Low-Carb Caprese Salad

Now when summer is on the horizon, I feel like I need a light, juicy and refreshing salad that is satisfying but doesn’t feel heavy. A low-carb version of a traditional Italian Caprese salad apparently is what I am craving for.

This low-carb Caprese salad is so simple that even a novice cook can make it within 5 minutes or less. You only need five ingredients and almost every home has these available: tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Salt and pepper are optional.

Tomatoes

Use any tomatoes you have at home – cherry, cocktail, heirloom, tomatoes on the vine etc. Anything goes! I prefer heirloom tomatoes for their abundance of colors and juiciness. They also have quite an intense flavor compared to hybrid varieties. But the choice is yours. Cut your tomatoes in any shape you like – halves, wedges or round slices.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is one of the healthiest soft cheeses: it is lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses. It also contains probiotics that may boost your immune system.

They say, there are 12 different types of Mozzarella. Use any type you like – fresh home-made mozzarella, bocconcini, mozzarella di bufala or burrata.

Sweet Basil

Sweet basil provides vitamins, minerals, and a range of antioxidants. Its essential oil may also have medicinal benefits. Read about the health benefits of basil here.

Do you have a planter pot of fresh sweet basil at home? If not, I strongly recommend to buy one at your local grocery store as you can use it in a variety of dishes for a long time. Just don’t forget to water it every second day. If you are like me and are driven by a pleasant smell, basil with its subtle anise flavor adds a wow! flavor to your salads, pasta and tomato dishes. 

Balsamic Vinegar

Traditionally, an authentic Caprese salad calls for balsamic vinegar reduction or balsamic glaze. The balsamic vinegar reduction is often made with the addition of brown sugar or honey to several cups of the vinegar!  But since my version is low-carb I omit this step and simply use just a drizzle of quality prepared balsamic vinegar over the salad.

Olive Oil

For best results use extra virgin olive oil!

Low-Carb Caprese Salad

5 from 3 votes

Recipe by The Minty Tomato Course: Appetizers, SaladsDifficulty: Easy

Servings

3

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

0

minutes

Calories

267

kcal

Total time

5

minutes

This low-carb Caprese salad is so simple that even a novice cook can make it within 5 minutes or less. You only need 5 ingredients: tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Ingredients

• 3 3 Heirloom tomatoes, medium size

• 180 grams 180 Mozzarella

• 1/3 cup 1/3 Fresh basil leaves

• 1.5 tbsp 1.5 Extra virgin olive oil

• 1.5 tbsp 1.5 Balsamic vinegar

• Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste (optional)

Directions

• Prepare the ingredients
• Cut tomatoes into halves, wedges or round slices. Assemble tomato slices on a platter or in the serving bowl.
• Cut mozzarella into 1-2 inch pieces or instead break them up with your fingers. Place between tomato slices.
• Cut bigger fresh basil leaves into strips (this is called a roulade) and sprinkle randomly over the salad together with small basil leaves.
• Garnish with freshly ground black pepper and coarse salt to taste (optional).
• Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
• Serve immediately or let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes so that flavors meld.

Notes

• Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 1 day.