Grilled pizzas are a fantastic way to express your creativity with fresh, seasonal ingredients without heating up the kitchen! Grilled Caprese Pizza boasts fresh ripe tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and basil ribbons topped with a homemade balsamic reduction on a prepared pizza crust. It could not be easier or more delicious!
This post is sponsored as part of Boulder Locavore’s ongoing partnership with Udi’s Gluten-Free, exploring gluten-free recipes, health and wellness.
We have entered the last true month of summer, before Labor Day starts the direct path to fall. School is already in session in many places in the U.S. and my kids will be starting up in the next two weeks. The combination of available fresh summer produce, not wanting to heat up the kitchen or take a long time to whip up a great meal has lead me to start grilling pizzas. Today I’ll be sharing a pizza riff on my favorite summer salad: Grilled Caprese Pizza.
If you scan the internet, you’ll find loads of tantalizing grilled pizza recipes made with fresh dough. I’m sure they are delicious but candidly I’m taking the ease of preparation up a notch and using a prepared pizza crust. They are available from many manufacturer’s in varied thicknesses.
I’m using a ‘thin and crisp’ gluten-free option from longtime partner, Udi’s Gluten-Free, which I keep in my freezer, ready to top and cook quickly. I like a crisp pizza crust to load on fresh toppings so the toppings really are the star of the pizza.
The cool thing about making your own pizza is the topping is completely up to your inspiration and taste. Preparing the pizza on the grill gives a great pizza oven type flavor, as well as allows fresh ingredients to cook quickly, still retaining their natural flavors.
In the spirit of Insalata Caprese this pizza is topped with thick slices of fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese, slices of colorful heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and a drizzle of homemade balsamic vinegar reduction. The pizza is fresh with beautiful flavors.
Enjoying fresh tomatoes from the home garden or Farmer’s Market is a must at this time of year. Their flavor is fantastic and the options available expand past the usual red varieties found in grocery stores year round.
I prefer to grill thin crust pizza via the indirect method, meaning the heat is not directly underneath the pizza. This allows for a quick grill on crust without risk of burning. Once flipped over and topped, the pizza can stay out way of the flame while the buffalo mozzarella relaxes.
While grilling the tomatoes and mozzarella will release liquid. There are a few tips in the recipe to reduce the impact of this. Gluten-free crusts can vary in their ability of absorb moisture. The Udi’s crusts are perfect for this recipe both for their slightly sweet flavor but also that they stay sturdy when grilled and with any moisture coming from the toppings. Traditional gluten crusts should not be impacted by this.
Grilled Caprese Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 9- inch Pizza Crust (I used Udi’s Think and Crusty Pizza Crust)
- 2-4 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 3-4 medium fresh Tomatoes , sliced ½-inch thick or thinner (note: a mix of large and small or medium tomatoes may be substituted); set on paper towels to absorb extra moisture
- 8- ounces Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese , sliced into ¼-inch thick slices
- ¼ cup fresh Basil Leaves , sliced into thin ribbons (refer to photos)
- Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Pour the vinegar into a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Allow the vinegar to boil until it reduces to 1/3 cup (1/4 cup for a thicker reduction); approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Heat the grill to high heat (400 degrees) and set the grill up for indirect grilling (gas: turn on burners next to the location the pizza will be placed on the grill; charcoal: move coals to the sides of the grill leaving a spot with no coals underneath for the pizza). Clean and oil the grill.
- Brush one side of the pizza crust lightly with olive oil and place it facing down on the grill. Close the lid and allow it to cook approximately 2 minutes until grill marks form (the curst can be checked while cooking to ensure it doesn’t overcook). While the crust is cooking, brush the top lightly with olive oil.
- Flip the crust over, and layer the mozzarella slices followed by tomatoes. Close the lid and cook until the mozzarella begins to lose its form (it will not melt like cheddar cheese); 2-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the cheese and heat of the grill. Note: Released moisture can be dabbed up with paper towels if needed.
- Remove pizza from the grill, top with the basil ribbons, drizzle with the balsamic reduction (note: there will be enough for multiple pizzas) and sprinkle with salt if desired. Slice and serve.
Learn more about living gluten free! Visit http://udisglutenfree.com/community
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Udi’s Gluten Free. The opinions and text are all mine.
Monica says
I stalk your website for recipe ideas and this is one of my favorite recipes that you’ve ever shared. It looks delicious and beautiful too!
Toni Dash says
Awe, thank you! Keep on stalking! This pizza is so good. I won’t confess how much I ate or whether I ate most of one of these or not! Thank you for your kind words.
rachel ferrucci says
We make pizza on the grill and love it. Caprese is one of our favorite. Try adding roasted red peppers too- you’ll love it
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This has to be one of the best pizza recipes I’ve ever seen. I love that rustic pizza style to begin with, but the caprese effect is AMAZING!
Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient says
Oh wow that produce looks so so fresh. Perfection on a pizza! I wouldn’t be shy to have one to myself!
Tamara says
This is so much gorgeousness. I love the colors and the photos, and of course, the FOOD! The fresh tomatoes are totally in season right now.
Pam says
This sounds like a pizza. Y daughter would love. She has celiac disease and is always looking for yummy gluten free recipes.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
We love pizza in hour house. Homemade pizza is the best…especially on the BBQ. This looks so delicious…I could eat it right now.
Jennifer B says
Wow this pizza looks absolutely beautiful and so delicious too! I love tomatoes so will be trying this very soon!
Liz says
I love everything Caprese!!! This is one amazing pizza!!!
Lindsey Paris says
I LOVE anything Caprese. It’s one of my favorite “flavors!”
Liz Mays says
Oh man, this is the best summer recipe. I’d love to make these for an at-home date night.
Dawn McAlexander says
Whoa! That looks so awesome! I always love alternative pizzas like this. I would love to try this someday.
Joyce Brewer (@MommyTalkShow) says
I’ve never had pizza on a grill. But I can’t wait for our new grill to arrive so my husband can make us all grilled pizza for dinner!
Ashley @irishred02 says
This looks delicious. I would make this with a gluten free crust 🙂
Toni Dash says
I really love these crusts too Ashley. They have great texture and flavor, and stand up to more moist ingredients (some GF crusts totally fall apart).
Theresa says
Since going vegetarian, I have been struggling to find good recipes for dinner. This one looks like something that my whole family would enjoy. I’ll have to add it to our menu plan!
Toni Dash says
I can total understand. One of my kids leans that way and it is tricky to find things she likes. This really is so delicious I can’t imagine not liking it.
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
I love, love, love all of the tomatoes!
Brandy says
Those pizzas look delicious! Veggie pizza is my favorite kind and I would love to try this!
Maryann says
Oh gosh! This looks so colorful! I can only imagine the flavors from the grilling. Yum!
Kelly Hutchinson says
Yum! That looks so amazing. I will definitely be trying this over the weekend! Looks so good and refreshing.
Nikki Wayne says
Oh, I want to eat that pizza. It is really tempting and looks really delicious.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I’ve never had a capresse pizza, but this look delish! I love grilled pizza!
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
I love a good caprese salad so I can only imagine how yummy a grilled caprese pizza is going to taste. It looks amazing.
Rosey says
Oh boy, this is a nice looking dish to serve up. No doubt at all my whole fam. would love this one.
Megan says
Can you believe that I have never grilled pizza? Crazy right? This looks so yummy, I am going to have to try it. Thanks!
Toni Dash says
I can actually! I don’t think grilling a pizza immediately pops to mind to do if you don’t normally do it. Me included, it was something I actively decided I wanted to try and was hooked! Maybe you’ll find the same Megan!
Ann Bacciaglia says
This dish looks so fresh and delicious. I am excited to get the ingredients and give it a try this weekend.
Kristi says
We grilled pizza for the first time last year… Yum! This recipe looks like a great one to pin!
kristin says
I totally love this! I’m a vegetarian so I’m always looking for fresh new meal ideas. Gotta try this!!
Crystal says
I love all the gorgeous colors of the tomatoes on your pizza. If it tastes half as good as it looks, I’m hooked!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
I love how colorful this is!
Sara | Life's Little Sweets says
This is so gorgeous, sharing this!
Kita Bryant says
Not only do these look lovely but wow, do they look and sound tasty too. So colorful, very impressive for visitors!
christina aliperti says
We are going to barbecue over the weekend at my mom’s house. This looks like the perfect recipe to impress everyone, so pretty and yummy!
Nicole Escat says
Oh, I want to try this. I haven’t tried grilled pizza before, sounds yummy.
Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says
I usually have Caprese salad so I am glad to se this. Having a pizza version couldn’t be more delicious!