Citrus Free Classic Caprese Salad
Few dishes capture the spirit of summer quite like this layered arrangement of ripe tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil. The ingredients are simple, but when you source good-quality produce and a grassy extra-virgin olive oil, the result feels genuinely special. Many classic salad dressings sneak in lemon juice or orange zest, which can be a real headache if you're avoiding citrus — here, the dressing is nothing more than olive oil, flaky sea salt, and cracked black pepper, so you're completely in the clear. The optional balsamic glaze adds a touch of sweetness and depth without any citrus in sight. Alternating the tomato and mozzarella slices and tucking basil leaves between them takes only a few minutes but looks stunning on a platter, making this just as fitting for a dinner party as it is for a quiet weeknight. It's the kind of dish that proves you don't need a long ingredient list to impress.
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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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