Caprese Sandwich
Caprese Sandwich is one of our ABSOLUTE Summer sandwiches for picnics, beach trips, light lunches and more! We love everything Caprese here and everything Burrata, and today we merged those together once again with bright flavors of Basil Pesto, summer heirloom tomatoes and more!
Ingredients
Caprese Sandwich
- 1 Focaccia bread flavored or plain, or your favorite crusty bread
- 1 cup arugula
- 5 Heirloom tomatoes sliced into 1/8 thickness
- 2 balls Fresh Mozzarella sliced into 1/8 inch thickness
- 1 small burrata cheese torn apart
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper more or less to taste
- 2 tablespoons balsamic syrup more or less to taste
- 3 tablespoons olive oil more or less to tase
- 1/2 teaspoon chillli flakes optional
Basil Mayo
- 2/3 cup Mayonnaise light is better
- 3 tablespoons Basil Pesto recipe here
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice optional
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
-
Choose your bread and slice it in half.
-
Mix all ingredients for the basil mayo together and set aside.
-
Slather both sides of the bread with the basil mayo generously.
-
Start layering the caprese sandwich. Start with the greens.
-
Go over that with the tomatoes.
-
Cheeses go next.
-
Lots of fresh basil over the cheese, and the seasoning which includes salt, chilli flakes, balsamic and olive oil to your taste. feel free to add more or less of those.
-
Place the other half of the bread over the filling and press firmly.
-
Slice the sandwich and serve right away!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips for Caprese Sandwich
- Always use fresh mozzarella for Caprese recipes, it makes a huge difference and it's how originally it's meant to be! Buy the water packed mozzarella.
- You can find lactose free if you need to like I do!
- Similarly buy fresh burrata that can be lactose free. Burrata cheese is optional, but adds SO MUCH to this sandwich!
- Summer seasonal tomatoes and garden fresh basil are idea to make this recipe, however you can use any type of tomatoes for this recipe. And if you can't find fresh basil leaves, add extra of the Basil Pesto drizzled over the tomatoes not just in the mayo.
- This is one of the best vegetarian sandwiches, however we've made Chicken Caprese and it was a HIT! You can add some chicken, or meats here too!
- Use your favorite bread. A good bread is the ultimate texture binder to this recipe. So focaccia or crusty baguette or ciabatta or sourdough.The best thing is to choose bread that's intact and makes a good portable sandwich.
- You can toast or use a grill pan or oven to toast your bread in butter before assembling.
What to Serve with Caprese Sandwich
- Mediterranean Soup
- Halloumi Fries
- Tabouleh or Tabouli With Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Pan Fried Potatoes
- Luscious Carrot Tomato Basil Soup
Caprese Sandwich Variations
- Grilled Caprese Sandwich: Press in a panini maker with pesto and extra cheese for a melty, warm upgrade.
- Caprese Club Style: Add crispy bacon or prosciutto for a heartier sandwich.
- Vegan Caprese: Use tofu or dairy free mozzarella for a vegan alternative.
- Open Face Caprese/ Caprese Toast: Serve on toasted slices with olive oil and balsamic for a simple, elegant bite.
- Caprese Sliders: Use slider buns and follow our Turkey Sliders or Cheeseburger Sliders for assembly directions.
- Caprese Sandwich Skewers: Similar to our Caprese Skewers, except you will cut the sandwich into chunks and skewer them.
What is Caprese?
Caprese is an Italian dish from the island of Capri. It's made using fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil, seasoned with salt, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
What’s the Best Bread for Caprese Sandwiches?
Our favorite bread to use for this recipe is focaccia. But any crusty bread will work like ciabatta or sourdough or baguette. Overall you want to avoid soft white breads as they're not sturdy enough to handle the toppings.
Do I need Basil Pesto?
No, but we LOVE it! We always make large batches of our Basil Pesto and I share a full tutorial on freezing it and storing so you never run out of basil pesto all year round! So while we LOVE our homemade pesto, you can use store bought.
What can I add to Caprese Sandwich?
Aside from the classics, add your favorite meats, roast veggies, and any ingredients you like! keep in mind not to over stuff the sandwich so it's easier to eat :)
Caprese Chicken Sandwich
While we may make this into a separate post, for now you can make this by adding some grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken tossed with basil pesto, or better yet Chicken Caprese cooled and sliced up. Add it over the greens before proceeding with the tomatoes.
Is a Caprese sandwich healthy?
Yes, it’s generally a balanced option with fresh vegetables, protein from cheese, and healthy fats from olive oil. Using whole grain bread would add some extra fiber.
Can I grill the Caprese sandwich?
Absolutely! Grilling or toasting helps melt the cheese slightly and crisps the bread, creating a warm and flavorful version. Press the assembled sandwich into a panini press or outdoor grill until the bread is golden brown.
Do I need to use balsamic glaze?
No it’s optional, but balsamic glaze adds sweetness and acidity that brightens the sandwich.
Can I make this vegan?
Yes! Replace the mozzarella with tofu or a dairy free cheese alternative and use vegan pesto or olive oil.
How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?
Lightly toast or grill the bread first and avoid adding heavy dressing or sauce to bread before assembly. Also add balsamic glaze at the end