Mason Jar Caprese Salad (Printable)

Fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil layered in a jar for easy picnics and on-the-go meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables & Herbs

01 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained
03 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves

→ Dressing

04 - 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar
06 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Method:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic glaze or vinegar, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
02 - Divide the dressing evenly among four clean 16-ounce pint-sized mason jars, pouring it into the bottom of each.
03 - Add the halved cherry tomatoes on top of the dressing in each jar as the first solid layer.
04 - Layer the fresh mozzarella balls on top of the tomatoes in each jar.
05 - Finish with a final layer of fresh basil leaves in each jar.
06 - Seal the jars tightly with lids and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 24 hours.
07 - When serving, gently shake the jar to distribute the dressing throughout, or pour contents onto a plate and toss gently to combine.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely pretty to look at, and people always seem impressed when they realize you made it yourself.
  • The dressing stays where it belongs at the bottom instead of wilting everything into submission before you eat it.
  • Zero cooking means you can make four of these in fifteen minutes without breaking a sweat.
02 -
  • Fresh mozzarella will absorb dressing if it sits too long, so these are genuinely best the same day—resist the temptation to make them two days ahead.
  • Never skip the step of draining your mozzarella balls thoroughly, because even a little extra moisture will water down the whole jar and make it taste flat.
03 -
  • Make sure your mason jars are completely dry before layering, because any water will dilute your dressing and make the whole thing taste watered down.
  • Shake the jar gently right before eating instead of pouring it into a bowl—something about the ritual of eating straight from the jar makes it taste better, honestly.
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