Recipe Spotlight

You Can Make Caprese Salad with Peaches Too

This summer fruit is the perfect substitute for the traditional tomatoes.

By Danielle Lapierre

Published Aug. 16, 2021.

We all love a classic caprese salad, especially in the summer. The fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and mozzarella cheese, all topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, make for the perfect warm-weather bite.

It’s one of those dishes where simplicity is key and you let the fresh ingredients do the work. But can you use this winning formula to spotlight another summer staple? The test cooks at Cook’s Country did.

In their Peach Caprese Salad recipe, ripe summer peaches replace the tomatoes. I know what you’re thinking: Why fix what’s not broken? Instead, think of it more as a new spin on a classic summer salad.

Sign up for the Cook's Country Dinner Tonight newsletter

10 ingredients. 45 minutes. Quick, easy, and fresh weeknight recipes.

America's Test Kitchen will not sell, rent, or disclose your email address to third parties unless otherwise notified. Your email address is required to identify you for free access to content on the site. You will also receive free newsletters and notification of America's Test Kitchen specials.

In order to get it to work, a few changes needed to be made. For one, the balsamic vinegar didn’t jibe well with the peaches. It muddied their flavor and color and made for a salad that felt disjointed.

A simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper was the solution. The acidity complemented the sweetness of the peaches, and tossing the peach slices in the dressing before assembling ensured that you got a taste of it in every bite.

I love this salad because of its simplicity and the variety of flavors you get in each forkful. When combined with the fresh mozzarella and basil, this salad is different in the best possible way.

I’m not asking you to abandon tomato caprese salad, because I love it as much as the next person. But you should really give this version a try.

Want to learn these six recipes, our all-time reader favorites? Start a free trial to access all these plus our other home kitchen–tested, foolproof recipes.