Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze
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In this jazzed up Caprese salad, a balsamic glaze adds a pop of tangy-sweet flavor to every bite.
I love Caprese salads but sometimes they can be a little bland. The classic recipe calls for just a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkling of salt and pepper to flavor the salad, so as not to mask the delicate flavor of the mozzarella, but I like to add just a bit more oomph. I start by sprinkling the tomatoes with a pinch of sugar, which brings out their natural sweetness. (I know this may seem like cheating but don’t feel guilty—even fancy restaurants use this trick!) Then, I drizzle a dark and syrupy balsamic glaze over top, which not only looks gorgeous but also adds a pop of tangy-sweet flavor to every bite.
What You’ll Need To Make Caprese Salad
If you’re a lazy summer cook like I am, you’ll be happy to know that the recipe calls for a store-bought balsamic glaze. Feel free to make your own but it’s really not necessary: store-bought tastes delicious, you only need a tablespoon or two, and the bottle will keep forever in your pantry.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by sprinkling the tomatoes with sugar and half of the salt. Let them sit for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves, then arrange them on a platter, alternating with the mozzarella. Sprinkle the salad with the remaining salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Drizzle with about a tablespoon of olive oil, followed by the same amount of the balsamic glaze. Try to use a light hand with the glaze; a little goes a long way and too much will drown out all of the other fresh flavors. As for the basil, many Caprese salads call for whole basil leaves; I find them a bit too strong unless they are small, but feel free use them if you like.
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Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze
In this jazzed up Caprese salad, a balsamic glaze adds a pop of tangy-sweet flavor to every bite.
Ingredients
- 3 heirloom or vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into ¼-inch slices
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into ¼-inch slices (pre-sliced is fine)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Balsamic glaze (store-bought), for drizzling
- ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh basil, plus more whole sprigs to garnish the platter
Instructions
- Arrange the tomato slices on a cutting board. Sprinkle with sugar and ¼ teaspoon of the salt and let sit for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Arrange the sliced tomatoes on a serving platter, alternating with the sliced mozzarella. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over top, followed by an equal amount of the balsamic glaze (it's fine to just eyeball it). Scatter the roughly chopped basil over top. Garnish the platter with sprigs of fresh basil, if desired.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 264
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Sodium: 672 mg
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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This salad is perfect for summer dishes. It’s fresh and light enough to not weigh you down! I had NEVER thought of adding sugar until trying this recipe, it makes a huge difference!
Sugar and salt made a world of difference. This was bursting with flavor!
I made this salad and loved it. With the August crop of fresh native tomatoes, this one is one to make TONIGHT. I have balsamic glaze from William Sonoma (i found it a couple times at their outlet store) but you can even sprinkle the dish with good balsamic vinegar w/o reducing it and it will be tasty!!
Jenn, I always learn something when I read your recipes because you are so good to share your culinary training tips. Thank you. Have made caprese salad many times, but never thought to sprinkle a little sugar over the tomatoes. It does make a difference. Your take on caprese salad is wonderful.
On the fourth store, I finally found balsamic glaze for this recipe. Now, having struggled to locate it, how else can I use it?
Hi Jess, It keeps for a long time so don’t stress about using it up quickly. That said, it is so delicious on simply grilled chicken, steak or salmon 🙂
Made this for a dinner party this past weekend and loved the addition of the sugar/salt mixture. It made it so easy to buy the basalmic mixture.
Hi. Is there any way to make the balsamic glaze at home? Thank’s.
Hi Ruben, Here’s a link to a recipe: https://www.onceuponachef.com/2013/02/balsamic-glazed-roasted-beets.html
Regards. If I do not get the balsamic glaze at the supermarket, I can do? How it’s made?
Hi Carlos, Here you go: https://www.onceuponachef.com/2013/02/balsamic-glazed-roasted-beets.html
This is a fantastic salad! The touch of sugar is a great suggestion, as it really brings the flavors in the tomatoes to life. I used a variety of Heirloom tomatoes to add not only color to the dish but to add to the flavors in the salad. I did add one ingredient, I finished the salad with a dash of Tony Chachere’s original Creole Seasoning. This salad is now a family favorite. Delicious
Ah Caprese Salad,a reminder of my summer tomatoe garden ..Thank You !
Delicious as well as healthy ….