Caprese Salad Dressing is fresh, herby, and so flavorful! Toss it with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, avocado, and basil for the best Caprese salad.
Try this Balsamic Caprese Chicken or Caprese Pasta next!
author’s note
Caprese Salad Recipe Straight From Italy!
I’ve already shared a bit about our trip to Italy this spring, but what really stuck with me, besides the beautiful views, was how inspired I felt by the ingredients and food. We took a few cooking classes in different cities and learned how to make everything from from-scratch gelato to the most flavorful ragu. But a reliable class was in Siena.
It was held in the upstairs kitchen of a farmhouse owned by the most lively Italian nonna. She welcomed us like family and taught us how to make a handful of authentic Italian dishes, one of them being a Caprese salad and dressing, which inspired this very recipe.
Along the way, she shared the kind of tips you can only get from someone who has spent a lifetime in the kitchen and even ran her own restaurant.
Caprese Salad Dressing Ingredients
| Ingredient | Tip |
|---|---|
| Fresh basil | Use the freshest basil you can find. Garden basil is amazing here if you have it. |
| Olive oil | Use a good olive oil since the flavor really comes through in this dressing. |
| Red wine vinegar | Adds a little zip without taking over the basil flavor. |
| Lemon juice | Brightens the dressing and helps keep it fresh. |
| Garlic & shallot | These add big flavor, so a little goes a long way. |
How To Make This Caprese Salad Dressing
- Basil: Give the basil a quick coarse chop. You can include most of the stems.
- Blend base: Add garlic, shallot, and basil to a food processor and pulse until chopped.
- Add vinegar: Add red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then pulse again.
- Oil: While the processor runs, slowly drizzle in oil until the dressing comes together.
- Taste: Taste the dressing and add more salt or pepper if needed. Toss with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, or use it on any Caprese-style dish.
More satisfying Salads:
Salads
Thai Quinoa Salad
Salads
Israeli Salad Recipe
Salads
Panzanella Recipe
Salads With Meat
Grilled Steak Salad RecipeCaprese Salad Dressing Variation Ideas
- Swap out the basil vinaigrette for a balsamic reduction instead.
- Drizzle with a balsamic vinaigrette instead of the basil vinaigrette. A balsamic vinaigrette is much milder than a balsamic reduction. You can find the recipe for a reliable balsamic vinaigrette in this Caprese Quinoa Salad.
