Fresh Caprese Salad Recipe with Sweet Balsamic Glaze
A quick and easy fresh Caprese salad featuring ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and a homemade sweet balsamic glaze. Perfect for summer gatherings and light meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup ripe Roma or heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the balsamic glaze: Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons (28 g) of brown sugar. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thick and syrupy. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into 1/4-inch (6 mm) thick rounds, keeping slices uniform.
- Arrange the salad by alternating tomato and mozzarella slices on a serving platter, slightly overlapping. Tuck fresh basil leaves between the slices.
- Lightly drizzle 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of extra virgin olive oil over the arranged slices.
- Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Drizzle the sweet balsamic glaze over the entire salad.
- Let the salad sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
Use a serrated knife for slicing tomatoes to avoid crushing. Pat tomatoes dry if watery to prevent sogginess. Slice mozzarella while cold for better shape retention. Simmer balsamic glaze gently and stir often to avoid burning. Let salad rest at room temperature before serving for best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (150 g)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 8
Keywords: Caprese salad, balsamic glaze, fresh mozzarella, summer salad, easy salad recipe, Italian salad, fresh tomatoes, basil