tomatoes, soft and creamy mozzarella balls, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, simple seasoning, and freshly sliced basil.
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Tomato Mozzarella Salad (Caprese Salad)
If you like easy and fresh salad recipes please take a look at my similar recipes such as Cabbage and Cucumber Salad With Dill and Marinated Cucumber, Onion and Tomato Salad.
Table of Contents
Serve this delicious salad as a great side dish to garlic chicken pasta, baked ziti, over scrambled eggs, over baked fish, or on top of crusty gluten free bread similar to tomato bruschetta.
Ingredients
- Mini Mozzarella balls (Bocconcini) - slice them with a cheese knife or use your fingers for a more rustic look. Fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed, could be used instead if cheese balls cannot be sourced.
- Tomatoes - depending on the size of the ripe tomatoes used, you can either cut them into quarters or in half. Use grape, sweet cherry tomatoes, or heirloom tomatoes as a substitute. I also recommend those tips on handling and storing tomatoes correctly for juicy and ripe flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar - this is the popular choice for this simple Italian salad but you could also use balsamic reduction or red wine vinegar.
- Lemon juice - not bottled!
- Olive oil - using olive oil of the highest quality will make a huge difference to the taste of this fresh Caprese salad. There are some easy key factors to look into when purchasing olive oil.
- Fresh basil - Slice the fresh basil into finely cut ribbons. Choose large basil leaves of the same size to easily make basil chiffonade.
Step by step photos can be found below the recipe card.
Tips
- Buy your tomatoes directly from a farmer's market to get the best tomatoes during tomato season.
- Using the best quality olive oil will really add to the flavor of this salad. Something like Italian Nocellara extra virgin olive oil is great although you can use whatever quality brand that you enjoy the most.
- To intensify the flavors in this simple salad, allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes. If you do, only add the basil just before serving as it will wilt and turn brown quickly.
Storing Instructions
- To Store: This salad is best when served right away. You can refrigerate it for up to 2 days, however, the flavor is not the freshest on the second day.
- Make ahead: Dressing can be made in advance for 1-2 days but for best results, other ingredients should be cut and combined right before serving.
🍅 Have too many cherry tomatoes? Freeze them for later!
Before You Head Out
If you gave this recipe a try, I'd be so thankful if you could leave a ★★★★★ rating and review below. It helps other readers, supports my work, and means the world to me. Thank you for being part of The Yummy Bowl family. Happy cooking! ❤️
Recipe Card
Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl add all the salad dressing ingredients.
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella balls and toss in the dressing.
- Season generously with salt and pepper and stir in the basil chiffonade.
- Basil should go in last, right before serving as it will wilt and get brown after a while.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Instructions
- In a large bowl add all the salad dressing ingredients.
- Slice the tomatoes into quarters, add the mozzarella balls and toss all in the dressing.
- Season generously with salt and pepper and stir in the basil chiffonade.
- Basil should go in last, right before serving as it will wilt and get brown after a while.
Tomato Mozzarella Salad: FAQs
You can use cherry tomatoes as a smaller tomato type for this salad. Brandywine tomatoes are larger and would therefore need to be cut down in size but they are one of the most flavorful tomatoes for salads.
Consider adding extra color to this salad by using bright yellow heirloom tomatoes, or a combination of cherry and heirloom tomatoes.
If you can't source mozzarella balls, go ahead and add cubed mozzarella cheese from a block of mozzarella cheese.
This will create the same flavors even if it makes the salad look a little different.
The ingredients for this tomato basil mozzarella salad and a classic Italian Caprese salad are basically the same. The difference is merely the way the salads are presented.
In a classic Caprese salad, the tomatoes are usually sliced and added to a flat serving dish with crumbled mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, seasoning, and balsamic dressing.
This is a preparation technique used to cut leafy green vegetables and herbs. It's essentially cutting the fresh basil leaves into finely sliced pieces.
To do this, stack the basil leaves, roll them into a cigar shape, and then slice them into thin ribbons using a sharp knife.
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Vivian Smith
Absolutely adore the simplicity yet elegance of this salad. Julia, your choice of ingredients and the detailed instructions made it a breeze to recreate. It’s going on my blog with a shoutout to you!
Sandra Dee
Julia, your instructions for the salad were spot-on! I appreciated the tips on choosing the freshest ingredients. My garden tomatoes were a perfect match. Delicious outcome!
Mike_J
just tried making this salad for a small get together. huge hit with my friends. who knew something so simple could taste so good? props Julia
Tara M.
Hey Julia, loved the mozzarella and tomato salad recipe, it's just what I've been looking for to add some healthy variety to our meals.
Alex K.
Hey Tara, not Julia here but I've used cashew cheese in similar recipes and it's fantastic. Blends well without overwhelming the dish!
Julia
thanks Tara!!!
Cindy
Does the cheese get a brownish color using the balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar in this recipe?
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
From red wine not so much but balsamic yes. The more the salad sits the color of cheese will change. It is best to be served right away or you can add cheese last minute.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Very fresh and flavorful side salad for any occasion!