Italian Caprese Salad Recipe: Fresh Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil 2026

Isabel Gaines
Italian Caprese Salad Recipe: Fresh Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil - grandgoldman.com
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This salad is a gastronomic icon of Italy, specifically of the Italian region of Campania, where the island of Capri is located, to which the origin of this salad is attributed.

Its three main ingredients—tomato, mozzarella, and basil combine to recreate the colors of the Italian flag. Drizzled with a good extra virgin olive oil, they form one of the most delicious salads you can enjoy in summer.

There are versions of the Caprese salad with pesto, burrata, fresh cheese, and even without basil, using another ingredient instead. However, the authentic recipe uses only the aforementioned ingredients.

 

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With good raw materials and by following these steps, it will not be necessary to add any other type of dressing that could detract from the original Caprese salad recipe and mask the delicate flavor of the tomato and mozzarella accompanied by the subtle aroma of freshly cut basil.

 

Recipe Information

  • Preparation time : 10 minutes
  • Total time : 10 minutes
  • Servings : 2
  • Category : incoming
  • Type of cuisine : Italian
  • Calories per serving (kcal) : 230

 

Caprese salad ingredients

  • 2 tomatoes
  • 120 grams of mozzarella
  • A few basil leaves
  • 1 splash of extra virgin olive oil
  • Flaky salt
  • 1 pinch of freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Caprese salad ingredients

 

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How to make a Caprese salad

First, we cut the tomatoes into slices about half a centimeter thick.

Cut the tomatoes

We let the mozzarella drain and, once drained, we cut it into slices of a similar thickness to those of the tomato.

Cut the mozzarella

Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices alternately on a plate and top with basil leaves. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, add a pinch of salt, and optionally, a touch of freshly ground black pepper, which, while not essential, adds an interesting nuance and visually enhances the dish. Serve.

 

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Place the ingredients and season

Easy-to-prepare summary

  1. Slice the tomato
  2. Slice the mozzarella
  3. Arrange the tomato and mozzarella on a plate alternately, dress with dressing, garnish with basil, and serve the freshly made Caprese salad.

 

30 Best Recipes I Love Making at Home

Universal Meals: Recipes

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy keeping a mix of easy comfort food, classic international dishes, and crowd-pleasing desserts on hand.

Whenever I want something rich and indulgent, I usually go for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And when I’m craving something fruity and comforting, I always come back to this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe.

For easy breakfasts and lighter meals, I often make these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. When I need a gluten-free pantry staple, I also like preparing this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

When I’m in the mood for tapas and Mediterranean flavors, I usually rotate between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. I also love serving this crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe when I want something a little more special.

For hearty lunches and cozy dinners, I always recommend this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If I want something more filling, I’ll often make this baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Whenever I’m craving street food or party-style dishes, I usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. I also like serving these easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe as a simple appetizer or snack.

And if I’m putting together drinks and a full menu for guests, I’ll often pair dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To round everything out, I love adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing the table with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

 

More Delicious Recipes

This may contain: a group of people sitting around a table eating food

Over the years of testing and refining recipes in my own kitchen, I’ve learned that the best dishes combine simplicity, reliable techniques, and bold flavor.

The recipes in this collection are the ones I personally return to again and again—whether I’m cooking a quick meal for myself or preparing something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I often make when I want something elegant but easy. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, learning how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When I want something fresh and simple, I usually turn to the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often recommend the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I also love sharing traditional dishes from around the world, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

 

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Air fryer recipes are another category I cook regularly because they save time while still producing great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

For anyone avoiding wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe proves that classic baked pasta dishes can still be rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying without gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

 

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Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cakeCoffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado

Isabel Gaines

Author

Isabel Gaines

As a former restaurant owner turned reporter, Isabel brings a unique perspective to Grand Goldman. With decades of experience, her articles on cooking and homemaking are both informative and engaging, reflecting her deep knowledge and love for all things culinary.


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