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Grape Tomato Caprese Salad is a festive and simple side dish. Elevate the classic flavor combination with roasted grape or cherry tomatoes!
Looking for an impressive salad to serve with chicken, beef, or just about any dinner...from a holiday party to a casual summer barbecue?
You can't go wrong with the Italian-inspired combination of fresh tomatoes, sweet basil, creamy mozzarella cheese, and tangy balsamic glaze, also known as a Caprese salad or "insalata caprese."
Just 5 simple ingredients come together to make the perfect salad!
Typically, classic Caprese salad is made with slices of ripe tomato. But I've become partial to grape tomatoes because they're almost always available and comparatively inexpensive to other types of tomatoes.
Not a big fan of this tomato? Use your favorite. Or take the extra step to caramelize them, which makes the traditional Caprese salad recipe next-level tasty!
Roasting grape tomatoes brings out the sweet flavor. And you'll find yourself adding them to dishes for color and a pop of juicy tomato all the time.
Ingredients
You'll need just a few fresh ingredients to make Grape Tomato Caprese Salad:
- Grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes are easy to caramelize in the oven. However, fresh tomatoes of any variety, including Roma tomatoes, can be used in this recipe.
- Fresh mozzarella cheese - see various options below.
- Fresh Basil - check out our hack to quickly cut it into strips below.
- Balsamic glaze - Buy a bottle at the store or make some using the instructions below. Use your favorite balsamic dressing in a pinch.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil is used to roast the tomatoes.
Sea salt and black pepper can be served on the side, but I've never had to use them!
Types of Mozzarella Cheese
The best type of mozzarella cheese for Grape Tomato Caprese Salad depends on you! Here are some options:
- Traditional (and my first choice!): Buffalo mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala) or bocconcini. If you use mozzarella pearls or mini mozzarella balls, you won't need to cut anything! This makes the recipe vegetarian.
- Vegan: Choose a dairy-free, plant-based mozzarella-flavored option, and this recipe is vegan.
- Block mozzarella cheese or shredded mozzarella works in a pinch or for a budget-friendly version.
- Make your own! The Kitchn has instructions to make homemade fresh mozzarella.
For a spooky twist on this tomato salad, make Halloween Caprese Salad with mozzarella skulls!
Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.
Directions
Here's how to make delicious Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes:
1. Roast grape or cherry tomatoes.
Roast grape tomatoes in the oven OR in an air fryer if you have one!
Cut the tomatoes in half in either direction. If you come across any tomatoes with green seeds inside, scrape out the seeds since they won't be tasty.
Green insides mean they were probably picked before they were ripe. Larger tomatoes generally ripen from the inside out. But grape and cherry tomatoes sometimes turn red on the outside before they're entirely ripened.
Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Toss tomatoes with olive oil and roast for 15-20 minutes or until the skin starts to shrivel, turning halfway through.
Allow cooked tomatoes to come to room temperature before using, if possible.
2. Prepare mozzarella.
Remove fresh mozzarella cheese from the packaging and drain off any liquid. Cut mozzarella into smaller pieces, about ½ to 1 inch in size. If you're using fresh mozzarella balls, you won't need to do anything!
3. Chiffonade Basil with Scissors.
Cut fresh basil leaves into strips. Our go-to method is to stack 4-5 leaves, roll them, and cut them with scissors. But, of course, a knife can be used instead.
4. Make homemade balsamic glaze.
Balsamic glaze or syrup can be purchased in the grocery store. However, it is simple to make using regular balsamic vinegar!
Bring twice the desired amount of balsamic vinegar to a boil over medium-high heat in a small saucepan. Reduce the temperature and simmer until the amount is reduced by half and is a nice syrupy consistency. Cook for about 30 minutes, occasionally stirring so it doesn't burn.
You can add a pinch of sugar or honey if desired. But you won't have to if you start with high-quality balsamic vinegar.
Since this recipe calls for a minimal amount of syrup, you'll want to start with at least ½ cup of balsamic vinegar. Store excess balsamic reduction in the refrigerator to make things like Watermelon Salad or drizzle on Roasted Asparagus.
5. Layer ingredients.
To assemble, layer roasted grape tomatoes on a serving platter. Arrange mozzarella and fresh basil strips on top of the tomatoes.
Drizzle balsamic glaze over the top and enjoy the perfect summer salad alongside crusty French bread.
FAQ
Cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes can be used interchangeably but have a few subtle differences. Grape tomatoes are shaped like their namesake and are usually half the size of cherry tomatoes. They also have slightly thicker skin and tend to be less sweet than cherry tomatoes. Roasting makes them sweeter.
No! Just toss all the ingredients together, and you're done!
Storage
Storage: Keep leftover grape tomato caprese salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Note that it will always taste better fresh.
Make ahead: Prepare the tomatoes, make the glaze, and cut the mozzarella cheese 1-2 days ahead of time. Cutting the basil and assembling the salad within 1-2 hours of serving is best.
The serving size for Grape Tomato Caprese Salad is small because it packs so much flavor and can be served as an appetizer. Double or triple the recipe if you're serving a crowd or want to use it as a topping for pasta or chicken. And....yes, that's delicious too!
More Simple Salad Recipes
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📋 Recipe
Roasted Grape Tomato Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Pint grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 ounces mozzarella cheese cut into small cubes (½ to 1 inch in size)
- 8-10 basil leaves cut into thin strips
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic syrup or glaze see notes to prepare a homemade version.
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 °F.
- Cut tomatoes in half or leave them whole.
- Mix tomatoes with olive oil.
- Place tomatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast for about 20 minutes or until the tomatoes just begin to pucker or burst, flipping halfway through.
- Remove tomatoes to a serving dish and allow to come to room temperature if possible.
- Layer cubed mozzarella and fresh basil strips on top of the tomatoes.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over the top and enjoy!
Notes
- You can make this recipe without roasting the tomatoes!
- You can also make this recipe with any type of tomato.
- Cut tomatoes in half in either direction or leave them whole.
- Remove the seeds or discard tomatoes with green insides, which indicates that they are not fully ripened.
- Tomatoes may be roasted in an air fryer.
- To make a Balsamic Glaze:
- Bring twice the desired amount of balsamic vinegar to a boil over medium-high heat in a small saucepan. Reduce the temperature and simmer until the amount is reduced by half and is a nice syrupy consistency. Cook for about 30 minutes, occasionally stirring so it doesn't burn. Start with ½ cup of balsamic vinegar and use the leftover glaze for other uses. Store in the refrigerator.
- Serving sizes are small. Double or triple the recipe as needed.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on June 6, 2013, and has been updated to improve the reader experience.
LuAnn says
We have so many grape tomatoes in our garden! Love this take on Caprese Salad!
Marjory Pilley says
I'm so glad you like it!
Nini says
This looks and tastes like Summer!
Mary says
Nutritious and Delicious 😋
Marjory Pilley says
Thank you so much for your comment! It's one of my favorite flavor combos!
Justine says
I loooooove caprese salad in any form. Great idea to roast the tomatoes! I love it!
Nellie Tracy says
So delicious! Such a great appetizer recipe for parties!