Appetizer Salad

A Caprese salad is a classic go-to appetizer when having guests over, especially if it’s toward the end of the summer and you have fresh tomatoes on hand. While it is certainly a tasty, crowd-pleasing choice, what if we told you that you could upgrade that Caprese salad appetizer with ten times the amount of flavor? Insert this appetizer salad recipe.

Between the roasted sweet red pepper, the marinated artichoke hearts and the briny olives, this Caprese salad appetizer will certainly wow your guests—and all you have to do is open up a few jars.

Ingredients for Appetizer Salad

• Roasted sweet red pepper strips: You could keep things simple with a store-bought jar, or go the more ambitious route and make roasted red peppers yourself.
• Mozzarella cheese: Look for fresh mozzarella for the best-tasting appetizer salad recipe.
• Grape tomatoes: Add acidity and flavor to this Caprese salad appetizer.
• Artichoke hearts: Make things easier for yourself and buy a jar of marinated quartered artichoke hearts. They’re already tasty and ready to go.
• Pimiento stuffed and pitted ripe olives: Use both for spicy flavor and a briny finish.
• Dried basil and parsley: If you prefer fresh herbs, the rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon fresh herbs for 1 teaspoon dried.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

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In a large bowl, combine the roasted sweet red pepper strips, mozzarella cheese, grape tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, pimiento-stuffed olives, pitted ripe olives, dried basil, dried parsley flakes and the pepper to taste. Toss to mix.

Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours before serving.

Step 2: Serve with bread or on lettuce

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Serve the salad with slices of baguette or over lettuce.

Editor’s Tip: Serve the appetizer salad recipe as crostini. Slice up the baguette and spread the slices with some olive oil, then toast them in the oven until golden brown. Scoop some of the salad on the bread for easy serving to guests.

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Recipe Variations

• Use mozzarella pearls: If you don’t want to chop up a ball of fresh mozzarella, you could always use the smaller mozzarella pearls to keep things even easier as you toss together this Caprese salad appetizer.
• Serve with pasta: To make this appetizer salad recipe hearty, toss it with cooked short pasta, like penne or ziti.
• Drizzle with balsamic glaze: If you’re serving this appetizer salad recipe on slices of baguette, elevate the app by adding a drizzle of balsamic glaze (and even a light sprinkling of chopped basil) on top .
• Add cured meats: For an even more filling appetizer salad option, toss in chunks of a chopped cured meat, like salami or pepperoni.

How to Store Appetizer Salad

Appetizer salad will last for up to two or three days in an airtight container in the fridge. After that, the ingredients will start to get soggy and won’t have the right kind of appealing texture you desire in such a fresh salad.

Can you make appetizer salad ahead of time?

Yes! If you want to make the salad a few hours before guests arrive, this Caprese salad appetizer will sit fine in the fridge until it’s time to serve. It may even help with combining all those delicious flavors!

Appetizer Salad Tips

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How long can the appetizer salad recipe sit out?

Although there isn’t any meat in this recipe, because the Caprese salad appetizer does contain fresh cheese, you won’t want to leave the salad out for more than two hours. While it will sit just fine during your get together, after two hours, pop it back in the fridge to be safe.

Does appetizer salad need a dressing?

While this appetizer salad recipe has enough flavor on its own, you could bring all the flavors together even more by adding a homemade Italian vinaigrette to give this salad a nice finish.

What pairs well with appetizer salad?

While this Caprese salad appetizer works well before the meal (it is in the name!), it can also serve well as a side dish. We think any grilled meats, like grilled steak or grilled kabobs, are great options as the main to go with your appetizer salad side.