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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I have to tell you that I have fallen in love with Quinoa and this salad looks delicious!
It is really good and super simple to make too!
Love the idea of the quinoa with tomatoes and mozzarella! Can't wait to give it a try!
Looks delicious!
It was so good (and healthy to boot!)
Looks like a lovely, light salad. We've (well, my husband) just planted tomatoes and basil so we'll be having some of this soon.
It is very tasty and best with fresh tomatoes and basil! Ours are just winding down and it was a good way to enjoy them before they are done. Thanks for stopping by!
I love quinoa and we usually add it to regular salad, but haven't tried making a caprese salad with it. Will give it a try. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday.
I tend to use rice and pasta more frequently, but I love to mix it up with quinoa now and again. This was a fun way to use it. I hope you love it!
I love caprese salads and have been wanting to make a quinoa version, this sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend?!
Thank you! I really enjoyed bringing something healthy and still fun to share with everyone. It was a nice change from a pasta salad.
I'm liking how you bulked up the usual caprese salad with some quinoa. I recently tried some quinoa salad, and I think I just might have to make some more. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing this recipe on Five Friday Finds!
It really made it a hearty side dish! I think I may have to try some more variations too. It was really easy and delicious!
I like quinoa and your recipe for Caprese Quinoa Salad sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!
Cheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com
I was so sad when it was gone! We had it at a BBQ and then I had the leftovers the next couple of days at lunch. I need to make more while my basil is still good!
Looks delicious!! 🙂
Thank you, it really is!