Nitrate & Nitrite Free Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes
Few dishes capture summer on a plate quite like this one — jewel-toned heirloom tomatoes layered with creamy fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a generous drizzle of good olive oil. The beauty here is that every single ingredient is naturally free of added nitrates and nitrites, so there's no label-scanning or ingredient-swapping required. Processed meats and cured products are the usual culprits when it comes to hidden preservatives, but this salad sidesteps all of that entirely with nothing but whole, fresh components. Heirloom tomatoes bring a complexity of flavor that standard grocery-store varieties simply can't match — sweet, tangy, and almost fruity depending on the variety you choose. The optional balsamic glaze adds a subtle richness that ties everything together without introducing any questionable additives. It comes together in minutes with just a little thoughtful arranging, making it an effortless centerpiece for a dinner party or a quiet weeknight meal. Simple, stunning, and completely clean — this is the kind of recipe that reminds you how satisfying real food can be.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 ½ lb heirloom tomatoes (assorted colors and sizes), sliced ¼ inch thick
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced ¼ inch thick
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1–2 tsp balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices on a serving platter, alternating and overlapping them in a single shingled layer.
- 2
Tuck the basil leaves between and over the tomato and mozzarella slices, distributing them evenly across the platter.
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