Caprese Salad Recipe with Balsamic Dressing - Lauren's Latest (2024)

FAQs

How long does caprese salad last in the fridge? ›

To Make Ahead: This easy Caprese salad is definitely best served fresh but it can stay in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you need to make it ahead of time, slice the mozzarella and tomatoes and store them separately in the refrigerator.

Extra-virgin olive oil

And yet again, quality is crucial – olive oil can make or break the Caprese so use top-quality extra-virgin olive oil.

If you don't eat cheese, just leave out the mozzarella or add avocado – it is satisfying and substantial and you will get a similar flavor from the fresh basil, olive oil and vinegar. If you have bush basil (the tiny leaf variety), you can use it in place of the traditional Genovese basil.

What is Caprese Salad? “Insalata Caprese” literally means “the salad of Capri” which is an Italian island. Caprese salad is typically made by layering slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil, then seasoned to perfection, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sometimes a balsamic glaze.

How long does Balsamic Vinaigrette last? You can store this in the fridge for 2 weeks. It may last a little longer than that, but because the garlic is fresh, you want to make sure it doesn't go bad.

Health Benefits of Caprese Salad:

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects against cancer and heart disease. Mozzarella cheese is a great source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Basil leaves contain essential oils that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

As long as it's good and ripe, you can use just about any type of fresh tomato to make Caprese salad. Heirloom tomatoes make a really gorgeous salad, but any slicing tomato is delicious here. If you use smaller tomatoes, like cherry or grape tomatoes, just halve 'em.

When selecting tomatoes, choose fragrant ones that smell earthy at the stem end and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any with wrinkled skins. You can also make a caprese with smaller tomato varieties, such as plum, roma, cherry, grape, or sungold.

Sweet peppers like red, orange and yellow bells stand in for tomatoes in this caprese-style salad and pair deliciously with the fresh mozzarella and acidic balsamic drizzle. Try green bell peppers if you prefer less sweetness. This easy, healthy recipe takes just 20 minutes to make.

Spinach, particularly baby spinach, can be a great substitute for basil in dishes where the herb would be served raw, like pesto or Caprese salads. Spinach provides similar color and texture to fresh basil, although it lacks some of the herb's aromatic nuance.

What's the difference between burrata and caprese? ›

Burrata is a soft cheese ball with a creamy center, whereas caprese is a simple Italian salad that can be made with either burrata or fresh mozzarella. What is the difference between burrata and mozzarella? Burrata and mozzarella are both creamy, white, semi-soft Italian cheeses very similar in appearance.

Some people swear by a mixture of soy sauce and grape jelly—or you may try tinkering with a blend of soy sauce, lemon juice, and molasses. Again, these substitutes can be used in the same amounts as balsamic vinegar in recipes. Just taste as you go to assess the flavor of your substitute.

Everyone loves this colorful combination and it's easy to see why in its artful balance of flavors: creamy, milky mozzarella takes on the tomato's acidity and the sweetly herbaceous basil, where the extra virgin olive oil adds a mild fruitiness that brings it all together. It's like they were made for each other!

With proper storage in a refrigerator, mozzarella cheese can last for up to one to two weeks. In a freezer, mozzarella cheese can last longer, up to approximately three months. If you find any change of shape, color, taste, and aroma of any part of the cheese, cut and throw away that part.

Combine the tomatoes, herbs and onions in a bowl and mix well. Put the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl and mix together. Set the dressing aside if you wish to make the salad ahead of time. The salad stores in the fridge for up to 2 days.

How long does an opened bottle of Italian dressing last in the refrigerator? That is a good question. An opened bottle if stored properly in the fridge will last usually about 8–9 months.

For an unopened package of fresh mozzarella, you can expect it to last 1-2 weeks past the printed sell-by date if refrigerated. Once the package is opened, this cheese needs to be used within 1 week. If you choose to freeze fresh mozzarella, it can extend its lifespan to about 2 months.