Herb-Infused Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-06 · Updated 2026-07-06

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A fresh Italian salad layering ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil leaves, drizzled with a sweet balsamic glaze. This Italian-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 22 minutes, pairs ripe heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, 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 280 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 Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 medium, sliced 1/4 inch thick ripe heirloom tomatoes
8 oz, sliced 1/4 inch thick fresh mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup whole leaves fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Pour 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the vinegar reduces to a thick syrupy glaze, stirring occasionally; remove from heat and let cool.
Step 2: On a large serving plate, alternate layers of 3 medium sliced heirloom tomatoes (1/4 inch thick) and 8 oz fresh mozzarella slices (1/4 inch thick), arranging them in an overlapping pattern.
Step 3: Tuck 1/2 cup whole fresh basil leaves evenly between tomato and mozzarella slices.
Step 4: Drizzle the layered salad with 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Step 5: Finish by drizzling the cooled balsamic reduction evenly over the entire salad before serving.