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caprese salad with balsamic vinegar reduction

(2 RATINGS)
128 Pinches 10 Photos
maverick3 avatar
Cassville, MO
Updated on Jul 4, 2025

My family loves this light, refreshing salad. Plus, it makes the table look elegant. I love vegetables, so I place some thinly sliced cucumber slices around the edge of the plate as well. This is optional, but it adds a little more color and texture to your salad. You could use any of your favorite vegetables as well.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

A Caprese salad is a wonderful appetizer or snack when tomatoes are at their ripest. Reducing balsamic vinegar with honey creates a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze that's drizzled over the tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil. When olive oil is sprinkled, it creates a tasty dressing. A light and fresh salad for summer.

— The Test Kitchen
prep time 10 Min
cook time 15 Min
method Stove Top
yield 4 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 package fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 1 bunch fresh basil
  • - salt
  • - pepper
  • - extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced (optional)

How To Make caprese salad with balsamic vinegar reduction

  • Slice the tomato, mozzarella cheese, and basil.
    Step 1
    Wash tomatoes and dry. Slice tomatoes and set aside. Wash fresh basil. Dry it and set it aside. Drain liquid from fresh mozzarella. Slice the mozzarella into 4 pieces and set aside.
  • Combine balsamic vinegar and honey in a saucepan.
    Step 2
    In a small saucepan, combine vinegar and honey over high heat.
  • Gently boil until it thickens.
    Step 3
    Watch this very closely as it will boil over easily. Continue to monitor until it starts to thicken slightly. The timing will vary, but this should take approximately 15-20 minutes. Don't turn your back or you will have a very sticky stovetop mess.
  • Remove from the heat and cool.
    Step 4
    Remove from the heat to cool slightly.
  • Place a slice of tomato and mozzarella cheese on a plate.
    Step 5
    While the vinegar reduction is cooling, begin to assemble your salad. On each salad plate, place one tomato slice followed by a slice of fresh mozzarella.
  • Add another tomato slice and basil.
    Step 6
    Then add another tomato slice. Arrange fresh basil on top of the tomato decoratively. Let the artist in you come out.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil.
    Step 7
    Lightly sprinkle the top with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.
  • Decorate plate with balsamic reduction.
    Step 8
    Then, decoratively drizzle balsamic vinegar reduction over the salad and around the plate.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Discover More

Culture: Italian
Category: Other Salads
Keyword: #Tomato
Keyword: #mozzarella
Ingredient: Vegetable
Method: Stove Top
Collection: Summer Recipes
Collection: Fresh Finds

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