Paraben Free Classic Caprese Salad
Few dishes capture the pure pleasure of summer eating the way a well-made Caprese does. Ripe, juicy tomatoes layered with creamy fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil leaves — it's a combination that has stood the test of time for good reason. A generous drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of flaky sea salt are all it takes to pull everything together into something that feels genuinely special. For anyone navigating paraben concerns, this recipe is a natural fit because every ingredient is whole and unprocessed — no packaged sauces, no preservative-laden dressings, nothing that typically hides synthetic additives. Fresh produce, real mozzarella, good olive oil, and herbs are as clean as a recipe gets. The optional balsamic glaze adds a touch of sweetness and depth, but even without it, the salad is completely satisfying. Assembly takes just minutes: alternate the tomato and mozzarella slices on a platter, tuck in the basil as you go, and finish with a crack of black pepper. It's the kind of dish that looks impressive enough for a dinner party but requires almost no effort at all.
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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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