Classic Caprese Salad

Name: Classic Caprese Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced 1cm thick; 250g fresh mozzarella (buffalo or cow milk), sliced; 1 cup fresh basil leaves; Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling; Aged balsamic vinegar (optional); Flaky sea salt to taste; Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Published: June 29, 2026 | Italian Cuisine | ⏱ 10 min

Classic caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil

Caprese salad is the essence of Italian cooking — ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, and the finest extra virgin olive oil. Hailing from the island of Capri, this no-cook salad celebrates the quality of its ingredients. When tomatoes are at their peak, there is no better summer dish.

Recipe Info

Prep Time10 min

Cook Time0 min

Total Time10 min

Servings4

DifficultyEasy

CuisineItalian

4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced 1cm thick
250g fresh mozzarella (buffalo or cow milk), sliced
1 cup fresh basil leaves
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Aged balsamic vinegar (optional)
Flaky sea salt to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

2 Instructions

Arrange the salad

Alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella on a serving platter, slightly overlapping.

Add basil and seasoning

Tuck fresh basil leaves between the slices. Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil.

Finish and serve

Season with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Add a drizzle of aged balsamic if desired. Serve at room temperature.

Pro Tips

Use the best tomatoes you can find. Heirloom vine-ripened or San Marzano tomatoes are ideal.
Bring the mozzarella to room temperature before serving for the best flavour and texture.
Do not refrigerate after assembling. Caprese salad is best served within 30 minutes of making.

Nutrition Information

Calories	280 kcal
Protein	14g
Fat	20g
Saturated Fat	10g
Carbohydrates	8g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	5g
Sodium	320mg

* Nutritional values are approximate and based on per-serving calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is best served fresh. If needed, slice tomatoes and mozzarella separately and assemble just before serving to prevent sogginess.

Buffalo mozzarella is traditional and has a creamier texture, but fresh cow milk mozzarella also works wonderfully.

Rating

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.5 (156 votes)

About the Author

Stephanie Grine

Recipe Developer & Food Enthusiast

I am a passionate home cook who believes that great food brings people together. Every recipe on TodayFoodsMenu is developed, tested, and photographed in my home kitchen — not a professional test...

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