These easy-to-make Caprese Salad Skewers are the perfect appetizer for any time of year. It is especially refreshing in the summer when tomatoes and basil are picked fresh from the garden.
Updated in May 2025.
Not only are these skewers easy to make, but they are also easy to eat. And they are colourful, so they brighten up a table. And they make a great fresh appetizer for a backyard BBQ.
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What is Caprese Salad
Caprese Salad is an Italian salad representing the three colours of the Italian Flag and dates back to the 1920s.
A traditional Caprese Salad has five ingredients, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, layered on a plate.
Ingredients For Caprese Salad Skewers
The ingredients for this appetizer are simple and easy to find—seven ingredients in total, including salt and pepper.
- Cherry or Grape tomatoes. Whichever is easiest to find will work. Sometimes I use different colours of cherry tomatoes that I find at our local grocer.
- Mozzarella. Cubed fresh mozzarella works great for these skewers. Bocconcini balls can also be used.
- Fresh Basil. It has to be fresh basil for this recipe. The basil is added to the skewers, tomatoes, and cheese, so full leaves are recommended.
- Balsamic Vinegar. Any balsamic vinegar will work. It will need to be reduced to make a glaze. If you prefer, a balsamic reduction can be purchased already made. I have used it in a pinch when time is limited.
- Olive Oil. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the choice for this dish.
Get all these ingredients online at Voilà.
Easier Way To Serve Caprese Salad
By using skewers to make this salad, it is easier to serve. The skewers turn this salad into a hand-held appetizer that can be served for any occasion.
The recipe is simple. With very little math, you can adjust the recipe to make as many servings as you need. Each skewer is one tomato, one cube of mozzarella, and one basil leaf.
How To Serve This Appetizer
Serving this appetizer is easy. Line a plate with the prepared skewers and serve. We serve this dish at barbecues, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. This appetizer has also been served at baby showers and bridal showers.
In the summer, they are great to serve at a BBQ or for a picnic. They are an easy afternoon snack in the summer, made with fresh seasonal ingredients. We grow tomatoes and basil in our garden, so we can make these from fresh ingredients.
They are the perfect colours for Christmas. The red of the tomatoes and green of the basil make them a festive appetizer to serve at this time of year.
These also make a great snack or can be packed in a lunch for work or school.
Our kids love them as a snack because they are grab-and-go. And when we have the ingredients on hand, they make them for their friends.
Alternative to Balsamic Reduction
There have been times when we don’t reduce the Balsamic Vinegar. Instead, we place a bowl of balsamic vinegar along with a bowl of olive oil and some chopped basil to add to the skewers at the table. This allows everyone to enjoy as much or as little vinegar and oil as they like.
Balsamic reduction is also available in some grocery stores and it can be used instead of making it.
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover skewers, wrap them in plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge for 24-48 hours.
For another great tomato recipe, try our fresh homemade salsa.
If you made this recipe we would love to hear about it. Leave a comment below letting us know.
Caprese Salad Skewers
Equipment
- 24 toothpicks
Ingredients
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 24 cherry or grape tomatoes
- 24 mozzarella cubes.
- 24 basil leaves
- 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Place balsamic vinegar in a small pot and simmer over medium-low heat until reduced to half, stirring, about 20 minutes.*
- Add a tomato to a toothpick, then add a cheese cube wrapped in a basil leaf.
- Repeat with remaining toothpicks and ingredients.
- Arrange skewers on a plate and drizzle with balsamic reduction and olive oil.
- Serve.
your site was like a one stop shop for me. i made four of your recipes this weekend for my sisters bridal shower and they were all a hit including this one. i love that they are like finger food. amazing.