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Red, White & Blue Caprese Salad

Red white blue caprese salad with a wreath-style layout of tomato, mozzarella, and blueberries, finished with an olive oil and balsamic drizzle. Layered slices create a patriotic look that’s quick to assemble and bright with fresh basil.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 460

Ingredients
  

Tomatoes
  • 3 large heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes Sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 0.25 Flaky sea salt To taste (finish)
  • 0.25 cracked black pepper To taste (finish)
Mozzarella
  • 1 lb fresh mozzarella Sliced 1/4-inch thick
Blueberries & Garnish
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries Tuck in between slices
  • 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves Scatter throughout
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Drizzle evenly across platter
  • 2 tbsp balsamic glaze Drizzle in an even layer

Method
 

Build the wreath
  1. Arrange alternating slices of tomato and mozzarella in an overlapping circle or wreath pattern on a large serving platter, keeping the layers even in thickness (about 1/4-inch). Visually check that the pattern creates a continuous ring with gaps left for the blue color.
  2. Tuck fresh blueberries in between and around the slices to fill gaps and add the blue element. Spread them so they’re visible throughout the wreath, not piled in one spot.
  3. Scatter fresh basil leaves throughout the wreath, tucking a few between tomato and mozzarella for better coverage. Aim for basil distributed across the top surface and along the edges.
Dress and serve
  1. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil evenly across the whole platter so the salad looks lightly glossy. Follow with balsamic glaze in a thin, even layer over tomatoes, mozzarella, and blueberries.
  2. Finish with flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste, then serve immediately. The final look should be vibrant red, white, and blue with visible basil and a sheen from the glaze.

Notes

Pro tip: Slice tomatoes and mozzarella to the same 1/4-inch thickness for the most uniform wreath pattern. Assemble right before serving so the tomatoes stay firm and the mozzarella remains fresh; keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day (best texture day 0–1). Freezing isn’t recommended. For a dairy-light swap, use part-skim mozzarella or a high-quality plant-based mozzarella cut to the same thickness.