Keto Caprese Salad (Low-Carb 10-Minute Side or Appetizer)

Tomato, mozzarella, and basil are the delicious and time-honored ingredients that make up a classic keto Caprese Salad, and this keto version is about as delicious as delicious gets! Hungry? Read on and I, Chef Jenn, will show you how to make a classic keto Caprese Salad perfectly every time!

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Sometimes the most simple ingredients are the tastiest, and this classic keto Caprese salad is a must-try for anyone who loves the great flavors of garden-fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and herbaceous basil. Plus, it’s a simple recipe that comes together quickly. I see this dish on restaurant menus ALL THE TIME, and it takes hardly any effort or time to do it at home in your own kitchen.

Chef Jenn’s Take on Keto Caprese Salad

Most caprese salads fail at the cheese. Shredded mozzarella or the pizza kind will not work here; you need fresh mozzarella packed in water, and buffalo mozzarella is a great choice if you can find it. The texture is the whole point of this dish.

Slice the tomatoes and the mozzarella about half an inch thick so neither one overpowers the other. When one is thin and the other is thick, you end up with bites that taste like only tomato or only cheese. Let the tomatoes come to room temperature before you assemble, since cold tomatoes taste flatter.

The other place this goes wrong is the balsamic. Check the label, because some bottles have added sugar and other ingredients you don’t need, and use it sparingly. Good olive oil and a good balsamic are worth paying for here since there is nothing else in the dish to hide behind.

What You’ll Love About Keto Caprese Salad

• It takes about 10 minutes and no cooking, which makes it the easiest thing on the table when the main course is doing all the work.
• It works three ways: a side, an appetizer, or a light lunch, so one recipe covers a lot of situations.
• The ingredient list is short enough that quality shows, which means a little extra spent on good mozzarella and olive oil pays off.

Ingredients

• Tomatoes – Look for the very best tomatoes you can find (on the vine tomatoes are a great choice if you can’t get garden-fresh.
• Mozzarella – You want fresh mozzarella, the kind that’s packed in water. This isn’t time for shredded or pizza mozzarella cheese. Buffalo mozzarella is also a great pick.
• Basil – Dark green, fresh basil leaves are what you’re after. Many grocery stores sell fresh basil. Fresh basil REALLY makes this recipe.
• Balsamic vinegar – Read the label for added sugar. Use it sparingly.
• Olive oil – Now’s the time to use the GOOD olive oil!

How To Make Classic Keto Caprese Salad

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Cut thickish (about 1/3-1/2 inch thick) slices of tomato. Cut similarly thick slices of fresh mozzarella. Layer the tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil leaves into a pretty pattern. Drizzle with good-quality balsamic vinegar or glaze and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!

Make It A Meal

I like Caprese salad alongside a simple protein where the tomatoes and fresh mozzarella can stay in the background as the side. Garlic Steak & Mushrooms gives you a richer beef dinner, while Grilled Lime-Garlic Chicken Breasts keep things lighter.

For seafood, serve it with Keto Baked Pesto Salmon. The basil and tomato flavors make sense on the same plate without requiring another complicated side dish.

Frequently Asked Questions