Appetizer / Italian
Heirloom Caprese Salad
Juicy heirloom tomatoes layered with creamy vegetarian mozzarella, basil, good olive oil, and balsamic glaze.
By Vegetarian Recipes Kitchen · Updated

- Prep
- 10 minutes
- Cook
- 0 minutes
- Total
- 10 minutes
- Serves
- 4
Gather your ingredients
Everything you need.
Allergen notes
- Contains milk. Check dairy and cheese product labels.
- Check all packaged ingredients and substitutions for allergens; vegetarian or vegan labels do not establish allergen safety.
Check product labels and any substitutions; packaged ingredients can introduce additional allergens.
Let's cook
Step by delicious step.
Tap a step number to mark it complete as you cook.
Alternate slices of tomatoes and vegetarian mozzarella on a chilled platter, tucking basil leaves in between each layer. Slice tomatoes and mozzarella to similar thicknesses. Drain excess whey and arrange without compressing the delicate slices.

Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze, then season with flaky salt, pepper, and lemon zest if using.

Serve immediately with gluten-free crusty bread or enjoy solo as a salad course.
0 of 3 steps complete
A little kitchen know-how
- Use room-temperature tomatoes so their flavor is the fullest.
Make it yours & keep it well
Replace mozzarella with sliced avocado for a dairy-free salad; the flavour and protein content will differ.
Storage: Keep perishable components covered in the fridge and use within 48 hours, or sooner if a product use-by date requires. Keep cut tomatoes and mozzarella covered in the fridge and dress just before eating. This salad is best freshly assembled and does not freeze well.
For cooling and reheating, follow the Food Standards Agency’s leftover guidance. Rice has a shorter refrigerated storage limit, as described in its recipe notes.
Estimated nutrition per serving
200 kcal · Protein 10 g · Carbohydrates 8 g · Fat 14 g
Approximate figures; brands, portions and substitutions change the result.
Good things to know
Can I make it ahead?
Slice everything up to 1 hour in advance but drizzle oil and glaze just before serving to avoid sogginess.
What vegetarian mozzarella works best?
Look for vacuum-sealed vegetarian mozzarella logs; vegetarian burrata is delicious but messier for slicing.
How do I choose the tomatoes?
Use ripe tomatoes that smell fragrant and feel firm enough to slice. Avoid very soft fruit that collapses when lifted onto the platter.
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