Easy Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Use ripe cherry tomatoes and high-quality ingredients to create the best-tasting Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad. This simple and tasty Italian appetizer takes very little time to make. You can also enjoy it as a main meal.

Jump to:

• Introduction
• What is Caprese Salad?
• Why use Cherry Tomatoes?
• How to Make Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
• Tips
• FAQ
• More Italian appetizers
• Serving suggestion
• Recipe origin
• Recipe

Introduction

Italian cuisine is dedicated to using fresh, simple, high-quality ingredients.

Whether it is a classic Margherita pizza, or a more elaborate dish like parmigiana di melanzane, commonly referred to as baked eggplant parmesan, the focus is always on using the best ingredients and letting them shine.

This philosophy extends to salads as well. A prime example is this Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes.

What is Caprese Salad?

A classic Caprese salad is an Italian dish that traditionally consists of fresh mozzarella, sun-kissed tomatoes, garden fresh sweet basil, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. It is named for the Island of Capri, where it is said to have originated.

Over the years, Caprese salad has evolved. While the classic version is still very popular, you will now find variations that include everything from the addition of balsamic glaze to avocado to grilled chicken.

This recipe calls for cherry tomatoes in place of the usual heirloom variety.

Why use Cherry Tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes are incredibly versatile and delicious. They can be easily skewered and served as an appetizer, transformed into a roasted tomato sauce, grilled alongside other Italian vegetables to create a delicious vegetable side dish, or a simple addition to an Italian potato salad for a burst of flavor and color.

They are the star of the show in this perfect summer salad. The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes pairs perfectly with the creamy mozzarella and the earthy basil. A drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil pulls all the vibrant flavors together.

Although this dish is incredibly simple, it is important to use good quality ingredients to get the best results. That means using fresh mozzarella, in-season cherry tomatoes and good-quality olive oil.

How to Make Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

The beauty of this dish is its simplicity. You can create a delicious and healthy salad with just a few ingredients and 4 simple steps.

Step 1: Prep the fresh tomatoes

Start by placing about 1-1½ pounds (about 3 cups) of colorful cherry tomatoes in a colander. Rinse them with cool water and then let them drain well. Dry them off with a clean tea towel.

Next, slice them in half using a serrated knife. Cut the tomatoes from top to bottom. If you use larger cherry tomatoes, you may want to quarter them instead.

Spread them out on a large serving platter. Season lightly with a little salt.

Step 2: Add the mozzarella cheese

Next, we will add the fresh, whole milk mozzarella balls, cow’s milk or buffalo. For this recipe, you will need a total of 8 ounces. For a visually appealing salad, tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces. You can also cut the mozzarella balls into quarters if you prefer.

Add the torn fresh mozzarella to the platter with the cherry tomatoes.

Step 3: Add some fragrant basil

Now, it’s time to add the fresh basil leaves. There are a few options.

You can tear the basil leaves into smaller pieces or leave them whole, which is how I decided to garnish my salad. Smaller basil leaves work best. 

If desired, you can also create a basil chiffonade. This is a fancy way of saying basil ribbons. To create, stack the basil leaves on top of each other. Roll them up tightly and then slice the roll into thin strips. This creates long, thin ribbons of basil that you can garnish the salad with.

Step 4: Let’s season properly

The last step is to season the salad.

Start by drizzling extra-virgin olive oil over the top. You can use a spoon or a measuring cup with a pour spout. I like to use about ¼ cup, but you can adjust according to your taste.

After adding the olive oil, season with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. 

Allow to stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Use the best quality ingredients you can find. This means using fresh mozzarella, in-season ripe tomatoes, and high-quality olive oil.
• Cutting the cherry tomatoes in half makes it easier for them to release their juices and mix them with the other simple ingredients. It is also easier for your fork to pierce through a cut cherry tomato than a whole one.
• Properly season the tomatoes and mozzarella with salt and pepper to taste. This will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
• Use room temperature mozzarella for the best flavor.
• Tear the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces for a more visually appealing salad.
• Tear your basil with your hands rather than using a knife to slow the oxidation process. This will keep your basil looking green and healthy for a slightly longer period.
• If you’re looking to make a basil chiffonade, use a plastic knife instead of a metal one–this will prevent bruising the leaves.

FAQ

More Italian appetizers

Another great Italian appetizer that features tomatoes is bruschetta. This dish is made by toasting bread and then topping it with a mixture of chopped tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and basil.

Looking for more Italian appetizer ideas? Check out our collection of easy Italian appetizers, from classics like Caprese salad to giardiniera to modern twists on old favorites, like this caponata recipe.

Serving suggestion

Recipe origin

Insalata Caprese was one of my mom’s signature dishes. I can still recall my mom making this cherry tomato salad on hot summer days with little effort. She would use the fresh ingredients from the backyard garden to create a delicious salad.

It’s no wonder this is one of my favorite salads.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

★★★★★ If you have made this easy Caprese salad recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe