Summer salads should be just as beautiful as they are delicious, and this burrata caprese is no exception! A fresh twist on the classic Caprese salad, this dish features juicy heirloom tomatoes, creamy burrata cheese, and fragrant basil, all drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze for the perfect balance of flavors. If you’re hosting a summer gathering or just looking for a light and refreshing dish, this salad is an absolute must-try. Don’t let summer pass by without making this vibrant and flavorful salad—it’s simple, elegant, and irresistibly delicious!
This burrata caprese salad takes the beloved classic Caprese and elevates it with the rich, decadent texture of burrata cheese. Unlike traditional mozzarella, burrata has a creamy, almost buttery center, making every bite even more indulgent and satisfying. The combination of fresh heirloom tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil enhances the natural sweetness and acidity of the ingredients, creating a beautifully balanced dish.
Not only is this Caprese salad with burrata incredibly delicious, but it’s also quick and easy to prepare. Serve it as a course appetizer, pair it with grilled meats, or include it as part of an Italian-inspired salad spread. No matter how you enjoy it, this recipe is guaranteed to impress!
What is Burrata?
This is a type of cheese that is soft and creamy. You’ll find it in the form of plump balls, often stored in a liquid. We usually find it sold in sets of two 4-ounce balls.
The exterior of the cheese is actually a thin pouch made of mozzarella. It hides a reservoir of milky, buttery liquid that spills out once the skin is punctured.
It isn’t always easy to find! Call your local grocery stores ahead of time to make sure they have it in stock.
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Why We Love This Burrata Caprese Salad
- It’s beautiful and colorful! It tastes great, but it sure looks great too. This burrata caprese salad is full of red, green, and white colors! Serve this as a side to any spring dinner recipes.
- No ovens or heavy preparation is required. The last thing we want to do in the summer is slave over the stove!
- It also complements other meals really well. We’ll even pile it on a chicken caprese recipe for an herbaceous, juicy dinner.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Tomatoes: The best tomatoes for caprese are meaty, with plenty of flesh and very few seeds. Heirloom, Plum, Roma, and San Marzano are all good choices.
- Ball of burrata: A unique, creamy cheese. We are using it in place of mozzarella, the usual cheese found in a caprese salad recipe. If you’d prefer to use mozzarella balls in its place, please feel free!
- Basil: Large, fresh, crisp leaves serve as the salad greens. Don’t hesitate to add additional leaves, such as baby spinach or a spring mix.
- Balsamic glaze: This sweet glaze is present in a variety of tomato salad recipes — they’re a natural pair! It’s just a reduction of balsamic vinegar, so it’s easy to make at home.
- Basil vinaigrette: A very light, acidic dressing infused with the sweet and spicy taste of basil. This is an optional ingredient, but it does add a vibrancy to the salad that is more than welcome!
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Use the freshest ingredients possible – Since this dish is simple, high-quality tomatoes, burrata, and extra virgin olive oil make all the difference.
Recipe Variations
- Roasted tomato burrata caprese: Instead of fresh tomatoes, use slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, or grape tomatoes for an extra depth of flavor.
- Pesto caprese
- Citrus caprese: Add slices of blood orange or grapefruit for a zesty twist.
- Balsamic glaze: Drizzle with a balsamic reduction for a touch of sweetness.
- Grilled caprese: Lightly grill the tomatoes for a smoky flavor before assembling the salad.
Equipment Used in this Recipe
- Platter
- Large spoon
- Plastic wrap
How to Make Caprese Salad with Burrata
- Use a serrated knife to prepare the tomatoes.
Rather than using a chef’s knife, a serrated knife is the best tool to cut through moist, juicy tomatoes.
Lay the tomato on its side and cut right through the core instead of trying to slice it from top to bottom — that’s a good way to accidentally cut yourself! Some also prefer to prepare tomato wedges in caprese salad rather than round slices.
- Arrange the tomatoes in a single layer for a prettier presentation.
We love to use Heirloom tomatoes in this salad as they come in a beautiful variety of sizes and colors. It makes the salad look like a work of art!
- Use the back of the spoon to spread out the cheese.
When you’re ready to serve this caprese salad with burrata, use the back of a large spoon to gently press down on the balls and spread them open. This allows the juicy insides to escape to be scooped up with a bite of tomato and basil.
- Wait to add the dressing.
If you’re prepping this dish ahead of time, it’s a good idea to wait to drizzle the dressing on top until right before serving. This ensures it looks beautiful and the balsamic doesn’t spread.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe is a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with many meals. Serve them as appetizers before a classic pasta dish, like penne pasta pomodoro or chicken spaghetti with Rotel. For a heartier meal, enjoy it as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, shell steak recipe, or seafood.
If serving at brunch, complement it with a refreshing glass of white wine, Prosecco, or an Aperol Spritz. No matter how you serve it, this dish brings elegance and freshness to any table.
Serve with bread to enjoy every last drop! There’s a lot of creaminess and juiciness in this dish. If you don’t want to leave any of that good stuff behind, serve it with some French bread to soak it all up!
You could also simply pile everything onto flatbread and bake it for a delicious appetizer.
The heirloom tomatoes and fresh cheese are very moist and juicy. Rather than introduce another wet ingredient, consider crisp radishes, or hot peperoncini peppers.
By the way, if you’re a salad lover, our recipes for cannellini bean salad and broccoli salad with bacon and raisins are another great summer salad!
Recipe FAQs
It’s always, always best served fresh, at room temperature.
If possible, take it out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before serving the salad, so that it’s not too cold. This will give the creamy center a chance to soften.
The center liquid is stracciatella, which is a combination of cream and residual “stretched” mozzarella curds. It’s actually a liquid leftover from making mozzarella!
If you’d like to make your burrata caprese salad ahead of time:
Don’t add the balsamic glaze or basil vinaigrette just yet- cover with plastic wrap or airtight container and refrigerate until just before serving, thenadd the final drizzle.
The fresh cheese becomes runny at warm temperatures, so it’s important to keep it chilled until just shortly before serving. Any leftovers are best enjoyed within two days.
Burrata is a type of fresh mozzarella cheese, but it has a soft, creamy center that makes it richer in flavor and texture.
Always use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and smooth finish.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
To finish your meal off, our plump and sweet strawberry blueberry salad would make a great dessert!
Consider Making These Other Summer Recipes…
If you tried this burrata caprese recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Burrata Caprese
Equipment
- platter
- large spoon
- plastic wrap or bee's wrap
Ingredients
- 6 medium tomatoes cut into slices about 1/2-inch thick. *see Notes
- 8 ounces burrata cheese *see Notes
- 12 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (also known as balsamic vinegar reduction)
- ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt or kosher salt, or more/less to your taste preference
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper or more/less to your taste preference
- 3 tablespoons pesto vinaigrette optional, to drizzle over top of salad
Instructions
- Arrange tomato slices on a platter by fanning them out in layers, leaving some space in the center of the platter. Add burrata balls to the empty spot, then using the back of a large spoon, lightly press down, to spread them slightly. Arrange basil leaves evenly over the tomato slices.
- If you'll be serving the salad right away, drizzle balsamic glaze over the salad, then season with salt and pepper. Optionally, for an additional pop of flavor and color, also drizzle a bit of pesto vinaigrette recipe over the top.
- If making the salad ahead, do not add balsamic glaze or vinaigrette; wait until just before serving. Instead, cover platter tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Recipe FAQs:
- What is the best way to serve burrata cheese?
It’s always, always best served fresh, at room temperature.
If possible, take it out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before serving the salad, so that it’s not too cold. This will give the creamy center a chance to soften. - What’s the stuff inside of burrata? The center liquid is stracciatella, which is a combination of cream and residual “stretched” mozzarella curds. It’s actually a liquid leftover from making mozzarella!
- Can I make this ahead of time?
If you’d like to make your burrata caprese salad ahead of time:
Don’t add the balsamic glaze or basil vinaigrette just yet- cover with plastic wrap or airtight container and refrigerate until just before serving, thenadd the final drizzle.
The fresh cheese becomes runny at warm temperatures, so it’s important to keep it chilled until just shortly before serving. Any leftovers are best enjoyed within two days. - What is the difference between fresh burrata cheese and mozzarella? Burrata is a type of fresh mozzarella cheese, but it has a soft, creamy center that makes it richer in flavor and texture.
- What’s the best type of olive oil for this recipe? Always use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and smooth finish.
- Roasted tomato burrata caprese: Instead of fresh tomatoes, use slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, or grape tomatoes for an extra depth of flavor.
- Pesto caprese
- Citrus caprese: Add slices of blood orange or grapefruit for a zesty twist.
- Balsamic glaze: Drizzle with a balsamic reduction for a touch of sweetness.
- Grilled caprese: Lightly grill the tomatoes for a smoky flavor before assembling the salad.
- Use the freshest ingredients possible – Since this dish is simple, high-quality tomatoes, burrata, and extra virgin olive oil make all the difference.
- To finish your meal off, our plump and sweet strawberry blueberry salad would make a great dessert!
- If you’d like to make your burrata caprese salad ahead of time:Don’t add the balsamic glaze or basil vinaigrette just yet- cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until just before serving, then add the final drizzle.
- The fresh cheese becomes runny at warm temperatures, so it’s important to keep it chilled until just shortly before serving. Any leftovers are best enjoyed within two days.
Nutrition
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