Zesty Eggplant Caprese Salad Recipe with Garlicky Twist

Summer’s bounty meets culinary magic in this vibrant eggplant caprese salad with crispy garlic & aged balsamic that promises to dazzle your taste buds.

Tender eggplant slices roast to golden perfection, creating a delectable base for classic Italian flavors.

Ripe tomatoes and creamy mozzarella nestle alongside the smoky eggplant, bringing fresh Mediterranean charm to your plate.

crispy garlic adds an irresistible crunch that elevates every single bite.

Drizzles of aged balsamic glaze weave rich, tangy notes through the dish, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and savory elements that transform a simple salad into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Prepare to fall in love with this easy yet sophisticated summer recipe that celebrates seasonal ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes Into Eggplant Caprese Salad With Crispy Garlic & Aged Balsamic

• Eggplant: Choose firm, glossy purple eggplants with smooth skin, avoiding those with soft spots or blemishes; ensures tender and flavorful slices.
• Garlic: Select plump, firm cloves without green sprouts for a pure, sharp flavor that crisps beautifully when fried.
• Tomatoes: Pick ripe, ruby-red cherry or heirloom tomatoes that are fragrant and slightly soft to touch for maximum sweetness.
• Fresh Basil: Seek bright green leaves with no wilting, offering a peppery, aromatic punch to the salad.

• Mozzarella: Use fresh, soft buffalo mozzarella for creamy texture and delicate milky essence that melts softly on warm eggplant.

• Sea Salt: Helps draw moisture from eggplant and enhances overall flavor profile with clean, mineral notes.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the dish's taste layers.
• Aged Balsamic Vinegar: Choose thick, syrupy vinegar with rich, complex sweetness that creates a luxurious drizzle.
• Olive Oil: Select extra virgin variety for authentic Mediterranean flavor and smooth cooking texture.

Supplies for Eggplant Caprese Salad Assembly

• Chopping board: essential for preparing and slicing ingredients.
• Large frying pan: perfect for cooking eggplant and crispy garlic.
• Paper towel: helps remove moisture from eggplant slices.
• Knife: needed for slicing eggplant, garlic, mozzarella, and tomatoes.
• Large serving plate: for beautifully arranging the final salad.
• Tongs: useful for flipping eggplant and garlic while cooking.

Step-by-Step: Eggplant Caprese Salad With Garlic & Balsamic

• Eggplant Preparation

Salt the slices and let them rest to release excess moisture. This technique helps reduce oil absorption and creates a better texture for cooking.

• Cooking Process

Sear eggplant in a hot pan with a thin oil layer, creating beautiful golden-brown edges. Flip slices to ensure even cooking and develop rich caramelized surfaces.

• Garlic Enhancement

Transform garlic into crispy golden chips in the same pan used for eggplant. These crunchy bits will add an incredible burst of flavor to the salad.

• Salad Construction

Layer cooked eggplant on a plate, then artfully arrange fresh mozzarella, ripe tomato halves, and vibrant basil leaves. Scatter the crispy garlic across the top for a delightful crunch.

• Final Touch

Elevate the dish with a luxurious drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to intensify the Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Creative Adjustments for Your Caprese Salad

• Control heat carefully when frying garlic to prevent burning; watch for a golden-brown color that provides a satisfying crunch without bitter undertones, transforming the entire salad's flavor profile.
• Choose a high-quality aged balsamic vinegar with rich, complex notes; look for varieties from Modena, Italy, that offer a sweet-tangy balance and glossy consistency when drizzled over the salad.
• Swap or mix fresh herbs like mint, oregano, or parsley with basil to create unique flavor dimensions, adding brightness and depth to the classic Caprese combination.
• Grill or roast eggplant slices in the oven for a healthier preparation method, which reduces oil absorption while maintaining a beautiful caramelized exterior and tender interior.

Serving Advice for Eggplant Caprese Presentation

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Create a stunning outdoor spread by arranging the eggplant caprese on a rustic wooden board, surrounded by fresh herbs and crusty Italian bread for dipping.
• Mediterranean Mezze Magic: Transform this salad into a shareable appetizer by serving smaller portions on individual appetizer spoons or small ceramic plates, perfect for cocktail parties or summer gatherings.
• Wine & Dine Pairing: Complement the rich flavors with a chilled glass of crisp pinot grigio or a light sauvignon blanc, enhancing the subtle garlic and balsamic notes of the dish.
• Temperature Twist: Serve the eggplant layers slightly warm for maximum flavor intensity, allowing the mozzarella to become delicately melted and the balsamic to release its deep, complex aromatics.

Storing Eggplant Caprese

• Fridge-Fresh Storage: Keep the assembled salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Separate wet ingredients from crispy elements to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.
• Quick Meal Prep Trick: Slice and salt eggplant, crisp garlic, and chop tomatoes in advance. Store components separately in refrigerator, assembling just before serving to keep ingredients vibrant and crunchy.
• Temperature Harmony: Serve at room temperature for best flavor. Remove eggplant and mozzarella from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before plating to enhance taste and softness of ingredients.
• Smart Leftover Strategy: Transform remaining salad into a warm pasta topping by gently heating eggplant and mozzarella, then tossing with your favorite pasta. Adds delicious Mediterranean flair to next meal without waste.

Rustic Eggplant Caprese Salad

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory eggplant caprese salad showcases Mediterranean flavors with crispy garlic and aged balsamic drizzle. Fresh ingredients and simple preparation invite you to enjoy this classic Italian-inspired summer dish.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large eggplant (aubergine), sliced into 0.5 cm (0.2 inches) thick disks
• 8 cherry tomatoes, halved (1 large tomato can be sliced instead)
• 3 oz (80–90 g) mozzarella cheese, soft (buffalo mozzarella is best), sliced
• 10 medium basil leaves
• 5–6 tbsps olive oil or macadamia oil, more if needed
• 0.5 tsp sea salt
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar
• Extra sea salt and pepper to season

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation of Eggplant: Salt eggplant rounds and allow moisture to release for 10 minutes, creating a foundation for optimal caramelization and minimizing oil absorption during cooking.
2. Sautéing Technique: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Blot eggplant slices dry and arrange in a single layer, developing rich, bronzed exterior with even caramelization. Rotate midway to ensure uniform cooking until both sides achieve a deep golden color.
3. Garlic Crisp Creation: In the same skillet, quickly toast garlic slivers until they transform into delicate, crisp golden medallions that will provide a crunchy flavor accent.
4. Salad Composition: Layer grilled eggplant as the foundational base, strategically placing creamy mozzarella rounds, vibrant tomato halves, and fragrant basil leaves atop each slice.
5. Final Flourish: Scatter crispy garlic fragments across the arranged salad. Drizzle aged balsamic vinegar elegantly over the ingredients, creating a cascading effect. Enhance with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to complete this rustic Mediterranean masterpiece.

Notes

• Drain Moisture Strategically: Salting eggplant removes bitterness and prevents excess oil absorption during cooking, creating a perfect caramelized texture.
• Achieve Golden Perfection: Use medium-high heat and single-layer arrangement to develop rich, even grill marks on eggplant slices without burning.
• Crisp Garlic Technique: Quick toasting transforms garlic slivers into crunchy golden medallions, adding intense flavor and textural contrast to the salad.
• Layering with Precision: Arrange ingredients deliberately, allowing each component to shine while creating a visually stunning and flavor-packed Mediterranean-inspired dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg