This delicious cherry tomato caprese salad is a standout recipe! It's full of fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors.
This easy Caprese salad is the perfect summer side salad and saves well in the refrigerator so you can make it ahead of a party, BBQ, or picnic.
Emily's Recipe Notes
An Insalata Caprese is ridiculously popular for a reason - the balance of flavors with the sharp, fresh tomatoes paired with creamy mozzarella and topped with buttery olive oil and tangy balsamic can't be beat!
My take on the traditional caprese salad swaps in cherry tomatoes. They're always easy to find at the grocery store and you can even grow your own! This recipe is especially good if you want to make this salad out of season as tasty cherry tomatoes can typically be found for most of the year.
I love pairing this recipe with some some grilled chicken or fish.
Cherry Tomato Caprese Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes (or another small tomato like grape tomatoes)
- Small Mozzarella Balls (Mozzarella Pearls or Bocconcini)
- Fresh Basil Leaves
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Sea Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make a Caprese Salad
Step 1
Halve the cherry tomatoes.
Step 2
Combine the halved cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
Step 3
Gently stir till combined.
Step 4
Serve immediately in a large dish or allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes so the flavors come together.
It's best served at room temperature when the mozzarella has had some time to soak in the oil and balsamic.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are some optional swaps to make to this salad.
- Vinegar - you can use balsamic glaze, balsamic reduction, or white balsamic vinegar instead of regular balsamic vinegar.
- Mozzarella - if all you can find are the larger mozzarella balls, you can cut them into smaller pieces to use in this salad.
- Herbs - feel free to add other fresh herbs to this salad. Oregano and mint are a great addition!
Pairing & Menu Ideas
- Serve Alongside - some Easy Sautéed Chicken Thighs or Lemon Garlic Butter Baked Cod for a flavorful meal.
- Alternate Serving Ideas - toss this salad with some cooked pasta for a delicious pasta salad.
Thank You for Sharing!
If you make this Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad or any other salad recipe on This Healthy Table, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It really help to others who want to try the recipe!
For more from me, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, or subscribe for weekly emails where I share new recipes and seasonal ideas.
Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes about 3 cups, halved
- 8 ounces small mozzarella balls Pearl or Bocconcini
- ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves torn into small pieces
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, basil leaves, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Gently stir till combined.
- Serve immediately in a large dish or allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes so the flavors come together.
Leave a Reply