This easy caprese platter is always a hit. A great way to use fresh summer produce, plus a beautiful presentation for a holiday party, or a quick and easy salad or appetizer. Vegetarian.
This tomato and mozzarella platter is a quick and easy addition to any table and so fun to make. Simply layer fresh sliced tomatoes, fresh sliced mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves on a platter. Drizzle with a balsamic reduction and serve!
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Preparing Ingredients
Sitting here writing about these fresh picked tomatoes makes my mouth water. I think a trip to the garden is on my list!
This caprese appetizer recipe is really simple to prepare.
- Fresh tomatoes. Slice the tomatoes about ¼ inch thick.
- Fresh mozzarella cheese. Slice the mozzarella slightly thinner than the tomatoes if possible.
- Basil. Use fresh basil leaves, dried will not work. Remove the basil leaves from stems.
- Balsamic reduction. We love keeping balsamic reduction on hand to add a finishing touch to dishes. Make your own with this easy recipe.
Favorite Riffs
Make this platter your own by scattering some pickled veggies, like marinated artichoke hearts, green beans, carrots, or radishes on the platter. If keeping it vegetarian isn't a requirement, fold some different cured meats on the platter, like plain or flavored salami, soppressata, or prosciutto.
How to Serve
Caprese is one of those dishes that almost everyone loves! It is refreshing and reminds us of summer - even when eating in the winter months!
What to serve with Caprese?
Serve with sliced artisan bread, crostini, or crackers if serving as an appetizer. Serve with BBQ beef, chicken, or pork, fresh veggies, twice baked potatoes, or homemade bread if serving as a side salad dish.
How to Plate a Caprese Platter
Here is where I think the fun comes in! There is really no right or wrong way to plate this. Have fun and be creative.
- Plate on a square plate in alternating rows, either straight or on the diagonal.
- Use a round platter and layer everything in circles or a spiral pattern.
- Plate on a long, skinny platter in a single row.
- Garnish with extra basil sprigs on the sides of the platter or between rows.
- Plate in a random pattern for a more unstructured tomato mozzarella platter.
Make Ahead and Time Saving Tips
This platter goes together VERY fast, but when serving as one of many dishes, it is also a perfect make ahead dish. Plate the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves in pattern of choice. Lightly cover and put in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Remove and drizzle with the balsamic reduction right before serving.
Making a balsamic reduction from balsamic vinegar is so easy, but using a store bought one saves a little time if you don't have one already made. NOTE: Some purchased balsamic reductions actually have a sweetener added. This addition actually makes them a glaze, not a pure reduction. Try to find a brand with no added sugars for a true balsamic reduction that will produce the flavor you are looking for.
Saving Leftovers
The FDA recommends discarding any perishable food that has been out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
If you are within the FDA recommendations, leftover caprese appetizer will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While the balsamic reduction will soak into the tomatoes and mozzarella, and not look as fresh, it is still fine to eat. This is great added to a hot pasta dish. Simply cut the tomatoes and mozzarella into smaller pieces, add a little olive oil, and toss with hot pasta.
Other favorite options
Some Common FAQ's
Yes! As long as you are within the FDA guidelines you can save the leftovers. While the balsamic reduction will soak into the mozzarella cheese and not look as appetizing, it is still delicious. It is also great diced up and added to hot pasta!
Any fresh picked, tomato, in season, is always THE BEST! NOTE: This was also one of our most requested dishes at the catering company in the winter, especially during the holidays, the colors, the freshness, the flavors. Even when made with hot house tomatoes, it is still good!
📖 Recipe
Caprese Platter
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 24-30 pieces 1x
Description
This easy caprese platter is always a hit. Plus a great way to use fresh tomatoes and basil! A perfect summer appetizer or salad.
Ingredients
- 3-4 fresh tomatoes
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella log (sliced or whole)
- 24 fresh basil, large, whole leaves
- 1-2 Tablespoon balsamic reduction
- 1 baguette, sliced (should have 24-32 slices)
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes about ¼ inch thick. Cut at least 24 slices. If tomatoes are large, cut each slice in half. If the tomatoes are cut in half, also cut the mozzarella slices in half.
- If the mozzarella log is not sliced, slice the cheese into 24 slices. If it is pre-sliced there will probably be 16 thick slices. If the slices are too thick, carefully cut them through the slice to make them thinner or cut each slice in half across the middle so you have two half circles.
PLATING - There are so many ways to plate this. This is one of our favorite.
- Place a tomato slice on the platter. Place a mozzarella slice partly overlapping the tomato. Place a basil leaf on the mozzarella with the tip over the top of the cheese.
- Place a tomato slice on top of the basil leaf and repeat the process with cheese and basil until it is all plated. You can do this in a single row, multiple rows, spiral, any pattern you like.
- Drizzle balsamic reduction over the top and serve with baguette slices on the side.
Notes
Mozzarella. We like using unsliced mozzarella so you can slice it the thickness you want. We find the pre-sliced is sometimes too thick. If it is too thick, carefully slice through the slice to make two thinner slices, or cut in half.
Serving. This can be served as an appetizer with sliced bread or crostini. It can also be served as a side dish or as a salad.
Riffs. Add some marinated veggies to the platter (artichoke hearts, beans, carrots). If keeping this dish vegetarian is not necessary, add some meats (salami, soppressata, prosciutto), fold in quarters and scatter among the tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Assembly Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tomato mozzarella piece
- Calories: 123
- Sugar: 1.8 g
- Sodium: 350.2 mg
- Fat: 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.3 g
- Protein: 9.9 g
- Cholesterol: 3.4 mg
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