Spinach Caprese Salad is easy to make, light, refreshing, and has that perfect amount of tang! Soft mozzarella, juicy sweet tomatoes, and chiffonade-cut spinach tossed in a bright dressing can be enjoyed immediately or meal-prepped a day in advance.
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This recipe makes four servings and costs approximately $9.31 to make. That’s just $2.33 per serving.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Love About Easy Caprese Salad
- Fresh and Vibrant Flavors: Caprese salad is known for its fresh and vibrant flavors. The combination of ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil creates a harmonious balance of tastes. Adding spinach to the traditional Caprese salad adds a slightly earthy and leafy flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Easy and Quick to Prepare: Spinach Caprese salad is a simple dish to make. It can be assembled in just a few minutes, making it convenient for a quick, healthy meal or side dish.
- Nutritional Benefits: Spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is a great source of iron, vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber.
- Suitable for Various Occasions: This Salad works well as a light lunch, a side dish for a summer barbecue, or a refreshing dinner party appetizer.
What’s in the Salad?
This Caprese salad recipe uses simple ingredients like:
Pearl mozzarella cheese- adds the perfect saltiness and creaminess to the salad.
Grape tomatoes- will marinate in the dressing and release some of their juices— adding another depth of flavor. If you don’t have grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes will also work.
Spinach- gives this salad that hint of green and a light crunch and can help to bulk up the salad.
Basil– you can use fresh or dried. Basil is the traditional herb of choice for this salad. Whether you use fresh or dried, remember this—one tablespoon of fresh herb to 1 tsp of dried herb.
Once you have the essential ingredients for your Caprese salad, you can either do one of two things:
(A) drizzle the salad with balsamic reduction.
(B) drizzle an herby lemony pomegranate dressing over it.
I’m going for option B.
Easy Caprese Salad Ingredients and Estimated Cost
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes – $1.44
- 1 cup packed fresh spinach – $0.21
- 1 cup mini mozzarella pearls – $4.99
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil – $0.48
- ¼ cup lemon juice – $0.58
- 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses – $1.50
- 1 tsp dried basil – $0.10
- ¼ tsp kosher salt – $0.01
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the prices for this recipe in July 2023.
How To Make Spinach Caprese Salad
*For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Slice each tomato in half.
- Stack the spinach leaves on each other, roll them up, and cut thin strips to create chiffonade spinach cuts.
- Combine the mozzarella pearls, tomatoes, and spinach in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pomegranate molasses, and basil to make the dressing. Mix for about a solid minute to emulsify the dressing and evenly distribute the salt.
- Drizzle about ¼ cup of the dressing over the salad and gently toss until all the ingredients are well coated.
Caprese Salad – Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Balsamic Glaze: Instead of the dressing, you can use balsamic glaze to add a sweet and tangy flavor to the salad. Drizzle the glaze over the salad just before serving.
- Fresh Basil: If you have fresh basil leaves, you can use them instead of dried basil for a more vibrant and aromatic flavor. Simply chop the fresh basil and add it to the salad.
- Herb Infused Oil: For an extra burst of flavor, infuse the olive oil with herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary. Simply heat the olive oil in a small saucepan with the herbs over low heat for a few minutes, then strain and use it in the dressing.
- Mixed Greens: Instead of using only spinach, you can mix it with other leafy greens like arugula, baby kale, or mixed spring greens to add more variety and texture to the salad.
- Tomato Varieties: While grape or cherry tomatoes work well in this salad, you can also experiment with different tomato varieties. Try using heirloom tomatoes, diced Roma tomatoes, or even sun-dried tomatoes for a more intense flavor.
- Cheese Substitutions: If mini mozzarella pearls are unavailable, you can substitute them with diced fresh mozzarella or bocconcini. Alternatively, you can use crumbled feta cheese or crumbled goat cheese for a different twist.
- Nutty Crunch: For added crunch, consider tossing in some toasted pine nuts, sliced almonds, or chopped walnuts.
Serving and Storage Tips
SERVE: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor. If desired, serve the salad with crusty bread or breadsticks on the side.
STORE: store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. It is best to store the salad without dressing to prevent it from becoming soggy. Keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving.
Note: Pomegranate molasses may thicken and become syrupy when chilled. If the dressing becomes too thick after refrigeration, you can let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or whisk it with a little extra olive oil or lemon juice to reach the desired consistency before adding it to the salad.
FREEZE: Freezing is not recommended for this type of salad, as the texture of the ingredients may change significantly after thawing.
Spinach Caprese Salad Recipe FAQs
Pronounced [kah-PRAY-say] is a simple salad made from simple ingredients like basil, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of dressing. The name comes from southern Italy’s Capri island in the Gulf of Naples.
Crusty Bread: Serve the Caprese salad with slices of crusty bread or baguette. The bread can be used to make small sandwiches with the salad ingredients or to soak up the dressing.
Grilled Chicken or Shrimp: Add some protein to your meal by serving grilled chicken breasts or shrimp alongside the salad. The savory and juicy grilled meats pair well with the fresh flavors of the salad.
Pasta: Combine the salad with cooked pasta such as penne or fusilli to create a refreshing pasta salad. Toss the pasta with the salad ingredients and dressing for a complete and satisfying meal.
Prosciutto or Serrano Ham: Serve thin slices of prosciutto or serrano ham alongside the salad. The salty and savory cured meats complement the sweetness of the tomatoes and creaminess of the mozzarella.
Melon or Stone Fruits: Pair the Caprese salad with slices of ripe melon (such as watermelon or cantaloupe) or stone fruits (like peaches or nectarines) for a sweet and refreshing contrast.
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Easy Caprese Salad with Spinach
Recipe Cost 9.31 Serving Cost 2.33
Recipe Cost $ 9.31 Serving Cost $ 2.33Ingredients
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup packed fresh spinach
- 1 cup mini mozzarella pearls
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- 1 tsp dried basil or 1-2 tbsp freshly chopped basil
- ¼ tsp kosher salt or salt to taste
Instructions
PREP VEGETABLES:
- Slice each tomato in half.
- Grab the spinach, stack each leaf on top of one another, roll the stack, and cut thin strips, creating chiffonade spinach cuts.
- Add the mozzarella pearls, tomatoes, and spinach in a large bowl, and set aside.
MAKE DRESSING:
- Add all the dressing ingredients in a mixing bowl—lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pomegranate molasses, and basil, and mix until an emulsified dressing forms. I like to mix for about a solid minute. This helps puncture the basil and ensures the salt is evenly distributed throughout the dressing.
TO FINISH:
- Drizzle about ¼ cup of the dressing over the salad and gently toss until each ingredient is generously coated well.
- Serve and enjoy right away.
Equipment
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Kechi says
This salad was refreshing, tasty and super easy to make! I will surely make it again; thanks so much for sharing!
Lima Ekram says
I have had something similar before but never a dressing with pomegranate molasses. I tried it – it was delicious and the dressing is my new favorite.
Kristine says
Mad this salad as part of my lunch meal prep for the week and it was great! So flavorful, yet fresh and easy to make. Loved it.
justine says
Great dressing!! Easy directions to follow, thx!
Mahy says
Healthy, colorful and oh so delicious! Can’t wait to try your recipe – I make a similar salad every day!
Ally says
Summer salads with dark greens are my favorites. A tasty recipe, sure to be made!
ashley says
Thanks, Ally. I am happy to hear it!