If you try tomatoes one way this summer, make it this way.
This is a Caprese salad made with heirloom tomatoes and a hot bacon dressing — and it’s absolutely stunning.
I’m a big fan of hot bacon dressing. It’s been a family favorite for years — one of my mom’s go-to dressings — and I’ve used it on spinach salads and potato-asparagus salads because the combination of smoky bacon fat, a touch of sweetness and bright vinegar is incredible. It’s more of a vinaigrette than a creamy dressing, and I love that.
When I discovered a bacon Caprese concept, I was floored. A BLT’s flavor profile — crunchy smoky bacon with ripe tomatoes — is one of the best pairings, so turning that into a Caprese by dressing ripe tomatoes with hot bacon vinaigrette and adding fresh mozzarella and basil felt like pure summer genius.
The result is irresistible: juicy heirloom tomatoes, crumbled crispy bacon folded into a warm, slightly sweet and tangy vinaigrette, ribbons of fresh basil, and slices of fresh mozzarella. It’s simple, but the flavor is intense and totally addictive.
Serve it for a summer dinner party or just for yourself — it’s impressive and easy to pull together. It’s still a salad, so it feels light and seasonal, and it showcases tomatoes at their best.
The plate needs almost no explanation: slice ripe heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, scatter torn basil leaves, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with the hot bacon dressing so the warm bacon fat slightly softens the cheese and enhances the tomatoes’ sweetness. The dressing brings smoky, sweet, and tangy notes that elevate every bite.
This is the quintessential summer salad: bright, fresh, and full of flavor. It’s easy to scale up for a crowd or keep simple for a weeknight dinner. Trust me — everyone who tries it will be impressed, and you’ll want it on repeat.
Hot Bacon Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes
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Ingredients
- 4 medium heirloom tomatoes sliced
- 2 8-ounce balls of fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
hot bacon dressing
- 3 tablespoons bacon fat
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 slices bacon crumbled
Instructions
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Layer the tomato slices, mozzarella slices and torn basil on a plate or platter. Season with salt and pepper, then drizzle with the hot bacon dressing and serve immediately.
hot bacon dressing
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Combine bacon fat, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and Dijon mustard in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and the dressing slightly emulsifies. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the crumbled bacon just before serving. Keep warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, or reheat gently in a saucepan when ready to serve.
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I appreciate you so much!
I could eat that plate every single day.