This simple and healthy Peach Caprese Salad includes all the classic ingredients like cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and balsamic glaze. I’ve also added prosciutto (or bacon as an alternative), fresh cherries, and toasted pine nuts. It’s the perfect summer salad that will add so much flavor and color to any menu!
Peach Caprese Salad
I love pairing sweet and savory flavors, and this recipe is a perfect example. Juicy summer fruits like yellow peaches and cherries are combined with savory ingredients like mozzarella, prosciutto, and pine nuts. This sweet-savory combination not only tastes amazing but also looks stunning. Serve it for casual gatherings or more formal dinners—it’s versatile enough for both. You can even prepare it ahead of time for summer parties, potlucks, BBQs, and cookouts.
Salad Ingredients
- Peaches: Fresh yellow peaches are ideal for this salad. While white peaches can be used, they won’t offer the same vibrant presentation. Choose peaches that are firm but not too hard, and avoid overly soft ones. They should have a slight give when pressed. Make sure to wash the peaches thoroughly under warm running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Fresh Cherries: Use firm, fresh, unwrinkled, dark sweet cherries. Pit and slice each cherry in half. I used a very handy cherry pitter that I got on Amazon.
- Tomatoes: I used halved cherry (or grape) tomatoes - their small size works well with the rest of the ingredients.
- Mozzarella Cheese: This salad uses fresh Mozzarella, which has a soft texture and a mild flavor. I chose small Mozzarella balls labeled as "pearls," which pair perfectly with cherry or grape tomatoes.
- Prosciutto: Toast the prosciutto in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to make it crispy.
- Pine Nuts: Toast pine nuts in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes until golden. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly!
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Add fresh basil for flavor and a beautiful presentation.
Balsamic dressing options
- Store-Bought Balsamic Glaze: You can find it in many grocery stores in the same aisle as olive oil and bottles of vinegar.
- Homemade Balsamic Glaze: Simmer 1 cup of balsamic vinegar with ¼ cup of honey or brown sugar until it reduces by half and thickens to a syrupy consistency.
- Store-Bought Balsamic Vinaigrette: This dressing typically combines olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and other ingredients.
- Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette: Mix equal parts extra virgin olive oil and high-quality balsamic vinegar, plus about 2 tablespoons of honey, then whisk until emulsified.
- High-Quality Aged Balsamic Vinegar: Italian-aged balsamic vinegar, such as Aceto Balsamico I.G.P. or Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale D.O.P., has a rich, syrupy texture and a milder acidity. It’s perfect on its own as a salad dressing—just drizzle straight from the bottle, using only a small amount.
Recipe tips
- Peaches: For the best flavor, use fresh yellow peaches during their summer season. Make sure they are ripe enough. If fresh peaches aren’t available, you can substitute with defrosted frozen peaches or canned peaches, though fresh is always preferable.
- Ripe Peaches: Ensure your peaches are ripe, as unripe peaches won't be as sweet and may have a rough texture. If your peaches aren’t ripe yet, allow them to ripen at room temperature for a few days.
- Yellow Peaches: While white peaches are tasty, yellow peaches offer a more vibrant presentation.
- Firm Peaches: Opt for firm (but ripe!) peaches, especially if you’re preparing the salad ahead of time, as they’ll hold up better.
- Grilled Peaches: Enhance the flavor and presentation by grilling the peaches before adding them to the salad.
- Leafy Greens: Add spinach, arugula, or a mix of both.
- Prosciutto Substitute: If prosciutto isn’t available, cooked chopped bacon is a great alternative.
- Add Protein: Turn this salad into a satisfying weeknight dinner by adding grilled chicken, sautéed or grilled shrimp, or salmon. Rotisserie chicken is also a convenient option.
Serving suggestions
This simple Peach Caprese Salad is an ideal summer side dish, perfect alongside grilled steaks, chicken, burgers, or sandwiches. With peach season being so short, be sure to make the most of it with this salad. If it’s too hot outside to use the grill or oven, try these light and summery stovetop dinner recipes—they pair beautifully with the Peach Caprese Salad:
- Parmesan Zucchini Tomato Chicken Spaghetti with Basil Pesto
- Cilantro-Lime and Black Bean Shrimp and Rice (30-Minute, One-Pan Meal)
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Zucchini, Corn, and Ravioli
- Mediterranean Salmon with Rice and Chickpeas
- Italian Sausage Pasta with Spinach, Mushrooms, and Tomato Sauce
More summer peach salads to try
- Peach and Blueberry Spinach Salad with Prosciutto, Pecans, and Balsamic Dressing
- Peach Pasta Salad with Arugula and Tomatoes
- Summer Fruit Salad with Peaches, Cherries, and Honey-Lemon Dressing
- Summer Peach & Blackberry Salad with Pecans, Feta, and Balsamic Glaze
- Summer Pasta Salad with Peaches, Spinach, Tomatoes, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella Cheese
Peach Caprese Salad
This simple and healthy Peach Caprese Salad includes all the classic ingredients like cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and balsamic glaze. I’ve also added prosciutto (or bacon as an alternative), fresh cherries, and toasted pine nuts. It’s the perfect summer salad that will add so much flavor and color to any menu!
Ingredients
Ingredients you need to cook
- 3 oz prosciutto
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
Salad ingredients
- 2 yellow peaches thinly sliced
- 2 cups fresh cherries pitted and halved
- 8 oz red cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz fresh Mozzarella cheese pearls - small balls
- fresh basil leaves
Dressing
- ⅓ cup balsamic glaze or reduction, see note below
Instructions
Cook prosciutto
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spread Prosciutto in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Toast for about 10 minutes or more until crispy. Remove from oven.
Toast pine nuts
- Toast pine nuts for about 5 minutes until they turn golden in the preheated oven at 350 F. Watch the nuts carefully as they burn quickly!
Assembly
- On a large serving platter, assemble thinly sliced yellow peaches, halved cherries, halved cherry (or grape) tomatoes, and Mozzarella cheese. Top with crispy prosciutto, toasted pine nuts, and fresh basil leaves.
- Drizzle the salad with the balsamic glaze.
Notes
Salad dressing options
- Homemade balsamic glaze. Make the balsamic glaze by cooking down the balsamic vinegar together with a small amount of honey or brown sugar until the mixture reduces by about half. For example, combine 1 cup of balsamic vinegar + ¼ cup of honey or brown sugar and cook it down. The consistency should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon but not overly thick.
- Use store-purchased balsamic glaze. It is sold in the same aisle as regular balsamic vinegar and/or olive oil. You can also get it on Amazon.
- Use an aged balsamic vinegar made in Italy. Aged balsamic vinegar is often sold in specialized stores or sections of foreign foods at some grocery stores. It has a thick, syrupy consistency, different from regular balsamic vinegar. It's pricey but so worth it. It's sweeter, thicker, and not as acidic as regular balsamic vinegar, and you can use it as is (without cooking down). It should be labeled as Aceto Balsamico I.G.P. or Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale D.O.P.
- Or, use your favorite balsamic vinaigrette-based salad dressing.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information
Peach Caprese Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
452
% Daily Value*
Fat
29
g
45
%
Saturated Fat
11
g
69
%
Trans Fat
0.03
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
10
g
Cholesterol
59
mg
20
%
Sodium
512
mg
22
%
Potassium
521
mg
15
%
Carbohydrates
33
g
11
%
Fiber
3
g
13
%
Sugar
21
g
23
%
Protein
19
g
38
%
Vitamin A
960
IU
19
%
Vitamin C
21
mg
25
%
Calcium
307
mg
31
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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