Caprese Salad with Balsamic Dressing

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You already know you want a Caprese salad. Great choice. But before you settle for another watered-down vinaigrette or generic balsamic drizzle, let me stop you right there. This Caprese Salad with Balsamic Dressing actually brings flavor to the party. It’s punchy. It’s balanced. And it’s the only thing you’ll want drizzled over those fresh tomatoes and creamy mozzarella.

 

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Ingredient Notes

Here’s what you need for the best-tasting Caprese salad and balsamic dressing combo:

• Bocconcini – Fresh mozzarella balls are perfect for soaking up all that balsamic goodness.
• Grape tomatoes – Sweet and juicy, and easy to slice. Cherry tomatoes work too.
• Fresh basil leaves – Chiffonade these for a pop of flavor and color.
• Black pepper – Freshly cracked is non-negotiable.
• Garlic – One clove, grated. Trust me, it’s the secret weapon in the dressing.
• Dijon mustard – Adds tang and depth without overpowering.
• Balsamic vinegar – This is where the magic starts.
• Olive oil – Use a good extra virgin olive oil if you have it.
• Salt & pepper – Season to taste.

Fun Fact: Traditionally, just a balsamic reduction, balsamic glaze or vinaigrette is used on a caprese salad. I really love the added flavors in this garlic mustard balsamic dressing, so I opted to use it in this recipe!

How to Make Caprese Salad with Balsamic Dressing

One thing that actually makes my heart go pitter-patter is a really good salad. More specifically, this easy Caprese salad. This Italian side salad is delicious on its own, but particularly good with my homemade garlic balsamic dressing. SO so tasty! For full recipe details including ingredient measurements, see the recipe card down below. Follow these quick and simple steps to make your tasty salad.

Step 1: Assemble the Salad

Place bocconcini (mini mozzarella balls) and ripe tomatoes on a serving platter, arranging them in blocks of color. Sprinkle the fresh basil all over. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Step 2: Make the Dressing and Serve

Measure out garlic, dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and black pepper into a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake it up to emulsify, then drizzle it over the salad. Again, makes for a great presentation!

Tools You’ll Need

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this fresh Caprese salad. These simple essentials help prep the ingredients quickly and mix the balsamic dressing with ease.

• Chef’s knife – A sharp chef’s knife makes it easy to slice the tomatoes into even pieces for a beautiful presentation.
• Prep bowls – Use prep bowls to hold the sliced ingredients and chopped basil before assembling the salad. They keep everything organized and make layering the salad quicker.
• Small jar with lid – Shake the balsamic dressing in a small jar with a lid for a smooth, well-combined vinaigrette in seconds.
• Measuring cups and spoons – Measuring cups and spoons help you get the right balance of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings so the dressing tastes just right every time.

Tips for Success

• Want even more flavor? Drizzle with a second batch of balsamic vinaigrette just before serving
• Let your fresh mozzarella cheese come to room temperature before serving
• Don’t drown the salad – use just enough dressing to coat
• Use a sharp knife to slice your tomatoes cleanly
• Look for ripe tomatoes at the farmer’s market or use your own garden haul
• This salad is best with natural ingredients – skip anything too processed
• You could add a protein to this salad to make it a meal. My super crispy Chicken Parmesan or Homemade Spaghetti and Meatballs would be super tasty with this salad.

What to Serve With Caprese Salad

Caprese salad pairs well with everything from grilled meats to pasta and crusty bread. Here are a few recipes that make a great match for this fresh, flavorful side.

• Parmesan Baked Cod – Flaky baked cod and fresh Caprese salad make a light, satisfying meal. The crisp, fresh ingredients balance the rich Parmesan crust.
• Lemon Chicken Pasta – Bright lemon flavors pair beautifully with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. This combination feels fresh and filling without being too heavy.
• Homemade Lasagna – A fresh Caprese salad adds a cool, refreshing contrast to rich, cheesy lasagna. It’s an easy way to round out an Italian-inspired dinner.
• Stromboli – Warm, cheesy stromboli and a fresh tomato salad are always a winning combination. The balsamic dressing cuts through the richness of the filling.
• Homemade Garlic Bread – Crisp garlic bread is perfect for soaking up every drop of the balsamic dressing. It also adds a satisfying crunch to the meal.
• Crispy Chicken Parmesan – Crispy chicken Parmesan and Caprese salad create a classic Italian-style meal. The fresh salad balances the rich tomato sauce and melted cheese.

Storage + Make Ahead Directions

This salad tastes best when freshly made and assembled. Plus it’s super quick to throw together.

Make Ahead– This salad side dish is easy to make ahead! Just be sure to store the dressing separately and as much moisture is removed from the fresh mozzarella as possible. Moisture tends to ruin the integrity of the other ingredients, so making sure there isn’t much is key. Right before serving, top with dressing.

Can you freeze it? No. This is a fresh produce situation.

Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The tomatoes might get a little soggy, but it still works as a quick lunch.

Extra dressing? Keep it in the fridge for up to a week. Shake it up before the next drizzle.

FAQs

Variations

Try one of these simple twists to make this recipe work for you:

• Use mozzarella slices or mozzarella pearls instead of bocconcini
• Swap grape tomatoes with heirloom tomatoes or thick slices of fresh tomatoes
• Add a balsamic reduction drizzle for a sweeter touch
• No basil? Try a bit of sweet basil pesto
• Make it a main course by serving it over arugula with grilled chicken

More Italian Recipes to Try!

• Italian Pasta Salad
• World’s BEST Lasagna 🙂
• Stuffed Shellls without Ricotta (I used cottage cheese in mine!)
• Lasagna Soup
• 3-ingredient Alfredo Sauce
• Homemade Garlic Bread

This simple Italian salad doesn’t need much, but this balsamic dressing brings it all together in the best way. Save this recipe for your next batch of fresh caprese salad. Printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.