Caprese Salad
Caprese has nowhere to hide: three ingredients, oil and salt, so it lives or dies on quality. You want truly ripe, fragrant tomatoes and fresh mozzarella that weeps a little milk when you cut it. We let the salted tomatoes sit for a few minutes first — they turn sweeter and juicier.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Rest
- 10 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Easy
- Per serving
- 285 kcal
Ingredients
Makes: 4 servings
Shopping list
The ingredients for the servings you chose — copy them or send them to a messenger. Tick what you already have at home: only the rest goes on the list.
Method
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Step 1: Slice the tomatoes
Slice the tomatoes into rounds about 1 cm thick with a sharp or serrated knife so you don't crush the flesh. Cut out the tough core at the stem end.
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Step 2: Salt and wait
Lay the slices on a plate, sprinkle lightly with salt and leave for 10 minutes. They'll release some juice and taste noticeably more intense.
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Step 3: Prep the mozzarella
Lift the mozzarella out of its brine, pat dry with paper towels and slice into rounds the same thickness as the tomatoes.
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Step 4: Arrange the platter
On a long platter, overlap alternating slices of tomato and mozzarella, tucking basil leaves between them. Pour any tomato juice from the plate over the top.
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Step 5: Dress and serve
Drizzle with olive oil and finish with flaky salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve straight away, while the mozzarella is at room temperature and at its softest.
Tips & variations
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Tip
Take the mozzarella out of the fridge 20–30 minutes ahead: straight from the cold it's rubbery and almost tasteless.
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Tip
Don't cut the basil with a knife — whole or hand-torn leaves won't blacken.
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Variation
Try burrata instead of mozzarella: set it whole in the middle of the platter surrounded by tomatoes.
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Storage
Caprese doesn't keep — assemble it just before serving.
Nutrition
| 1 serving | Whole dish 4 servings | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 285 kcal | 1,140 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g | 48 g |
| Fat | 23 g | 92 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g | 28 g |
Approximate values calculated from standard ingredient data.
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