Low Carb Caprese Salad

This low carb Caprese salad makes the easiest Italian summer salad no one would ever know was low in carbs and keto friendly. Just 2 net carbs per serving and 11g of protein!

Is Caprese salad low carb?

Caprese salad can be part of a low carb health plan as long as you track the macros (the proteins, carbs, and fats) and know what ingredients you're using. Caprese is sometimes made with balsamic glaze, which often has added sugar on the ingredients list.

The ingredients individually are lower in carbs as it's made by layering fresh mozzarella cheese slices, thick tomato slices, basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic.

You'll love this healthy Caprese salad!

Our healthy Caprese salad is made without added sugar and just uses pure high quality ingredients with summer produce picked during their peak season.

Serve the low carb Caprese salad with a simple grilled, air fried, or baked chicken recipe to make this an easy Italian high protein low carb dinner.

Italian Caprese flavors are so delicious! You'll want to add our low carb chicken Caprese bake, burrata Caprese salad, and make ahead Caprese skewers (our go-to appetizer!) to your menu rotation.

Key Ingredients

• Roma tomatoes - smaller round tomatoes on a vine or Compari tomatoes will also work. The key is to cut tomatoes the same size as the mozzarella. You can also use cherry tomatoes if you use fresh mini mozzarella balls instead of slices.
• Fresh Mozzarella - comes in a container with liquid to keep it moist, often in a log shape, large ball, or in small bite-sized balls.
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic glaze- a thicker syrup-like balsamic sauce, balsamic vinegar can also be substituted. Some cheaper brands of balsamic add sugar, so look for high quality brands that are pure balsamic.
• Fresh basil leaves - substituting dried basil is not recommended, fresh is best!
• Salt and pepper - we always use fine sea salt or pink Himalayan salt and ground black pepper.

How to make a healthy Caprese salad

Step 1: Slice tomatoes and cheese about ½" thick. Alternating the tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, on a round plate or small platter lay them in a circular pattern, overlapping them slightly.

Step 2: Sprinkle or tuck in small fresh basil leaves in between the layers of tomato slices and fresh Mozzarella cheese slices. You can cut the basil into smaller strips if you have large basil leaves.

Step 3: Season. Drizzle the top with balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil to taste. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

FAQs

Can you substitute regular mozzarella instead of fresh mozzarella?

Technically yes, you can use regular mozzarella instead of fresh, but your cheese will not have the rich flavor or the soft texture that fresh mozzarella has. For this recipe, fresh mozzarella is highly recommended.

What goes with Caprese?

Caprese salad is best served alongside some other classic low carb Italian flavors, our favorite is to serve this salad alongside juicy shrimp, grilled chicken breasts or healthy baked chicken for a simple high protein low carb dinner. More ideas:

• A salami and cheese platter
• Keto chicken parmesan casserole
• Skillet keto chicken alfredo
• Tuscan chicken

Is Caprese salad keto friendly?

With all things keto, the key is moderation. As written, our low carb Caprese salad recipe has just 2 net carbs per serving which does make it a keto friendly salad. Being that some brands of balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar add a touch of sugar, if you're following a strict keto diet you'll want to use a drizzle of higher quality balsamic vinegar made without sugar.

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Recipe