Double Cherry Caprese Salad Recipe
on Jul 19, 2024, Updated Aug 09, 2024
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This cherry Caprese salad is the perfect recipe that combines sweet cherries and ripe cherry tomatoes for a burst of summer flavors. This salad has fresh basil, tangy balsamic vinegar, and creamy burrata make it the perfect lunch, side, or antipasto (appetizer). For other delicious tomato recipes, try our Tomato and Melon Gazpacho, Cherry Tomato Pasta, and Roasted Tomato Caprese and Prosciutto Sandwich next.
Table of Contents
What is Caprese Salad?
The classic Caprese salad includes fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes and fresh, pitted cherries introduces a fruity note!
What ingredients do you need for this cherry caprese salad?
Cherry tomatoes: Tomatoes are at their peak in the summer. These small tomatoes add a burst of juiciness and sweetness that balances the savory components of the salad.
Red cherries: Pitted and halved, these fresh cherries are a sweet addition different from the traditional Caprese salad. The deep, rich flavor contrasts the tangy tomatoes.
Cheese: Use soft, creamy cheese like a ball of burrata or fresh mozzarella cheese. Burrata adds a rich texture that melds beautifully with the other ingredients, while fresh mozzarella has a slightly firmer bite. You can toss in fresh mozzarella balls or mozzarella pearls to skip tearing them into bite-size chunks.
Seasoning: We keep it simple with a sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper so the other ingredients shine.
Fresh basil leaves: This fresh herb brings a fragrant, peppery note to the salad.
Extra-virgin olive oil: A drizzle of high-quality extra-virgin olive oil adds a smooth finish to this salad!
Balsamic vinegar: Subtly sweet with a tangy flavor, balsamic vinegar ties the dish together.
Bread: We like to use grilled or toasted baguette, for serving. The texture of the crusty bread provides a crispy contrast to the salad. It is perfect for scooping up every bite.
How to Make a Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
Scatter: On a platter, scatter your tomatoes and cherries. Then tear your burrata and add it around the platter.
Season: Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Garnish: Top with basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
Serve: Serve your Caprese salad recipe alongside grilled or toasted baguette.
Tips, Tricks and Substitutions
To cut cherry tomatoes for this Caprese salad, wash and dry them. Then use a sharp knife to slice them in half horizontally on a cutting board. We halve them for an easy bite, but if your cherry tomatoes are quite small, you can also leave them whole.
To ensure the cherries are properly pitted, use a cherry pitter or a small knife to carefully remove the pit without losing too much of the fruit. Take your knife and cut it around the cherry, where you’ll hit the pit. Then carefully tear the two cherry havles apart, removing the pit. If you’re using a cherry pitter, pit the cherry, then slice the cherries in half.
You can make this salad up to a few hours in advance, anytime more than that, and your tomatoes won’t stay as fresh, and the basil will wilt! Prep ahead by cutting your tomatoes and cherries, and scattering on a platter, but don’t add on your olive oil, salt, pepper, burrata, basil, or balsamic until serving, to avoid any sogginess.
Pair this cherry Caprese salad recipe with a grilled or toasted baguette for added texture. You can also serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish for a heartier meal.
Check out more summer salad recipes!
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Ingredients for this post were provided by Whole Foods Market
Double Cherry Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 pound red cherries, pitted and halved
- 4 ounce ball of burrata or fresh mozzarella
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh basil leaves, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and grilled or toasted baguette, for serving
Instructions
- On a platter, scatter your tomatoes and cherries. Then tear your burrata and add it around the platter.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Top with basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Serve alongside grilled or toasted baguette.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We know a classic caprese, but how about adding cherries, too! Double Cherry caprese! I hope you enjoy this recipe 🙂 Let me know if you try it out!