Peach caprese salad is a delightful, summery twist to the traditional caprese. With summer-ripe peaches, fresh mozzarella and a balsamic reduction vinaigrette, it’s light, bright, perfect on a summer day.
(Looking for more summer salads? Try cantaloupe salad with feta cheese. Sweet, salty and delicious!)
You know it’s summer when you can smell peaches everywhere! And this peach caprese salad is a great way to eat more of them.
It’s a recipe inspired by Joana Gaines’ cookbook, The Magnolia Table.
She has a recipe for peach caprese salad where she replaced tomatoes with peaches. It’s tasty but when we tried it we kinda missed the sweetness of the tomatoes.
So we made our own version with both peaches and tomatoes and using Red’s balsamic reduction. The result is caprese salad but that much better. It’s really very simple but so good!
Read on and learn how to build the perfect peach caprese salad that balances sweet fruit with fresh mozzarella and tangy balsamic reduction.
Why you’ll love this peach caprese salad recipe
If you love traditional caprese salad, you will love this peach tomato caprese salad!
- It’s so easy to make. It takes no time at all and you can make the vinaigrette ahead of time.
- This summer salad works both as an elegant appetizer or a light main course. You can even add protein like prosciutto or grilled chicken and transform it to a complete meal. Or serve as a side to tuna pizza or barbecue chicken flatbread for a delicious summer spread.
- It’s light, bright and vibrant. Just like all summer salads should be.
How to make
This recipe is the easiest thing you’ll make with peaches this summer.
Ingredients
Ingredients are simple and not difficult to find like honey, fresh basil leaves, salt and pepper. You can find the full ingredient list in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
A few things to note:
- Extra virgin olive oil — olive oil has gotten so expensive lately but you’ll still want to use the best EVOO budget allows. For simple recipes like this, the quality of your ingredients really make a difference.
- Balsamic vinegar — same deal with balsamic vinegar, especially since it’s the base of your vinaigrette.
- Peaches — you want ripe but still firm peaches. Nectarines will work too.
- Mozzarella — for best results, you’ll want to use fresh mozzarella that’s sold in plastic containers or bags, filled with water or whey, and not the dry, processed ones usually used for pizza.
- Tomatoes — we like using cherry tomatoes for their sweetness though you can use your favorite kind of tomatoes as well.
(Got extra basil? Check out this delicious collection of easy pesto recipes!)
Step-by-step photos
Making peach and tomato caprese salad is very simple.
First you start by making your balsamic reduction by combining balsamic vinegar with some honey in a saucepan on high heat until the mixture boils. Lower the heat to a simmer until the liquid reduces to about half in volume. Stir often so that the vinegar doesn’t burn. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
When ready, take all your other ingredients and arrange or toss in a serving platter. Drizzle with some balsamic reduction and extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. That’s it!
Expert tips
Easy, right? Here are some things to keep in mind.
- Use the best and freshest ingredients. For simple recipes like this, there’s really nowhere to hide so try and find the best and freshest ingredients. Splurge on some fresh mozzarella cheese. Buy that nice bottle of EVOO. Head to your farmer’s market for farm fresh peaches (or nectarines, they’ll work, too).
- Use ripe but firm peaches. Speaking of peaches, you want them ripe but still firm (see FAQs below). Enjoy overly juicy and soft peaches on their own (or with ice cream).
- Avoid over-reducing your balsamic reduction. What we’re looking for is a thick but still pourable mixture. Your vinaigrette should have a consistency similar to honey or maple syrup. Also remember that your mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Prepare when ready to serve. While you can make the vinaigrette up to 2 weeks in advance, peach caprese salad is best prepared right before serving and should be enjoyed immediately.
Recipe FAQs
There are a few ways to tell if a peach is ripe:
– Color. Depending on the kind of peaches you have, you’re looking for a nice shade of yellow orange or reddish orange. Avoid any that look pale or have lots of green on them.
– Feel. Gently press on it. If it gives easily, it’s ripe. If it doesn’t, it needs a few more days. For this recipe though, you don’t want a peach that’s overly soft.
– Smell. You would know a peach is ready by its smell. If it’s fragrant and smells like a peach, you’re good to go. If you don’t smell anything, it’s not ready.
Frozen peaches will be too mushy once thawed so I don’t recommend them for this recipe.
Same with canned peaches. They both lack the bite of a fresh peach.
Yes, creamy burrata cheese will work here! The texture will differ but the flavors will be delicious.
Yes, you can! If you have a favorite brand you can definitely use that instead of making it from scratch.
Caprese salad with peaches and balsamic is best eaten immediately. It will become soggy the longer it sits.
If you want to save a little time, you can make the balsamic reduction up to 2 weeks ahead and prep your ingredients (e.g. tomatoes, peaches, etc) a few hours before serving.
More recipes using peaches
Love peaches? Me too! Check these out:
Looking for more salads? We love this cobb salad recipe, tuna macaroni salad, politiki salad and blueberry watermelon salad too!
This peach caprese salad is a delight and we deserve it every day this summer.
Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
Did you make this peach caprese salad recipe? I’d love to hear all about it! Leave a comment or a star rating below. You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook. I’d love to see your creations!
You can also find me on Pinterest and YouTube.
Peach Caprese Salad
Ingredients
For the balsamic reduction:
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
For the salad:
- 2 ripe but firm peaches pitted and sliced into wedges
- 7 oz mozarella cheese cut into ¼ inch thick slices
- ½ lb cherry tomatoes (about 20 pieces) sliced in half
- bunch fresh basil sliced or served whole
- extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan on high heat, combine balsamic vinegar and honey and bring to a boil.½ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp honey
- Lower heat to a simmer and cook until the liquid reduces to about half its original volume (about 20 minutes). Stir often so the vinegar doesn't burn.
- Remove from heat, transfer to a heat proof container and allow to cool completely.
- In a salad plate or bowl, toss peaches, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil.2 ripe but firm peaches, 7 oz mozarella cheese, ½ lb cherry tomatoes (about 20 pieces), bunch fresh basil
- Drizzle with balsamic reduction and extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper
Video
Notes
- When choosing peaches, you want them ripe but still firm. Enjoy overly juicy and soft peaches on their own or with ice cream!
- For your vinaigrette, what we’re looking for is a thick but still pourable mixture, similar to the consistency of honey or maple syrup. Remember that your mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.
- See post for more tips and FAQs.
Nutrition
Nutritional information are estimates only.
Courtney
I’m obsessed with all things balsamic! One of my favorite dressings/marinades.
Marisa Franca
I’m glad you decided to make this recipe your own by including the tomatoes. Grape tomatoes are sweet anyway and I imagine they would be great along with the peaches. And I haven’t seen Fixer-Upper although I have seen photos of what Joana and Chip have done. Almost a miracle. I’m looking forward to trying out this version of caprese salad.
Jolina
Thanks Marisa! Hope you like it.
Veena Azmanov
I absolutely love the combination of peach with balsamic and honey. This sounds so refreshing. I often add peaches to my salad I must try this soon. Sounds so yum.
Jolina
Us too! When peaches are in season we tend to add them to everything lol.
Tami
I am eager to try making the balsamic reduction. This recipe has to be delicious since my favorite fruit is in it.
Scott
I haven’t had a peach salad in forever! Last time was in Atlanta, and they used Georgia peaches!
Jolina
That must have been delicious!!
Annemarie LeBlanc
The salad looks really good! My husband wants me to make more salads to increase our dietary fiber. Your salad recipe is perfect because peaches are his favorite fruit. I am making this for him today.
Jolina
Awesome. Hope you guys like it!
Pam
What a great combination of flavors and perfect for summer lunches. I would love to serve this when I have company over.
Peter
Man this looks so good! Peaches are such a versatile and sweet fruit. This salad is right up my alley. I’m going to make this this eeekend
Brandy
This looks like such a delicious option to enjoy. I haven’t tried making any type of salads with peach before but I do love peaches. Happy to try your recipe.
Ebonye
I’m definitely a plain chef salad and ranch type of girl, but this looks really good. Definitely might have to try it!
Michelle
This sounds so delicious. I love peaches and adore caprese salad. This sounds so amazing, and I can’t wait to ty it!
Glenda
Your peach caprese salad looks so tasty and healthy. Being a vegetarian I look for new dishes to try out. Thank you because I will be trying this one out for sure!