Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Mozzarella Salad

When you need something quick, refreshing, and a little bit special, this Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Mozzarella Salad hits all the right notes. It’s a vibrant mix of creamy mozzarella, tangy lemon, crispy capers, and the crunch of raw courgettes. What really surprised me was how much flavor you get from just five simple ingredients—this is the kind of salad that makes you feel like you’re on a sunny Mediterranean patio. (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

Main Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons baby capers in brine
• 2 firm mixed-colour courgettes
• 2 lemons
• 2 mild red chillies
• 2 x 125g balls of buffalo mozzarella

Extras:

• Extra virgin olive oil (about 2 tbsp)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

How To Make Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Mozzarella Salad

1. Crisp the Capers: Start by heating a small non-stick pan over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and toss in the baby capers. Let them sizzle gently until they puff up and turn crispy. This gives them a lovely texture and a punchy salty bite—just don’t let them go too far or they’ll turn bitter.
2. Prep the Courgettes: Grab a clean tea towel and coarsely grate your courgettes right onto it. Gather up the edges and wring out as much moisture as you can—this step is key to keeping the salad fresh and not soggy. Tip the grated courgette into a big serving bowl.
3. Add Zing with Lemon and Chilli: Grate the zest of one lemon over the courgettes, then juice both lemons and pour that over as well. Finely slice or grate the red chillies and add them to the bowl—how much you use depends on your heat preference, but I went with two whole chillies and it was a perfect little kick.
4. Dress and Toss: Drizzle over a couple of tablespoons of good extra virgin olive oil, then season with sea salt and black pepper. Use your hands or tongs to toss everything together until it’s all coated and glistening.
5. Finish with Mozzarella and Capers: Tear the buffalo mozzarella over the salad—don’t worry about making it neat, rustic is good here. Spoon over the crispy capers and finish with another crack of black pepper. Serve straight away for the best texture and flavor.

Why I Love This Recipe

I whipped this salad up for a quick lunch and honestly, it felt like something you’d get at a fancy café. It’s light, zesty, and has that lovely balance of creamy and crunchy. My partner kept going back for seconds, and I even packed the leftovers into wraps the next day. The crispy capers are genius, and the raw courgette feels super refreshing.

Recipe Tips

• Dry the courgettes well: A good squeeze in a tea towel makes all the difference in texture.
• Use good mozzarella: Buffalo mozzarella is worth the splurge—it’s creamier and more flavorful.
• Grate the courgettes coarse: This keeps some texture and stops it going mushy.
• Adjust the heat: Use one chilli for milder flavor, two if you like more of a kick.
• Add herbs if you like: A few fresh mint or basil leaves wouldn’t be out of place here.

How To Store This Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Mozzarella Salad

• At Room Temperature Only keep the salad out for serving—no more than 1 hour, as the mozzarella needs to stay fresh.
• In the Fridge Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Try to keep the mozzarella and capers separate from the courgette mix to preserve the texture.
• In the Freezer Not suitable for freezing—mozzarella and raw courgettes don’t thaw well.
• Reheating No need! Just bring the salad to room temperature for a few minutes and enjoy cold.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Can I use regular mozzarella instead of buffalo?
  Sure! Buffalo mozzarella has a creamier texture, but regular will still taste great.
• What if I don’t have courgettes?
  You can sub in cucumber, but be sure to remove the seeds and squeeze out moisture.
• Are the chillies really spicy?
  Mild red chillies add warmth, not a burn—if you’re sensitive, start with just half.
• Can I make this ahead?
  You can prep the courgette and lemon mix in advance, but add the mozzarella and capers just before serving.
• Do I need to peel the courgettes?
  Nope! The skin adds colour and texture—just give them a good wash.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 234 kcal
• Fat: 19g
• Saturated Fat: 9.5g
• Protein: 13g
• Carbohydrates: 3.6g
• Sugars: 2.9g
• Salt: 0.9g
• Fibre: 1g

Try More Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Recipes:

• Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Char & Chop Salad
• Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Squid Salad
• Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Fattoush Salad
• Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Bulgur Salad