Some bacon, a few tomatoes, some mozzarella cheese and a handful of basil and you are on your way to make the deliciousness that is this bacon caprese salad recipe!
Jump to:
Why we love this recipe ❤️
Well, I thought I had caprese-ed everything there was to caprese (yes, in my world caprese is a verb) but as it turns out, I HAD FORGOTTEN TO CREATE A BACON VERSION. I know!!
If you haven’t yet discovered the wonder that is caprese, in its purest form it is a delectable conglomeration of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil, and I do love it that way. And along the way I have turned caprese into an appetizer, a steak topping, a chicken salad and a pastry.
But wouldn’t you think the first lightbulb that went off in my head would have been to add bacon to the mix? Well, better late then never, here I am with bacon caprese salad.
It’s a quick and easy combination of all the traditional elements – tomatoes, basil and cheese, with bacon scattered in and a drizzle of olive oil and red wine vinegar.
It’s the perfect side dish to whatever you might have going on as a main course, or a decadent salad all on its own. Especially with some hunks of fresh bread on the side. And super especially if you can score some heirloom tomatoes!
What are heirloom tomatoes? 🍅
Heirloom tomatoes are tomatoes that have been grown from a single, original seed and not cross-bred with other strains for tomato. Heirlooms are famous for their rich and pure flavors, and are usually juicier and a little bit sweeter, and come in all kinds of varieties.
Unlike the cross-bred tomatoes (usually the ones you find in the supermarket), heirlooms are a bit more delicate and yep, a bit more expensive – and usually only available in the summer – but when you are making something where tomatoes are the star of the show, go for it!
Ingredients you need 🥓
Ingredient notes and substitutions 📝
- Bacon: We like thick cut bacon for this recipe, but any kind will work…even turkey bacon if that is your thing!
- Tomatoes: Heirloom tomatoes of any kind are our first choice, but any variety of tomatoes are fine – we have even used halved cherry tomatoes.
- Cheese: Mozzarella is the traditional choice – the fresh kind from the fancy cheese section of your supermarket. Burrata (which is a mixture of mozzarella and cream) is also AMAZING in this recipe.
- Vinegar: We like red wine vinegar for its gentler taste, but you can also use balsamic vinegar…cut it back to 1 tablespoon and taste to see if you want more.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
How to make this recipe 👩🏻🍳
STEP 1: Cook some chopped bacon in a skillet over medium high heat until it’s nice and crisp. Drain it on paper towels, leaving drippings in pan.
STEP 2: Arrange some sliced tomatoes on a platter or individual plates. Tear some mozzarella cheese into bite sized pieces, tucking the pieces in and around the tomatoes. Scatter the cooked bacon and basil leaves on top (if your basil leaves are large, give them a quick chop).
STEP 3: Pour the bacon drippings into a small jar and add some olive oil and vinegar. Close the lid tightly and shake. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and serve it up!
I think I may have reached all new heights of caprese-ness. What do you think??
Recipe FAQs 🧐
Burrata is a fresh Italian cow’s milk cheese. It has an outer shell made of mozzarella cheese and a creamy center made of mozzarella curds and cream. It is rich and luxurious and buttery, and can usually be found in the fancy cheese section of your grocery store.
Like most salads this one is at its very best when it is just made, but it can definitely be put together a few hours ahead, especially if you wait to drizzle the dressing on until the very end.
I wish I could say yes…but nope. You need fresh basil for this recipe, and luckily it is usually available in your grocery store’s produce section, especially in the summer.
Pop your question in the Comments section below the recipe card and I will answer pronto!
What to serve with this recipe 🍽️
This deluxe Caprese salad makes a perfect side dish for grilled steak or chicken, and it can also stand on its own as a main dish with some bread on the side. And a nice tall glass of strawberry lemonade!
Other Caprese recipes we love!
We want to know what you think! 🤔
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below the recipe card. Thank you!
Bacon Caprese Salad
Grab some bacon, tomatoes, cheese and basil and you are all set to make the wonder that is this summertime bacon caprese salad recipe!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, cut into pieces
- 2–3 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- 8 ounces burrata or mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels, leaving drippings in pan.
- Arrange the sliced tomatoes on a platter or individual plates. Tear the cheese into bite sized pieces, tucking the pieces in and around the tomatoes. Scatter the cooked bacon and basil leaves on top (if your basil leaves are large, give them a quick chop).
- Pour the bacon drippings into a small jar and add the oil and vinegar. Close the lid tightly and shake.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and serve!
Notes
- Bacon: We like thick cut bacon for this recipe, but any kind will work…even turkey bacon if that is your thing!
- Tomatoes: Heirloom tomatoes of any kind are our first choice, but any variety of tomatoes are fine – we have even used halved cherry tomatoes.
- Cheese: Mozzarella is the traditional choice – the fresh kind from the fancy cheese section of your supermarket. Burrata (which is a mixture of mozzarella and cream) is also AMAZING in this recipe.
- Vinegar: We like red wine vinegar for its gentler taste, but you can also use balsamic vinegar…cut it back to 1 tablespoon and taste to see if you want more.
Mimi Rippee says
A fabulous idea! Have you ever used stracciatella? It’s the inside of burrata and it would be perfect for this salad!
http://www.chefmimiblog.com
Mimi – great minds!! My local supermarket just started carrying stracciatella and I can’t stop buying (and eating!) it and yes! I am 100% going to use that next time I make this salad.
terry says
Made this last night – excellent! Thank you!
I’m so glad! It’s my new caprese crush. :)
Liza Voges says
Brilliant! Can’t wait to make this.
Thanks Liza! Hope you love it.
Linda says
I love this, I have all the ingredients and will make tonight! One question, do you pour the dressing on while still warm? Thanks for your wonderful recipes and great blog.
Hi Linda! I do! If you slice the tomatoes and tear up the cheese before you make the dressing, it will have cooled down just enough to be warm and not hot. It’s the best – I hope you love it!!
Linda says
Thanks for the answer, I can’t wait for dinner!
I hope dinner was scrumptious!!
Linda says
I wanted to let you know that this is my new, go to, caprese recipe. With our abundance of tomatoes and basil we have always loved the combination. Your addition of bacon and the dressing, well,we have had it 3 nights in a row and I am taking it to a family dinner tonight. Thanks so much for this recipe.
Linda, I’m so glad!! It’s new new caprese obsession too. :)