Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes is a delicious way to enjoy your excess tomatoes and this picnic salad is a breeze to make. In fact, you could keep a bowl of caprese in the refrigerator and enjoy a low carb snack any time. The perfect make ahead picnic salad recipe ready in 10 minutes!
This recipe originally published June 2014 and updated with all new step by step instructions, photos and expert tips.
Why is it called caprese salad?
Caprese salad consists of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil seasoned with olive oil. It features the colors of the Italian flag (Capri).
I really enjoy growing basil and making my own pesto and salads with fresh basil. It is so easy to grow- check out the photo above of my basil plants! (If you like pesto, you will be amazed at the difference in fresh and bottled pesto.) It is so easy to step out to the garden and pinch off a few leaves whenever I need them. I find herbs can help "fill the void" when I reduce the sodium in recipes. Here's a post I wrote on using herbs with the diabetic diet.
Why this recipe works:
- Uses "sturdy" ingredients (like cherry tomatoes), that will hold up well to picnic travel.
- Mozzarella balls require no slicing and make prep quick and easy.
- Make as many or as few servings as you want!
The main ingredients:
- Cherry Tomatoes- Use any smaller type tomato including cherry, grape etc.
- Mozzarella balls- find these in the cheese case of most groceries.
- Olive oil- use this for the dressing
- Basil- use fresh basil for this recipe. Sources include farmer's mkt, grocery produce department, etc.
How to make:
- Combine all the ingredients in small cups with lids or a large bowl with a lid.
- Pack bowl(s) in cooler for transport to picnic or place in refrigerator until serving time.
Expert tips:
- Feel free to choose whole mozzarella if you can't find balls. Simply slice into small chunks.
- You may prepare this salad a few hours ahead and store in refrigerator until needed.
- If your tomatoes are very small, no need to slice them in half.
Frequently asked questions:
If you are taking this salad on a picnic, it pairs well with almost any grilled or baked meat such as grilled chicken tenders or Barbecue Chicken.
This is all up to you. Larger cherry tomatoes may be sliced in half for easier eating.
2-3 days. Be sure to drain the salad before serving. It will keep best using uncut tomatoes.
Looking for more tomato recipes? Check these favorites out!
Did you make this recipe? Please leave your star rating and comment below!
Picnic Tomato Caprese Cups
Ingredients
- 1 rounded cup cherry tomatoes
- 8 mozzarella balls
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and spoon into small cups.
- Store in refrigerator or in cooler.
Notes
- Feel free to choose whole mozzarella if you can't find balls. Simply slice into small chunks.
- You may prepare this salad a few hours ahead and store in refrigerator until needed.
- If your tomatoes are very small, no need to slice them in half.
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