This Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad is simple yet flavorful, emphasizing the quality and freshness of the ingredients. It's often served as an appetizer but can also be enjoyed as a light main course or side dish, especially in the summer when heirloom tomatoes are at their peak.
My family has been making this simple Italian Caprese salad for as long as I can remember. This beloved family favorite makes its way to every holiday table, no matter the season.
Since it's almost summer here in New Jersey, I wanted to highlight the heirloom tomato- nature's answer to the boring, lifeless supermarket tomato. It adds a wonderful flavor (more sweet and intense), and most importantly, it lends a gorgeous hue of color.
Like this summer peach Caprese, this heirloom tomato salad comes together in no time. I like to serve the salad on a platter, rather than in a bowl since I often use it as an appetizer. Either way, it's a delicious and light companion to your favorite meals.
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Why heirloom tomatoes?
Heirloom tomatoes are a cultivated tomato that has been passed down through several generations due to their unique characteristics. They are known for their rich, complex flavors, varied colors, and unique shapes.
Often referred to as "ugly tomatoes", they are anything but. They come in funky shapes and sizes, fun ridges, and an amazing color palette. No two heirlooms are alike, and they are just the perfect choice for a flavorful summer Caprese.
Ingredients
This summer Caprese salad is all about fresh ingredients, so be sure to use fresh herbs and good quality ingredients.
- Heirloom tomatoes-Buy from local farmers' markets or reputable sources whenever possible. Heirloom tomatoes are often grown organically and locally, ensuring better flavor and freshness. Supermarkets also sell them as do bigger retailers like Trader Joe's. Look for vibrant deep colors with firm skin and no blemishes. If you can't find heirlooms, then go ahead and use any ripe tomato you can find.
- Mozzarella- Since this Caprese has few ingredients, fresh mozzarella is best. Choose unsalted so that you can flavor it yourself. Here is a great article highlighting the best fresh mozzarella.
- Basil- Fresh basil ties the dish together with a light, peppery taste.
- Olive oil- You can use extra virgin olive oil as well.
- Balsamic- Optional, but I always include it. Choose a good quality balsamic or balsamic glaze.
- Salt and pepper- I love finishing this Caprese with a flaky sea salt like Morton's, but a coarse Kosher salt is perfect. Use freshly ground pepper for the best taste.
Equipment
You will need nothing more than a platter for serving and a few kitchen utensils for cutting the tomatoes and cheese.
Step by step instructions
This simple salad comes together in no time. Use the visual guide below to help you achieve your prettiest salad of the summer!
Slice the tomatoes about ¼ inch thick.
Slice the mozzarella the same size, and layer then slices with the tomatoes.
Garnish with fresh basil, or layer a basil leaf in between the tomato and cheese.
Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic (if using), salt and pepper.
💡Expert tip
Use a variety of colors to highlight the beauty of the heirloom tomatoes. Try alternating the tomatoes in layers for a stunning, vibrant presentation.
Substitutions and variations
This Italian Caprese salad can be customized to your liking. Here are a few suggestions to try:
- Burrata- Swap the mozzarella for burrata. Burrata is softer and harder to layer, but it's deliciously creamy. You can even opt for a smoked mozzarella if you can find it.
- Use any type of tomato- Can't find heirlooms? Use good quality tomatoes like beefsteak or Roma. Try swapping in these roasted tomatoes for a unique spin!
- Spices- Add a little heat by finishing it with some crushed red pepper instead of the black pepper.
- Fresh or dried herbs- Play around with different aromatics such as fresh thyme or tarragon. For died herbs, oregano still retains a lot of its flavor.
- Other flavors- Try experimenting with flavored salts such as smoky sea salt.
- Pesto- Make it a pesto caprese! Try my roasted garlic pesto or this vibrant red pepper pesto.
How to serve Italian Caprese salad
There is no wrong way to serve this delicious summertime salad. My favorite way is to serve it family style, on a large platter. This way everyone grabs the amount they want.
If serving family style, choose a large oval or round serving dish, big enough to layer the cheese and tomatoes in pretty patterns. Alternately, you can make mini towers of caprese, by stacking each layer on top of each other.
As a side salad, it pairs wonderfully with sandwiches, like this summery strawberry BLT, or serve it alongside some scrambled eggs for a complete meal.
Storage and make ahead
You can prepare the heirloom Caprese ahead of time by layering the tomatoes and mozzarella on the platter you will use to serve it. Please be sure to store it in the fridge until ready to eat. Right before serving you can drizzle the olive oil, salt, pepper and balsamic over the top.
This heirloom Caprese is best eaten the day it is made, but you can store it, tightly wrapped in fridge for up to 2 days. The tomatoes will get soft, but they will still be tasty.
Frequently asked questions
A Caprese salad, or Insalata Caprese, is a traditional Italian dish that typically consists of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves, seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Heirloom tomatoes are sweeter than other tomato varieties. Their taste will also differ depending on the color, with yellow being the milder of all of them.
Heirloom tomatoes are seasonal and are available from late July to early Fall. You can find them at farmer's markets and supermarkets. They have a shorter shelf-life, and often look "ugly" with deep, craggy edges, and vary in color from purple to brown to red.
Perfect pairings
Perfect with eggs, sandwiches, or casseroles.
Made this recipe? I'd love to hear about it. Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and comment below the recipe. Snapped a photo? Tag @brunchandbatter on Instagram so I can see your creation!
📖Recipe
Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad
Equipment
- large oval or round serving platter
Ingredients
- 2-3 heirloom tomatoes (depending on size) choose a variety of colors to make it pop
- 16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese whole, not shredded
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves
- olive oil, to taste extra virgin or regular
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- good quality balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, to taste optional
Instructions
- Slice the Tomatoes and Mozzarella: Cut both the tomatoes and mozzarella into similar-sized slices, about ¼ inch thick.2-3 heirloom tomatoes (depending on size), 16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
- Arrange the Ingredients: On a plate, alternate the slices of tomato and mozzarella. Arrange fresh basil leaves between the slices or scatter them on top. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over the salad. Lastly, top with with balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze (if using). Serve immediately.olive oil, to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste, good quality balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze, to taste, 6-8 fresh basil leaves
Notes
Nutrition*
*Nutrition information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Actual values may vary based on ingredients, measurements, and substitutions.
Mary says
Changing regular tomatoes to heirlooms really takes this up a notch!