3-Step Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad with Grilled Bread
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This three-step heirloom tomato caprese salad with grilled bread is a simple summer salad that lets peak-season tomatoes take center stage. Juicy heirloom and cherry tomatoes are paired with fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, extra-virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, then served with slices of grilled French bread for scooping up all the flavorful juices. The key to this classic Italian-inspired salad is using the best-quality ingredients you can find, particularly ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and good olive oil.
This no-cook recipe comes together in just 10 minutes, making it an easy appetizer or side dish for summer entertaining, backyard dinners, and casual meals. For more ways to use summer produce, try my heirloom tomato and grilled veggie salad with burrata and the peach and tomato mozzarella salad with crispy prosciutto for your next get-together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Peak summer flavor – Ripe heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella, and quality olive oil create a simple salad where every ingredient stands out.
- Quick and easy – This caprese salad comes together in about 10 minutes with no cooking required.
- Perfect for entertaining – Arrange the colorful tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a platter and serve with grilled bread for an effortless summer appetizer or side.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Heirloom Tomato – With their superior flavor, heirloom tomatoes come from seeds passed down and are typically at least 50 years old. Look for a variety of colors. If you like heirloom tomatoes check out these 21 recipes using summer tomatoes. I always recommend salting tomatoes or marinating them before adding them to sandwiches.
- Mozzarella – Use fresh mozzarella cheese in this recipe. The fresher the better! Cut the mozzarella in to slices or tear into pieces for a more rustic look. For a creamier twist, swap burrata for the mozzarella.
- Basil – Basil leaves stay freshest when they’re on the plant so I recommend growing your own or getting a potted basil plant from the grocery store. Simply pinch the leaves off at the stem.
- Olive oil – While all olive oil comes from the fruit of olive trees, it’s not all created equal. Extra-virgin olive oil is unrefined and made from pure, cold-pressed olives, giving it more of a true olive taste. Regular olive oil is made from a blend of both cold-pressed and processed oils. I typically cook with extra-virgin olive oil when deciding between the two. This is a great way to use any fancy, high quality olive oil you’ve been saving. The simple flavors can shine in this salad.
- Salt – I prefer to sprinkle a finishing salt with larger crystals like Maldon flaky sea salt over this caprese salad for more concentrated flavor.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pro Tip
Salt the tomatoes before assembling the salad and let them sit for a few minutes. This draws out some of their juices and concentrates their flavor while creating a delicious tomato dressing that mixes with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Swaps & Substitutions
- Tomatoes: Use any combination of ripe heirloom, beefsteak, cherry, or grape tomatoes depending on what is available.
- Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella can be replaced with mozzarella pearls or creamy burrata for a richer variation.
- Basil: Substitute fresh basil with a few spoonfuls of pesto for a different take on the classic caprese flavors.
- Balsamic vinegar: Use aged balsamic vinegar for a sweeter, more concentrated flavor, or substitute with a balsamic glaze for a thicker finish.
- Bread: Serve with grilled French bread, sourdough, ciabatta, or another sturdy crusty bread.
How to Make This Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad (Step-by-Step)
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese into ¼”-thick slices.
Arrange the mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves on a large platter.
Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the top. Season with salt to taste. Serve at room temperature.
How to Serve This Recipe
- As an appetizer: Arrange the salad on a large platter and serve with grilled French bread for scooping up the tomatoes, mozzarella, and dressing.
- As a side dish: Serve alongside grilled chicken, steak, fish, or other summer mains.
- At room temperature: Let the ingredients come to room temperature before serving so the tomatoes and mozzarella have their best flavor.
- For entertaining: Arrange alternating slices of tomato, mozzarella, and basil on a platter for a classic caprese presentation.
- With extra olive oil: Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra-virgin olive oil just before serving.
How to Store This Recipe
- Refrigeration: Store leftover caprese salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Before serving: Let refrigerated leftovers sit at room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
- Grilled bread: Store grilled bread separately in an airtight container at room temperature and reheat or toast before serving.
- Best texture: For the best texture, assemble only as much salad as you plan to eat since the tomatoes will release more liquid as they sit.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Heirloom tomato caprese salad is best assembled shortly before serving, but the tomatoes can be sliced and the other ingredients prepared in advance. For the freshest texture, drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad just before serving.
Caprese salad is best served at room temperature. Allowing the tomatoes and fresh mozzarella to warm slightly brings out their natural flavors and makes the olive oil and basil more aromatic.
Heirloom tomato caprese salad with grilled bread works well as an appetizer or side dish alongside grilled meats, seafood, sandwiches, pasta, or other summer dishes. The grilled bread also makes it substantial enough for a light lunch.
To keep heirloom tomato caprese salad from getting watery, use ripe but firm tomatoes and avoid assembling the salad too far in advance. Lightly salting the tomatoes before serving helps draw out excess moisture while concentrating their flavor. Drain any excess liquid before adding the mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
Fresh mozzarella is the best choice for heirloom tomato caprese salad with grilled bread because its soft, creamy texture complements the juicy tomatoes. Fresh mozzarella balls, ciliegine, or sliced mozzarella can all be used, while burrata is a richer alternative.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed the flavors of this easy heirloom tomato caprese salad recipe, take a look at some of my other favorite recipes:
- Heirloom Tomato and Grilled Veggie Salad with Burrata
- Caprese Sandwich
- Heirloom Tomato, Prosciutto and Burrata with Garlic-Basil Oil
- Peach and Tomato Mozzarella Salad with Crispy Prosciutto
- Heirloom Tomato Galette with Caramelized Onion & Ricotta Cheese
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Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad with Grilled Bread
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Ingredients:
- 2 large heirloom tomatoes
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 6 ounces fresh mozzarella
- 10 leaves fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt to taste
- Slices of grilled French bread for serving
Instructions:
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese into ¼”-thick slices. Arrange the mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves on a large platter.
- Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the top. Season with salt to taste. Serve at room temperature.
Notes:
Nutrition:
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