This low-lift salad showcases ripe summer produce and couldn’t be easier to make.

What Are the Ingredients for Caprese Salad?

Caprese salad is made with just three basic ingredientstomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella.

Table Setting With a Platter of Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella All on a Yellow Placemat. a Plate With a Serving of Caprese Salad, Two Glasses of Water, Piece of a Baguette on the Table, and Small Bite Pieces on Various Parts of the Table

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

What Are Heirloom Tomatoes?

They cost more, too, but they’re worth it!

They’re juicy and have wonderful flavor.

Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

So taste your olive oil!

If it tastes like old peanuts or crayons, it’s rancidthrow it out.

If it doesn’t taste like much of anything, and feels greasy in your mouth?

Olive Oil Drizzled Onto Platter of Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella, and in the Background, a Basil Plant

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

It’s lost all the quality attributes that allowed it to be labeled “extra.”

A fresh high quality olive oil should taste fresh, and often peppery or grassy.

What To Serve With Caprese Salad?

Platter of Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella Next to a Plate With a Serving, All on a Yellow Placemat

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

How Far Ahead Can You Make Caprese Salad?

Make Caprese salad just before you plan to serve it.

Tomatoes can become mealy and lose their flavor if refrigerated for too long.

Salt Sprinkled Onto Heirloom Tomato Slices on a Cutting Board With a Small Bowl of More Salt for Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Got Tomatoes?

So scale the recipe up or down accordingly.

If you are serving 4 people, you’ll need about 4 medium-sized tomatoes or 2 large tomatoes.

Heirloom Tomato Slices Plated With Sliced Mozzarella and Topped With Basil Leaves (Some Whole, Some Broken into Pieces)

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

(These proportions yield a generously portioned salad.)

For a completely different flavor, you’re able to substitute the mozzarella with thin slices of Parmesan.

Feel free to omit the balsamic vinegar if you want highlight more of the flavor of the tomatoes.

Olive Oil Drizzled Onto Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella Topped With Cracked Pepper

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Assemble the salad by arranging alternating slices of tomatoes, basil leaves, and mozzarella slices.

Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the salad.

Add a dash of balsamic vinegar, if using.

Sprinkle lightly with pepper.

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