This arugula caprese salad is a light, fresh and delicious side dish!

arugula caprese salad in a bowl with bread on the side

When we welcomed dinner guests over for our first dinner out on the patio this year, I threw a version of this salad together with ingredients we happened to have on hand. And we all fell in love! I’ve made it several times since and it’s now the official side salad of the season.

Adding arugula to the traditional caprese salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil bulks it up a bit, adds more flavor, and stretches it into more servings.

My secret for maximum flavor is to “marinate” the tomatoes and mozzarella with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Italian seasoning 30 minutes before tossing it with the greens and serving. It’s delicious! And I know you’re going to love it.

ingredients for arugula caprese salad

Ingredients you’ll need

  • Fresh baby arugula
  • Fresh basil
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes
  • Mini mozzarella balls
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper

marinated tomatoes and mozzarella in olive oil and herbs

Marinade, toss and serve!

Combining the tomatoes, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper beforehand gives all of the flavors a chance to mingle. The tomatoes and mozzarella soak up the seasoning and have so much more flavor than they would if you just tossed it all together at the last minute.

Plus, the “marinade” becomes a quick homemade dressing, and all you need to do is add the fresh arugula and pesto, and enjoy!

closeup of arugula caprese salad in a bowl

More salads to serve this summer

arugula caprese salad on a plate with a slice of bread

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closeup of arugula caprese salad in a bowl
5 from 2 reviews

Arugula Caprese Salad

Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Marinade Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper , to taste
  • 8 oz mini mozzarella balls
  • 1 dry pint cherry or grape tomatoes , halved
  • 4 cups packed baby arugula
  • 1 cup packed basil leaves , torn or left whole

Instructions
 

  • Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning and a generous amount of salt and pepper in a salad bowl.
  • Add tomatoes and mozzarella and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Add arugula and basil and toss until combined. Add more olive oil and salt and pepper if needed.
  • Serve immediately.
Calories: 84kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 23mg, Potassium: 48mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 399IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 125mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: Italian
Course: Salad
Author: Annalise
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.