This cherry caprese salad doesn’t even pretend to be complicated. Grab some ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and you’re halfway to a meal that honestly feels like summer spilled onto your plate. Every bite has that sharp pop of tomato, silky cheese, and just enough basil to remind you what fresh is supposed to taste like. I go back to this caprese salad recipe with cherry tomatoes any time I want something that looks fancy but barely takes any effort.

Active Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

You really don’t need a list a mile long for the best caprese salad with cherry tomatoes:

• Two cups cherry tomatoes, halved (go for all the colors)
• 200 grams mozzarella balls, those small collegine ones if you can find them
• A bunch of basil leaves, torn with your hands
• Two tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• One tablespoon balsamic glaze, or a glug of balsamic vinegar
• Pinches of salt — use more than you think you need
• Cracked black pepper

Instructions

I like recipes that don’t fuss. This cherry caprese salad is basically “toss and go.”

Preparation

Slice up your tomatoes. Halve them, don’t overthink it. Drain your mozzarella, pat dry, and get your basil leaves ready — don’t chop, just tear. It looks better and somehow the flavor feels bigger.

Cooking

You aren’t turning on the stove for this one. In a shallow bowl, scatter the tomatoes and cheese together. Drop basil leaves over everything. Drizzle olive oil like you mean it, then streak some balsamic glaze across the top. Salt and pepper, and let it sit for a couple of minutes so the flavors kick in.

Serving

This is meant to be eaten with friends — spoon it out onto plates or leave it on the table with a big fork. Some days I serve it with hunks of crusty bread just for mopping up that leftover olive oil. Other times, I grab a fork and eat straight from the bowl.

Nutritional Value Per One Serving

Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220
Total Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg
Sodium: 320 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 8 g
Dietary Fiber: 2 g
Sugars: 5 g
Protein: 11 g

Tips and Variations

Salads shouldn’t be boring. Cherry caprese salad practically begs for a twist.

• Toss in chunks of ripe peach or even a few strawberries
• Burrata cheese for the days you want to be decadent
• Pine nuts, toasted in a hot pan and scattered over the top
• A hit of chili flakes if you’re feeling bold

Some versions are different, and every batch is its own thing.

Conclusion

This caprese salad using cherry tomatoes is summer on a fork. The whole thing is over before you know it, and somehow you’re already reaching for seconds. Some recipes just stick with you. This one always finds its way back to my table.

Hungry for more? Explore our handpicked collection of delicious salad recipes.