Best 5 Charred Caprese Salad Recipes

**Grilled Caprese Salad: A symphony of Flavors**

Grilled Caprese salad is a captivating interplay of flavors and textures that combines the freshness of ripe tomatoes, the creamy richness of mozzarella cheese, and the aromatic essence of basil, all harmonized by a drizzle of olive oil. This classic Italian salad, originating from the island of Capri, has captivated taste buds worldwide with its simplistic yet exquisite combination of ingredients. While the traditional Caprese salad is typically served with raw tomatoes and cheese, grilled Caprese salad elevates the dish by adding a smoky, charred flavor that brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and imparts a delightful complexity to the overall taste profile. This article presents a collection of grilled Caprese salad recipes that explore variations of this timeless dish, inviting you on a culinary journey to savor the diverse expressions of this beloved salad. From classic grilled Caprese to unique interpretations that incorporate grilled peaches, zucchini, and even watermelon, these recipes promise a delightful exploration of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CAPRESE SALAD

Caprese Salad image

For something fresh and Italian, make Rachael Ray's Caprese Salad recipe from 30 Minute Meals on Food Network; it's filled with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories appetizer

Time 10m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

3 vine-ripe tomatoes, 1/4-inch thick slices
1 pound fresh mozzarella, 1/4-inch thick slices
20 to 30 leaves (about 1 bunch) fresh basil
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Coarse salt and pepper

Steps:

Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf between each, on a large, shallow platter. Drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

CLASSIC CAPRESE SALAD

Classic Caprese Salad image

This classic summer dish doesn't get any simpler or more delicious. Use different-colored heirloom tomatoes for the prettiest salad, and buffalo milk mozzarella for the best tasting one.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories brunch, easy, lunch, weekday, salads and dressings, appetizer, side dish

Time 15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1 pound fresh, best-quality mozzarella (preferably buffalo milk)
4 medium heirloom tomatoes
1 bunch fresh basil, leaves only, some reserved for garnish
Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon
Coarsely ground black pepper
High-quality extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

While mozzarella is cold, slice it into 1/4-inch slices. Let it sit, loosely covered, to come to room temperature while you prepare the tomatoes.
Slice the tomatoes into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick slices, leaving them in a single layer on the cutting board as you go. Sprinkle generously with salt.
On a serving platter, arrange the mozzarella, tomato slices, and whole basil leaves so they overlap slightly. Pour any tomato juices from the cutting board over the dish. Sprinkle again with salt and pepper, and drizzle with plenty of oil. Top with reserved basil, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 262, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 18 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 478 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO CAPRESE SALAD

Eggplant and Tomato Caprese Salad image

Provided by Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 medium eggplants, sliced in 1/2-inch thick rounds
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing and serving
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 medium tomatoes, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 bunch fresh basil leaves
Good-quality aged balsamic vinegar, for serving
Coarse sea salt, for serving

Steps:

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Or, prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals or set a gas grill to medium-high heat.
Brush the eggplant slices generously with olive oil on both sides, sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill until charred on the outside and soft on the inside, 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Set aside and allow to cool slightly.
On a large rectangular platter, layer the tomatoes, mozzarella, eggplant and basil in diagonal rows. Drizzle generously with vinegar and olive oil and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Serve at room temperature.

CAPRESE SALAD

Caprese salad image

Make this classic Italian tricolore salad for a starter or side. It's incredibly simple but, when made with perfectly ripe tomatoes, is a real delight

Provided by Adam Bush

Categories Side dish, Starter

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

8 ripe plum tomatoes, sliced
2 balls of mozzarella (or vegetarian alternative), sliced
handful of basil leaves
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Steps:

Arrange the slices of tomato and mozzarella on a platter, alternating between slices of each, and sprinkle over the basil leaves. Season generously with salt and black pepper, then drizzle over the olive oil and vinegar. Serve straightaway.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 242 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 9 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 6 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 12 grams protein, Sodium 0.6 milligram of sodium

CAPRESE SALAD WITH BALSAMIC REDUCTION

Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction image

Tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil drizzled with a sweet balsamic reduction and olive oil. Easy, impressive and delicious! Most grocery stores now sell prepared balsamic reductions. Surprisingly it's just as good!

Provided by stefychefy

Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Tomato Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup honey
3 large tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 (16 ounce) package fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch slices
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup fresh basil leaves
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

Stir balsamic vinegar and honey together in a small saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the vinegar mixture has reduced to 1/3 cup, about 10 minutes. Set the balsamic reduction aside to cool.
Arrange alternate slices of tomato and mozzarella cheese decoratively on a serving platter. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper, spread fresh basil leaves over the salad, and drizzle with olive oil and the balsamic reduction.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 580.1 calories, Carbohydrate 34.8 g, Cholesterol 89.3 mg, Fat 38.8 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 22 g, SaturatedFat 18.2 g, Sodium 330.9 mg, Sugar 32.4 g

Tips:

Choose ripe tomatoes: For the best flavor, use ripe, in-season tomatoes. Look for tomatoes that are deep red in color and have no bruises or blemishes.
Use fresh basil: Fresh basil is essential for this salad. If you can't find fresh basil, you can use dried basil, but it won't be as flavorful.
Char the tomatoes and peaches: Charring the tomatoes and peaches adds a delicious smoky flavor to the salad. You can char them on a grill, in a grill pan, or under a broiler.
Make the dressing ahead of time: The dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes it easy to assemble the salad when you're ready to serve it.
Serve the salad immediately: This salad is best served immediately after it's assembled. The tomatoes and peaches will start to wilt if they sit for too long.

Conclusion:

This charred Caprese salad is a delicious and refreshing summer dish. It's perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and it's also a great side dish for grilled meats or fish. The charred tomatoes and peaches add a smoky flavor to the salad, and the fresh basil and mozzarella cheese balance out the acidity of the tomatoes. This salad is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.