Chilled Picnic-Style Caprese Salad with Fresh Basil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing and vibrant salad combining fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil, perfect for a scenic outdoor meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs fresh mozzarella cheese, medium ripe tomatoes, fresh basil leaves into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 220 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese and 3 medium ripe tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
  2. Step 2: On a large plate, alternate layers of mozzarella and tomato slices, overlapping slightly to form a circle.
  3. Step 3: Tear 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves and scatter them evenly over the layered cheese and tomatoes.
  4. Step 4: Drizzle 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar over the entire salad.
  5. Step 5: Season with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, then let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chilled Picnic-Style Caprese Salad with Fresh Basil take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chilled Picnic-Style Caprese Salad with Fresh Basil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fresh mozzarella cheese from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Picnic-Style Caprese Salad with Fresh Basil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chilled Picnic-Style Caprese Salad with Fresh Basil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Chilled Picnic-Style Caprese Salad with Fresh Basil vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes