Artificial Food Coloring Free Classic Caprese Salad
Few dishes capture summer on a plate quite like this one — ripe tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves layered together in a way that looks almost too pretty to eat. Every ingredient here is exactly what it appears to be: whole, real, and naturally vibrant without a drop of synthetic dye in sight. That's actually rarer than it sounds, since store-bought dressings, flavored cheeses, and even some balsamic products can sneak in artificial additives you'd never expect. Here, the deep red of the tomatoes, the ivory of the mozzarella, and the bright green basil are all completely natural — no label-reading required. A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of flaky sea salt do the heavy lifting on flavor, and the optional balsamic glaze adds a subtle sweet tang that ties everything together beautifully. It comes together in minutes with nothing more than a sharp knife and a serving platter, making it one of the most effortless yet impressive dishes you can put on the table.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 ½ lb ripe tomatoes (about 3 large), 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 cracked black pepper
- 1–2 tsp balsamic glaze (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella to an even 1/4-inch thickness using a sharp knife.
- 2
Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices on a serving platter, alternating and slightly overlapping them. Tuck the basil leaves between the slices as you go.
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