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.
(Love caprese? Try these caprese salad skewers too!)
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.
Jeannine
I am saving this for the summer, will be awesome enjoying next to the pool. Definitely trying the balsamic vinegar also
Denise
I am not a huge fruit lover but nothing is better than a fresh summer peach! I love your twist on a caprese salad and can’ wait to try it! I have to try some of your other peach recipes too….liked the grilled peaches…Yum!
Andrea Larson
It looks so simple and so beautiful. I’ll try to make that (not sure though that it will turn out to be as simple as here for me though 🙂
Tonya Tardiff
Love Fixer Upper and also have her cookbook! I agree with your recipe, I’ll be making this inspired version instead! Looks so good!
Jolina
Isn’t it such a great show? 🙂 And I can’t wait to try other recipes in her book.
Helene
I love Italian food in general and Italian salads too! This one looks delicious and I am really curious about the taste, the combination peach and cheese and balsamic sound so intriguing to me.
Asma
I love Peaches. This salad sounds really good but I guess I will try first your Peach Clafoutis first lol. love your photography style too.
Jolina
Lol that’s a great recipe too 🙂 Enjoy!
Kayla
This looks so healthy and tasty. I love simple dishes like this for the summer time. Just something light, but filling at the same time.
Melanie
Caprese is my fav kind of salad. This peach one looks super yummy and a real delight x
Christa
I love the idea of using both peaches and tomatoes! It’s the perfect summer recipe. I can’t wait to try it!
Tonie
This is so simple to make. I think this will be may default salad all summer long.
Nicole
I would have never thought to put fruit and caprese together. The mix of fruit and balsamic probably have a perfect sweet and salty. Can’t wait to try it!
Patricia Chamberlain
I love peaches! This recipe looks very good and very easy. I will be trying it soon.
Stephanie
I haven’t bought Jo’s cookbook yet, but it’s on my list to get soon! My husband makes caprese salad any time we have fresh tomatoes from the garden. I’ll have to suggest this to him for something different, I’ll bet he will enjoy it!
Gloria
What a great way to enjoy fresh peaches. Perfect for brunch or dinner….and I love fruit, so this would work for dessert for ME too LOL!! Get for BBQ parties….oh the wonderful flavours of summer.
Jolina
Loving summer so far, especially now that the heat wave is over 🙂 Hope you’re having a blast Gloria!
Dawn
First of all I love balsamic reduction. It’s amazing how syrupy it gets. Secondly I love everything about this salad!!! It just screams summer!!! Peaches, tomatoes, cheese! What’s not to love! This with some chicken would male for one lovely summer dinner. You’re seriously making me hungry right now Jolina 🙂 Hope you have an awesome week, my friend.
Jolina
All our favourite things in one humble salad right? 🙂 Thanks Dawn! Hope you’re having a lovely Sunday!