Mediterranean Marinated Mozzarella, Olive & Tomato Salad

This colorful appetizer-style salad combines fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, green and black olives, pistachios, rosemary, garlic, herbs, and olive oil. The combination is similar to Mediterranean-style tomato, mozzarella, and olive salads.

Ingredients

8 oz (225 g) fresh mozzarella balls/bocconcini
1½ cups cherry tomatoes
½ cup green olives, pitted
½ cup Kalamata or black olives, pitted
¼ cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 garlic clove, finely minced
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp red pepper flakes
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1–2 fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the tomatoes: Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes. Halve the larger ones.
Prepare the mozzarella: Drain the mozzarella balls well and pat them gently with paper towels.
Make the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Combine: Add tomatoes, green olives, black olives, and mozzarella.
Add pistachios: Sprinkle in the chopped pistachios and gently toss everything together.
Marinate: Cover and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes so the herbs and olive oil flavor the mozzarella and vegetables. Marinating mozzarella and olives with herbs and olive oil is a common preparation for this style of salad.
Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with a little extra olive oil, and garnish with fresh rosemary.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 30–60 minutes
Total Time: About 45–75 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Salad / Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired

Approx. Nutrition Per Serving

Based on 6 servings; actual values vary with mozzarella, oil, olives, and pistachio amounts.

Calories: ~300–340 kcal
Protein: ~11–13 g
Carbohydrates: ~8–10 g
Fat: ~27–30 g
Fiber: ~2 g
Sugar: ~3–4 g

Nut Information

Contains nuts: Pistachios.

Tree nuts: Yes — pistachios
Peanuts: No
Nut-free: No, because of pistachios
Dairy: Yes — mozzarella
Gluten-free: Yes, when using certified gluten-free ingredients
Vegetarian: Yes
Vegan: No, because of mozzarella

Nut-free option: Simply leave out the pistachios. You can add toasted sunflower seeds for crunch.

Q&A

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. It can be prepared several hours ahead and kept refrigerated.

Q: Can I use feta instead of mozzarella?
Yes. Feta gives the salad a saltier Mediterranean flavor.

Q: Can I skip the pistachios?
Absolutely. The salad will still be delicious without them.

Q: Can I use dried rosemary?
Yes. Use about 1 teaspoon dried rosemary instead of 2 tablespoons fresh.

Q: Can I add basil?
Yes! Fresh basil pairs especially well with tomatoes and mozzarella. Tomato-mozzarella combinations with fresh basil and olive oil are classic Mediterranean-style preparations.

Q: How long will it keep?
For best quality, refrigerate in an airtight container and enjoy within 2–3 days.

Q: Is it good for a party?
Yes! Serve it as an appetizer with crusty bread, crackers, or alongside grilled chicken.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.