Sweet fresh peaches combined with vine ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella is an incredible way to enjoy a new twist on an old favorite. This peach tomato Caprese is a flavorful way to enjoy sliced peaches this peach season. Whether you are serving up a small salad plate or a whole bowl, combining authentic Caprese salad recipe ingredients with fresh summer peaches is just divine.
Caprese salad is one of those classic salad recipes that doubles down as an appetizer and a salad. Served in high end restaurants to regular kitchens, there really is something special about the combination of sweet tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
This Peach Caprese salad takes the traditional Caprese and gives it a new feel. Taking favorite summer peach flavors, this unforgettable peach Caprese combines the bold tomato, fresh soft mozzarella and sweetened peach into a delight for all the senses.
Smell the sweet peach and taste its dripping juice, Peach Caprese salad is a twist you will never get enough of.
Simple Peach Caprese Salad
This year as the white peaches and sweet yellow peaches crop hits the stores, you may be asking yourself (as I ask myself) how can I incorporate the years first ripe peaches into a dish. This peach salad is a bright, bold and just so good summer salad that will help you dive into those sweet peaches!
Just like avocado salad, peach salad and honestly even classic Caprese salad relies on the freshness of the ingredients you use.
- Tomatoes – For the best tasting Caprese salad, I personally love vine ripe tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes.
- Fresh Mozzarella – Either fresh mozzarella slices or balls of mozzarella (mozzarella pearls) work great.
- Ripe Peaches – peaches can be hard to come by in early spring as Peaches are a summer crop that runs from May to September. Generally you can find a few random VERY SMALL ones (that still taste great) early at places like Fresh Market and Whole Foods.
- Fresh Herbs – There really is no substitute for FRESH herbs. I like grabbing entire pots of basil, cilantro and mint and leaving to grow all year so I can snip when needed. For this salad, fresh basil works great but you can also use fresh mint if preferred. Both provide a different taste and I prefer a more traditional basil.
- Seasonings – salt, black cracked pepper
- Red Onion – When making salads, red onions can be overpowering. Just like in Pomodori Bruschette, the best way to take out some of the sting of a red onion for salads is to soak the onion slices in cold water for 30 minutes.
- Lemon Juice & EVOO – To make a really fresh and easy dressing, lemon juice and EVOO help keep the natural peach flavors sweet.
- Balsamic Drizzle/Glaze – Make homemade Balsamic Reduction or simply grab a bottle from the store. A little drizzle goes a long way and this is an optional additionally flavor for Caprese. Very Good!
How to tell if a Peach is Ripe
Peaches can vary in color depending on the type of peaches, but a more ripe peach won’t typically have any green left on the fruit. Additionally, a perfectly ripe peach is slightly soft (NOT FIRM! Firm peaches are also super hard to cut for salad recipes).
If you get a peach that needs more time, just set on a counter for a day or two and check the peach. Peaches in fruit bowls on top of other peaches and fruit can quickly spoil, so if making this Peach Caprese Salad, set them apart on the counter prior to prepping.
The key to any summer salad is FRESH, RIPE and ready fruit. Try to always use in season vegetables and fruit for the best tasting and most vibrant salad.
Types of Peaches for Peach Salad
Yellow Peaches – Yellow peaches have that strong peach smell, come in a variety of orange/red colors, and should have a little give when ripe.
White Peaches – White peaches are a tad sweeter and honestly, they are SO good. If you get a chance to combine yellow and white peaches for a Caprese peach salad, it would be a beautiful and great option.
Nectarines – Yes, nectarines are a peach! But nectarines can be a more firm fruit and harder to cut for salads. That being said, the taste is quite similar to a regular peach and a good substitute if out of peach season.
What is the Peach Caprese Salad?
Peach Caprese Salad relies on the already amazing flavors of the summer peach, the ripe tomato and the fresh cheese to pull together a perfect combination of deliciousness. Of course a few bright and fresh basil leaves brings a bit of color and a little bit of pop. Drizzle on some balsamic and perfection!
How do I make Peach Caprese Salad?
This simple salad is all about the prep. Making sure to properly slice and cut tomatoes, mozzarella and peaches into bite sized pieces is the majority of this easy side dish prep.
Our full Peach Caprese Salad recipe is below in an easy to print recipe card.
How Much Does a Peach Cost?
Peaches are not exactly cheap during the non-summer months and can be difficult to find. That is why we really push that you should try and enjoy this fresh salad during the peach months when they are much more affordable and plentiful. Having fresh and ripe peaches make all the difference in the perfect salad. They run anywhere (depending on area, store, etc) to $5-$6 a bag typically.
Caprese Salad Recipes
There are so many ways to enjoy juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and homegrown basil leaves – this Peach Caprese Salad is just the beginning! Here are many variations of the classic Caprese recipe just waiting to be made.
Check out all our fresh salad (and salad inspired) ideas – your mouth will thank you!
- Hot Caprese Dip
- Caprese Everything Bagel Salad
- Homemade Caprese Pizza
- Ensalada Caprese
- Caprese Sliders
- Strawberry Caprese Salad
- Feta Cheese Dip
- Feta Pasta
Peach Caprese Salad
Ingredients
- 2 Vine Ripe Tomatoes - sliced or chunked
- 12 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese - cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 pound fresh ripe peaches - sliced
- 1/4 th to 1/2 red onion - sliced thin
- 8 fresh Basil Leaves - chopped
- Black Pepper
- Balsamic Glaze
Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons EVOO
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prep if the key to great salads. Tomatoes should either be sliced thin or bite sized tomatoes. Slice peaches into thin slices OR bite sized pieces.
- Slice red onions into thin slices and if wanted, soak in cold water for 30 minutes to take down some of the sharp onion flavor in fresh salads.
- Cut fresh mozzarella into bite sized pieces. If preferred, use mozzarella pearls.
- Tear or cut fresh basil leaves.
- Add peaches into large salad bowl.
- Dump tomatoes on top of peaches
- Sprinkle fresh mozzarella pieces onto tomatoes.
- Place sliced red onions into bowl.
- in a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Pour dressing over salad and lightly and gently toss, covering all vegetables and fruit.
- Crackle black pepper all over salad.
- Scatter fresh chopped basil leaves around salad.
- Drizzle Balsamic Glaze around salad.
- Serve!
Recipe Notes
- How long will salad store? Personally I find that this is a 1-2 day salad. Cut tomatoes and peaches do leak fresh juices that combine and make the salad softer. The best way to serve this salad is day of.
- Any ingredient can be doubled. If you like more cheese, add more cheese. If you want more peaches, add more peaches.
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