This tomato mozzarella salad is simple, yet elegant. It tastes absolutely amazing if you use fresh homegrown or farmer’s market tomatoes and a great quality balsamic vinegar. For the best look, plate them individually on salad plates when serving for a dinner party.
I have to admit, this is not an original idea. I saw a version of this online somewhere with mozzarella slices but thought if you used the mozzarella pearls or Ciliegine (paid link) (cherry sized mozzarella) it would be a little healthier in points. Normally I like to do caprese salad with cherry tomatoes on skewers but this is a nice twist!
Where did the term hasselback come from?
You’ve may have heard of hasselback potatoes. The Swedish side dish gets its name from a restaurant in Stockholm. Hasselback potatoes are seasoned potatoes, cut half- way through not quite to the bottom of the potato into thin fan-like slices. This hasselback caprese salad uses the same slicing technique, slicing the tomatoes not quite all the way through to the bottom. Super simple, yet eye-catching.
![tomato sliced hasselback style on a black and white striped plate with basil, mozzarella and balsamic vinegar](https://gourmetdoneskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tomato-Mozzarella-Salad-_.jpg)
How to make Caprese Tomato Mozzarella Salad – Hasselback style in pictures:
![roma tomato sliced with knife](https://gourmetdoneskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tomato-Mozzarella-Salad-cut-tomato.jpg)
Wash and pat tomato dry. Slice tomato being careful not to cut all the way down to the bottom.
![Roma tomato sliced with basil leaves in between slices and one mozzarella pearl](https://gourmetdoneskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tomato-Mozzarella-Salad-arrange-basil-and-mozzarella.jpg)
![tomato sliced hasselback style on a black plate with basil, mozzarella and balsamic vinegar](https://gourmetdoneskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tomato-Mozzarella-Salad-with-balsamic-on-black-plate.jpg)
Sprinkle with kosher salt (paid link) and freshly ground pepper. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar immediately before serving.
Other creative caprese tomato salad ideas:
![heirloom tomato cut into flower shape with basil and mozzarella](https://gourmetdoneskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tomato-Mozzarella-Salad-heirloom-tomato-flower.jpg)
For a different look, try using heirloom tomatoes. Cut the tomato into 5 sections and arrange basil and mozzarella -resembles a flower.
![Watermelon Burrata Salad- closeup of tomatoes, basil, burrata on a black plate with a fork.](https://gourmetdoneskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Watermelon-Burrata-Salad-closeup.jpg)
If you love tomatoes, you might also like my Summer Watermelon Tomato Salad with Burrata, Basil and Mint.
![Want my 20 Best Food and Cooking tips sign from Gourmet Done Skinny on a grey background with beige border and yellow button](https://gourmetdoneskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Copy-of-Opt-in-for-side-bar-2-1-300x300.png)
![](https://gourmetdoneskinny.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Tomato-Mozzarella-Salad-_.jpg)
Easy Tomato Mozzarella Salad Hasselback Style
Ingredients
- 1 to mato - Romas work well you can use any kind but make sure they are fresh. I like Romas because of the long shape
- 3-6 fresh basil leaves
- 1 oz.Mozzarella Pearls if you can find them or Mozzarella Ciliegine
- 1 T. balsamic vinegar - use a good quality the thicker the better. My absolute favorite is 18 year old traditional balsamic from Mediterraneo but I also love the oils and vinegars from Trio Carmel.
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash tomato and pat dry with paper towel.
- Slice the tomato evenly being careful not to cut down all the way to the bottom.
- Arrange the basil and Mozzarella Pearls or Ciliegine in between each slice of tomato. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve right away. You can make these up ahead of time, just don't put the vinegar on until right before serving.