This caprese quinoa salad takes the summer bounty and turns it into a fresh side dish. It features just a few fresh ingredients and it highlights the flavors of each. The combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic makes for a fabulous salad.
This is the perfect summer salad. It is fresh, light flavorful and uses some of the produce that is going crazy right now. The quinoa adds great nutrition and texture to the mix and of course cheese is a staple!
It is great for potlucks, picnics or as a side to your favorite grilled entrée. Or if you prefer, stir in some chicken for a perfect lunch or light dinner.
My herb garden is overrun with basil right now. I think it would take over the yard if I would let it.
As it is, I need to keep it trimmed so it doesn’t lean over the sidewalk. It is tall and bushy and ready to be used!
We were getting ready to go to another weekend BBQ. After all of the ribs, pulled pork, corn casserole and macaroni and cheese from the previous night, I thought a lighter and brighter side dish might be in order.
Our cherry tomato plants have been prolific as well. Little Dude and the neighbor kid like to just eat them as a snack while they are playing which of course I love!
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Even so, I had plenty to use for this salad along with that fresh basil. Just a few other simple ingredients and a healthy and tasty side was born!
I’ve made this many times now and have used both halved cherry tomatoes and chopped tomatoes. I’ve also used fresh mozzarella and block mozzarella. It’s all good!
It is hard to go wrong with fresh tomatoes, basil and cheese!
Cutting cherry tomatoes (or grapes) in half easily
Place a handful of cherry tomatoes or gapes on a small saucer or Tupperware lid. Tip another plate or lid upside down over the tomatoes.
Apply a small amount of pressure on the top plate with your noncutting hand to hold the fruit on place. Then use a large sharp knife to cut them in half across the equator. Voila!
More great recipes for fresh tomatoes:
Savory tomato and cheese pie is a beautiful way to serve big ripe tomatoes. It is kind of like a tomato sandwich in pie form!
Parmesan roasted zucchini and cherry tomatoes is a perfect way to use both types of prolific summer produce. It comes together quickly and tastes amazing!
Or try making Mediterranean quinoa salad with tomatoes and cucumber. It is another fresh and delicious summer salad.
Caprese Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1½ cups quinoa
- 8 ounces mozzarella diced
- 3½ cups tomato chopped
- ¾ cup fresh basil chiffonade
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt & black pepper
- Optional: additional chopped tomatoes and basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook quinoa according to package directions and cool1½ cups quinoa
- Mix together the rest of the ingredients. Stir in cooled and fluffed quinoa.8 ounces mozzarella, 3½ cups tomato, ¾ cup fresh basil chiffonade, 2 Tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Best served right away and at room temperature, though is also good out of the refrigerator. Cover and chill any leftovers.
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Especially good with fresh produce!
I know I'm late to the game but I still haven't tried quinoa yet. This looks really good though and I will hang onto this recipe when I get a chance to buy some. Thanks for sharing at Inspiration Thursday!
It is nice to have another healthy grain option, especially because it cooks a lot more quickly than brown rice! I still use a lot of rice, but I like to mix in quinoa sometimes or use it all together.
Wow, this looks so tasty. I just love tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella together. Pinning!
Me too, it is a fun and healthy side dish that tastes great!
I love a caprese salad, especially when the basil and tomatoes come out of the garden, I love how you paired it with quinoa, a healthier pasta salad! I am going to try this, thanks for sharing!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! It is definitely one you can feel good eating!
That really was good. I usually veto any recipe with balsamic vinegar in it. That will have to change. I thought I didn't like it,but I must now. Thanks for sharing it.
I am glad you liked it!
Delicious! I wish my basil looked like yours. I don't know what I am doing wrong (aside from forgetting to water them), but my herbs just always seem to die. I will need to do some serious basil research so I can make this yummy salad!
I don't know why, but my basil always turns into huge bushes! I have more Thai basil than a restaurant could handle and my sweet basil is going crazy too! You should stop by and get some for yourself 😉
This looks delicious! Pinning! Thanks for sharing at the Best of the Weekend!
Thank you!
Hmmmm, good! Can't wait to try this. Love great salads so much ~
xo
Pat
This is an easy and tasty one! Thanks so much for stopping by!
I've made this and LOVE, LOVE it! I get Trader Joe's red quinoa and use their balsamic.
Great for a meatless night.
Linda
Ooh, I bet the red quinoa is very pretty with this too!
That really was good. I usually veto any recipe with balsamic vinegar in it. That will have to change. I thought I didn't like it,but I must now. Thanks for sharing it.
Sometimes it is good to try things before you ask what is in it!