This burrata caprese salad is the ultimate summer salad! It is a fun twist on the classic caprese salad but is made with burrata!
Burrata caprese salad is a tasty and simple dish that's perfect for warm days. It's a twist on the classic Italian caprese salad, but instead of regular mozzarella, it uses burrata cheese.
Burrata is a soft cheese with a creamy center that adds extra richness to the dish. To make this salad, you'll need ripe tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze, and burrata cheese.
The tomatoes are sliced and arranged on a plate with torn basil leaves. Then, the burrata is placed in the middle and gently cut open, letting the creamy inside spill out.
A drizzle of olive oil, some salt, and black pepper finish it off. This salad is not only delicious but also looks beautiful on the plate, making it great for both casual meals and special occasions.
For more salad recipes, check out my Jennifer Aniston salad, zesty Italian pasta salad, and Greek pasta salad.
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Why this recipe works
- Use up fresh tomatoes- this is the best way to use up fresh tomatoes that you may have laying around and turn them into the most delicious and simple salad.
- Burrata cheese- this salad is made with burrata which has a thin outer shell of mozzarella filled with soft, gooey stracciatella and cream. When you cut into it, all that creamy goodness oozes out, making your salad extra decadent.
- Versatile- you can serve this salad as a side dish or an appetizer or as a main dish with added protein like grilled chicken or fish.
- Time- it takes only 10 minutes to prepare this recipe from start to finish which is optimal if you need to make a quick and delicious salad and are short in time.
What is burrata?
Burrata, a luxurious Italian cheese from Puglia, features a fresh mozzarella exterior filled with creamy stracciatella and cream. Its firm outer shell contrasts with a soft, velvety interior.
Served at room temperature, burrata pairs well with tomatoes, olive oil, and bread. Its mild, milky flavor complements various dishes or can be enjoyed alone as an appetizer.
Ingredients
Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Tomatoes- I used beautiful fresh red tomatoes since that is what I had on hand. To make a great burrata salad, choose ripe heirloom or cherry tomatoes.
Heirlooms offer diverse colors and flavors, while cherry tomatoes add sweetness.
Burrata cheese- burrata cheese is available in specialty cheese shops, gourmet food stores, and well-stocked supermarkets' dairy or deli sections.
It can also be purchased online from gourmet food websites or found at local farmers' markets selling artisanal cheeses.
Balsamic vinegar- add your favorite balsamic vinegar for this. I love drizzling the finished salad with a balsamic glaze for a strong and slightly sweet flavor.
Basil- use fresh basil for this recipe! Fresh basil is very important and will give this salad a delicious aroma and flavor.
Olive oil- choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Italian oils from Tuscany or Sicily work well, complementing the creamy burrata and fresh ingredients.
Kosher salt– I used kosher salt in this recipe. You can use sea salt or flakey salt as well.
Black pepper- for flavor. Adjust the black pepper to your personal liking.
Instructions
Wash your tomatoes and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the tomatoes into slices. You can slice them to your desired thickness.
Arrange the tomatoes on a large plate, leaving space in the middle for the burrata cheese. Add basil leaf between every slice of tomato.
Drizzle some olive oil on the tomatoes and sprinkle them with kosher salt and black pepper.
Drain the burrata very well and place it in the middle of the plate. Gently cut the burrata open and season it with kosher salt and black pepper.
Drizzle the top with a balsamic glaze of balsamic vinegar and serve with toasted bread, crostini, or fresh french style bread! Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Choose high-quality burrata. Look for fresh, creamy burrata that's soft to the touch and has a delicate flavor.
- Select ripe tomatoes. Opt for vine-ripened tomatoes that are firm but yield slightly to pressure. Heirloom varieties can add beautiful colors and unique flavors to your salad.
- Use fresh basil leaves. Pick bright green, aromatic basil leaves without any brown spots. Tear them gently by hand just before serving to preserve their flavor and aroma.
- Drizzle with premium extra virgin olive oil. A good quality olive oil can elevate your salad. Choose one with a fruity, peppery flavor that complements the creamy burrata and sweet tomatoes.
- Incorporate a variety of tomato sizes. Mix cherry tomatoes with larger sliced varieties for visual interest and textural contrast. This also allows for a more diverse tomato flavor profile in each bite.
- Serve at room temperature. Allow your burrata and tomatoes to come to room temperature before assembling the salad. This enhances their flavors and ensures the burrata has the perfect creamy consistency.
- Make sure that you drain the excess water that the burrata is stored in.
- Use fresh basil for this recipe! Do not use frozen basil since it will not give you the same aroma and flavor.
- Add some of your favorite greens to the salad like arugula and baby spinach. They go deliciously with this salad!
Faq's
Caprese style is a salad made with sliced tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper, and mozzarella, then drizzled with balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze.
Mozzarella is made with cow milk or water buffalo milk and is made in the process of stretching the crud in hot boiling water until mozzarella forms. Burrata is just that, but it is served as the casing. Inside you will find a creamy and thick filling that is irresistible.
Burrata goes perfectly in so many ways. In salads, pizzas, and pasta. Drizzle the burrata with olive oil and season it with salt and black pepper, and serve it with crostini, toasted bread, marinated tomatoes, etc!
The best way to serve burrata at room temperature to enjoy its rich flavor and texture. Drizzle with quality olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Pair with tomatoes, bread, or prosciutto for a simple appetizer or light meal. Keep it simple to showcase this delicate cheese.
Storing
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The tomatoes will turn soggy and will break as they sit in the marinade for a few days, but you can cook them as a tomato sauce and serve them with some freshly boiled pasta for an easy dinner!
Substitutions
Gluten-free- this recipe is naturally gluten-free, but instead of serving it with regular french bread, serve it with gluten-free bread!
Cheese- if you really want to make this salad but can't find burrata cheese anywhere, you can use fresh mozzarella or fresh mozzarella balls!
Tomatoes- If you don't have regular tomatoes, you can use whatever you can find like heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, etc.
Variations
Avocado- add sliced avocado to the tomatoes for extra creaminess and healthy fat.
Grilled chicken- you can make this a main dish by adding some grilled chicken! I recommend this cast iron chicken breast recipe.
Toasted nuts- add your favorite toasted nuts like pine nuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.
Pesto- you can add your favorite pesto to this recipe. It doesn't have to be basil pesto, it can be spinach pesto, sun-dried tomato pesto, red pepper pesto, parsley pesto, etc.
Spicy- if you like your Caprese a bit spicy, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes!
Serving Tips
Italian bread- serve alongside crusty Italian bread for a perfect appetizer or light meal.
Grilled chicken- pair with grilled chicken for a protein-packed, balanced dinner.
Peach- add sliced fresh peaches for a sweet and tangy summer variation.
Grilled vegetables- combine the salad with grilled zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers for a hearty vegetarian option.
Watermelon- mix with cubed watermelon for a refreshing summer salad.
Pesto drizzle- top with homemade basil pesto for an extra burst of flavor.
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Olive oil
- Balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar
More salad recipes
Easy tomato burrata salad- This fresh tomato burrata salad is made with fresh cherry tomatoes that are marinated in garlic, and balsamic vinegar, and is topped with a ball of burrata cheese that is drizzled with pesto and served with toasted bread.
Chickpea pasta salad- This chickpea pasta salad is made with pasta, cucumber, pepper, tomatoes, chickpeas, and feta cheese. We topped this salad with our favorite greek salad dressing.
Spinach pasta salad- This Spinach Pasta Salad is made with fresh spinach, feta, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and freshly made pasta.
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📖 Recipe
Burrata Caprese Salad (10 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 170 g Burrata one large burrata or two small ones
- 550 g Tomatoes use ripe tomatoes
- 1 cup Basil about 20 leaves
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Balsamic glaze
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash your tomatoes and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the tomatoes into slices. You can slice them to your desired thickness.
- Arrange the tomatoes on a large plate, leaving space in the middle for the burrata cheese. Add basil leaf between every slice of tomato.
- Drizzle some olive oil on the tomatoes and sprinkle them with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Drain the burrata very well and place it in the middle of the plate. Gently cut the burrata open and season it with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Drizzle the top with a balsamic glaze of balsamic vinegar and serve with toasted bread, crostini, or fresh french style bread! Enjoy!
Notes
- Choose high-quality burrata. Look for fresh, creamy burrata that's soft to the touch and has a delicate flavor.
- Select ripe tomatoes. Opt for vine-ripened tomatoes that are firm but yield slightly to pressure. Heirloom varieties can add beautiful colors and unique flavors to your salad.
- Use fresh basil leaves. Pick bright green, aromatic basil leaves without any brown spots. Tear them gently by hand just before serving to preserve their flavor and aroma.
- Drizzle with premium extra virgin olive oil. A good quality olive oil can elevate your salad. Choose one with a fruity, peppery flavor that complements the creamy burrata and sweet tomatoes.
- Incorporate a variety of tomato sizes. Mix cherry tomatoes with larger sliced varieties for visual interest and textural contrast. This also allows for a more diverse tomato flavor profile in each bite.
- Serve at room temperature. Allow your burrata and tomatoes to come to room temperature before assembling the salad. This enhances their flavors and ensures the burrata has the perfect creamy consistency.
- Make sure that you drain the excess water that the burrata is stored in.
- Use fresh basil for this recipe! Do not use frozen basil since it will not give you the same aroma and flavor.
- Add some of your favorite greens to the salad like arugula and baby spinach. They go deliciously with this salad!
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