Burrata caprese salad is delicious, light and refreshing. This dish is especially enticing during the hot summer months! It's great as an easy lunch, or dinner side dish to share with friends and family. Classic caprese salad only takes a few minutes to make. This burrata cheese version is no different, and even though it takes less than 10 minutes make, it looks quite impressive.
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I love creamy burrata cheese! It can be used in many ways and is somewhat similar to mozzarella cheese. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense in a caprese salad. And if you can't get enough of this tasty cheese, try my amazing Blackberry Burrata Toast!
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What Is A Caprese Salad?
It's an Italian salad traditionally made with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, sweet basil and olive oil.
It likely originated in the island of Capri and is thought to be named after it's place of birth! (source: Wikipedia)
Ingredients & Substitutions
This delicious salad requires only 7 simple ingredients!
- Juicy, ripe tomatoes: I especially love using heirloom tomatoes, though fresh tomatoes of all sorts will work! It's also fun to mix and match varieties. Roma, beefsteak and cherry tomatoes are all yummy.
- Fresh burrata cheese: Many chain grocery stores carry burrata. I've been able to find it at both Sprouts and Kroger and have had more luck at locations featuring a large cheese selection.
- Kosher salt: Or a larger grain, flaky sea salt.
- Black pepper: Fresh ground is preferable if possible!
- Balsamic vinegar glaze: Sweet and tangy.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Just a splash will help to round flavors out nicely.
- Fresh basil leaves: Typically found in the produce section.
How To Make Tomato Burrata Salad
Keep scrolling for the full recipe card and measurements. We’ll start here with a quick overview!
Prepare tomatoes:
- Remove ball of burrata cheese from the refrigerator but leave in brine. We'll let it start coming to room temperature while we prepare tomatoes (this is how it's best served)!
- Rinse tomatoes and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Thinly slice tomatoes and arrange them on a serving platter.
Add burrata:
- Remove burrata cheese from hydrating liquid, pat dry, and place in the center of your tomato spread.
- Cut cheese down the middle to expose the creamy center of the sphere.
Add toppings:
- Sprinkle your salad with flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drizzle with sweet balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil.
- Plate and serve with slices of crusty bread (optional). Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Serve at room temp: Tomatoes are most scrumptious when served at room temperature! In fact, the refrigerator is really no place for your fresh tomatoes, it will alter their taste and texture (source: huffpost).
Keep cheese hydrated: Burrata cheese will generally come in hydrating brine to keep it fresh. For best results, I recommend leaving your cheese in this liquid until you're ready to cut it open. This will ensure max creaminess, once removed, it will begin to dry out.
Use balsamic reduction: A balsamic reduction, or glaze, is different than regular balsamic vinegar. It's thicker and more flavorful!
Party tip: I serve my salad on a pretty platter for parties! Generally, I leave my burrata in a ball, but for guests I'll break it into smaller pieces over the whole salad for easier enjoyment. Also, instead of tomato slices, you can cut wedges.
What To Serve With Burrata Caprese
- Bread: Serve your salad with mini toasts, crostini, a fresh baguette or olive oil bruschettini!
- Italian food: Burrata caprese is a great side dish for any Italian main like this spaghetti squash lasagna or my creamy zucchini alfredo with shrimp.
- Chicken: I really enjoy this salad with simple grilled chicken, marinated in Italian seasonings. It's also really fantastic with my almond crusted chicken or creamy spinach chicken thighs!
- Pasta: You can't go wrong serving caprese salad alongside a pan of garlic butter chicken pasta, or baked feta pasta.
- Grilled cheese: Burrata caprese salad with crispy grilled cheese sandwiches and roasted tomato soup is to die for! It's the perfect combo for tomato season.
Recipe Variations
- Truffle burrata: The other day my local grocery store was out of regular burrata cheese but they did have a truffle burrata in stock. I decided to give it a try and LOVED it. Highly recommend.
- Mozzarella: Make your salad with mozzarella cheese if you can't find burrata. Or, you can use both!
- Avocado: Add slices or cubes of fresh, creamy avocado to your salad.
- Cucumber: Layer some crunchy cucumber slices in with your fresh tomatoes.
- Pesto: In addition to balsamic glaze and olive oil, top ingredients with a little pesto (or pesto vinaigrette).
- Fruit: Sub tomatoes for sweet, ripe peaches and strawberries! Burrata and peaches is a very popular combo.
- Citrus: Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice on top of your caprese salad for extra fresh flavor.
How To Store
Typically, I like to make and eat my burrata salad in one sitting. It tastes best when served nice and fresh! However, you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for a day or two. Just know the burrata will lose some creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions
The phonetic spelling for caprese is: kuh·pray·zay. You can watch this short YouTube video to hear the word spoken aloud!
Burrata is a mild, soft Italian cheese. It tastes similar to fresh mozzarella cheese, but it's creamy on the inside! (source: castellocheese)
Burrata cheese is made by putting fresh cheese curds into hot, salty water and then kneading them. A pouch is then created with this kneaded cheese and it's filled with mozzarella "scraps" and cream to create a sphere or ball of cheese that's stretchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. (source: wikipedia)
Many local grocery stores carry burrata cheese! I've been able to purchase it at both Sprouts and Kroger. I've definitely had more luck at locations that feature a large cheese selection and highly recommend making a quick phone call to see if it's in stock before heading over.
Burrata cheese is really versatile! Use it in caprese salad, or spread on a piece of crusty bread/toast with jam and honey. Burrata can also be used to create a delicious, cheesy sauce for pasta.
Yes! The outer shell on burrata cheese tastes almost exactly like mozzarella and it's delicious.
The main difference is the creamy interior of each burrata cheese ball. The exterior, or casing, tastes almost identical to mozzarella.
More Light, Summer Sides:
- Greek Yogurt Egg Salad
- Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
- Simple Garden Salad Recipe
- Pasta Salad With Asparagus | Gluten Free!
- Fruit Salad With Whipped Cream
- Watermelon Mint Feta Salad
- Ditalini Pasta Salad
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Burrata Caprese Salad (So Good)!
Equipment
- Serving platter
Ingredients
- 3-4 heirloom tomatoes *varying colors/sizes *see note below
- 4 ounces fresh burrata cheese *see note below
- ¼ teaspoon salt *kosher or sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves
Recipe notes:
Tomatoes: I like to use heirloom tomatoes. Different sizes and colors add interest to this salad! You can use whichever variety of tomato you prefer. Burrata: this type of cheese generally comes in a package of two, 4 oz balls (sometimes you can find mini spheres)! I've been able to find burrata cheese at Kroger and Sprouts. It is a little less common, so I would call ahead to make sure your local grocery store has it in stock.Instructions
- Remove burrata cheese from the refrigerator but leave in brine. We'll let it start coming to room temperature while we prepare tomatoes (this is how it's best served)!
- Rinse tomatoes and dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Thinly slice tomatoes and arrange them on a serving platter.
- Remove burrata from brine and pat dry with a paper towel. Place it in the center of your tomato spread.
- Cut cheese down the middle to expose creamy center.
- Sprinkle your salad with flaky salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Anna says
I love how you used different colors of tomatoes for this salad. I also love how you arranged it. Beautiful. Thank you for another great recipe.