"Why Would You Need a Recipe for Caprese Salad?" (Here’s Why I Wrote One Anyway)

Caprese, in its simplicity, is a dish with nowhere to hide

“Why Would You Need a Recipe for Caprese Salad?”

That’s what someone commented on my TikTok cooking tutorial. And I get it. On the surface, Caprese salad is simple: just a few ingredients, no fancy techniques. But I cannot tell you how many disappointing, bland, and just plain wrong Caprese salads I’ve had. Layers of balsamic glaze. Unsalted, unripe tomatoes. A sad drizzle of olive oil.

Caprese, in its simplicity, is a dish with nowhere to hide, where every element has to be just right. It’s all about curating the best ingredients and treating them with care. Yes, fresh, high-quality produce can be pricey (in this economy?!), but luckily, this recipe keeps the shopping list short.

Crusty Italian bread is the perfect accompaniment

And let’s not forget that Caprese isn’t just delicious, it’s quintessentially Italian. With its vibrant red, white, and green, it mirrors the Italian flag, a symbol of simple yet perfect flavors that stand the test of time.

Here’s my Italian father’s tried-and-tested recipe for the ultimate Caprese salad, plus 10 rules that will have your guests begging for more.

10 Rules for the Perfect Caprese Salad:

1. Use the best ingredients: ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, and Italian buffalo mozzarella (or burrata).

2. Slice tomatoes thick and even.

3. Use a serrated knife - it makes cutting easier and cleaner.

4. Pre-salt & pre-oil your tomatoes in a bowl - this draws out their natural sweetness.

5. Tear, don’t cut, the basil. Cutting bruises the leaves, dulling their color and flavor.

6. Pour the tomato juices & olive oil over the salad. Don’t waste that liquid gold!

7. Swap buffalo mozzarella for burrata to elevate the dish.

8. If using burrata, slice into quarters and drizzle with olive oil + salt.

9. Garnish with fresh basil - always in the center for that classic look.

10. Serve with crusty Italian bread, rubbed with garlic, for the perfect scarpetta tool.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 4-6 vine-ripened tomatoes

• 10-15 fresh basil leaves

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Kosher salt

• Crusty Italian bread (optional)

• Garlic clove (optional - for bread)

Method:

1. Slice the tomatoes into thick rounds.

2. Toss them in a bowl with olive oil and kosher salt. Let sit so the flavors meld.

3. Arrange tomato slices on a plate. If using buffalo mozzarella, cut into thick slices and alternate with tomatoes.

4. Hand-tear the basil into the bowl with leftover tomato juices.

5. Drizzle the tomato juice & basil mixture over the tomatoes.

6. If using burrata, place it in the center and slice into quarters.

7. Finish with olive oil, salt, and garnish with fresh basil.

8. If serving with crusty bread, toast it in a pan with olive oil and rub it with a clove of fresh garlic.

So, do you need a recipe for a Caprese salad? That’s for you to decide. But if you want to make one that’s truly next-level, this is how you do it.

Love this recipe? I’m selling Caprese Salad prints and recipe sticker sheets!

My Caprese salad recipe sticker sheet