We’re in the thick of summer tomato season, which means it’s definitely time to try my simple 6-Ingredient Burrata Caprese recipe! Give the traditional combo of tomato, basil, and cheese an instant, gourmet upgrade by making your caprese salad with burrata, fresh mozzarella’s creamier, dreamier cousin.
The tail-end of summer always yields a ginormous bounty of fresh tomatoes, which is good news for me. From my juicy panzanella and roasted tomato tartine to my cherry tomato cottage cheese toast and turkey avocado sandwiches, nearly all my favorite savory recipes benefit from a few slices of summer’s favorite fruit-meets-veggie.
If you are similarly enthralled with the sweet, juicy acidity of bright tomatoes, you definitely need to try this burrata caprese salad. It has all the hallmarks of the original — sweet summer tomatoes, fresh basil, syrupy balsamic vinegar, and mild, milky cheese. The only difference is that it gets an added boost of richness from a ball of cream-filled cheesy deliciousness known as burrata.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Burrata Caprese Recipe
Elevate the classic caprese salad with creamy burrata cheese, pairing juicy heirloom tomatoes with the soft Italian cheese's creamy center. Then add fragrant basil, all drizzled with good olive oil and a touch of sweet balsamic glaze, presenting the ultimate summer salad - a dream!
As any tomato lover knows, the season is far too short. I feel like I have to wait all summer for the first heirlooms to grace my table, and then mere weeks later, the bounty is all gone. Whether I'm making cherry tomato toast or roasted tomatoes - once summer is over, cherry tomatoes and canned tomatoes will have to suffice until next year.
All that’s to say, you better get while the gettin’s good! Make sure you make this delectable Italian recipe before it’s too late. Aside from being the edible representation of a midsummer night’s dream, this caprese salad burrata upgrade is also:
- Quick & Easy - Slice, scatter, drizzle, and serve. You’ll have this burrata caprese salad on the table in just 10 minutes!
- Made With Only 6 Ingredients - A few pantry staples plus ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and burrata cheese are all you need!
- Versatile - Serve this caprese burrata salad recipe as a side for all your favorite BBQ dishes, or let it shine as a stand-alone light lunch. You can also load it onto toast points for a lovely bruschetta appetizer, burrata toast, or bulk it up with some protein for a tasty low-carb dinner. No matter how you serve it, this is a summer salad you’ll want to play on repeat as long as possible.
🍴Ingredients
Good tomatoes require little more than salt to shine, which is why this recipe for tomato caprese with fresh burrata has such a short grocery list. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Heirloom Tomatoes - Feel free to use any variety that calls to you. Choosing a favorite tomato is like choosing a favorite kid — they all have their own virtues! Plus, different varieties of heirlooms will thrive in different climates, so not everyone will have the same options. My favorites are probably brandywines, beefsteaks, and black krims, but Cherokee purples, Mr. Stripeys, and green zebras are also lovely!
- Basil - Opt for large leaves of Italian basil for the best results.
- Burrata - The star of the show! Burrata can be found in the specialty cheese section of most stores, sold in tubs of water like regular fresh mozzarella.
- Olive Oil - If you have it, now’s the time to use your fancy finishing oil.
- Balsamic Glaze - Feel free to purchase it from the store, or make your own by reducing balsamic vinegar with a few spoonfuls of sugar to help it thicken and become syrupy.
- Salt & Pepper - Because basic seasoning is always in season. 😉
❓Burrata vs. Mozzarella
In a nutshell, fresh mozzarella is a lovely, straightforward cheese with a subtle taste, while burrata is its luscious cousin, boasting a creamy surprise in the center. (Picture a pouch of fresh mozzarella filled with a mixture of cream and stracciatella, a.k.a. tiny shreds of mozzarella.
It's decadent and oh-so-delicious!) Both are fabulous choices, but burrata is perfect for those times when you want to treat yourself to an extra-special cheese experience! 😊🧀
⏲️ Substitutions & Variations
- Pesto Caprese - Feel free to add dollops of fresh pesto or use it in place of basil if needed.
- Caprese Crostini - Load your seasoned heirlooms, torn cheese, and fresh basil onto buttery toast points for light n’ lovely summer hors d’oeuvres.
- Peach Caprese - Swap peaches for tomatoes (or simply add them to the mix) for a fresh take on the summery favorite.
- A simple twist on the traditional insalata caprese involves swapping fresh mozzarella cheese for delicious burrata. Then, source fresh heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil leaves from your local grocery store or farmer’s market. With just these key ingredients, you'll bring an Italian salad to the next level on your dinner table.
- For the perfect side dish or main dish in late summer, layer tomato slices with a ball of burrata on top, season with flaky sea salt and black pepper, and finish with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil!
📖 Step-by-Step Instructions
Making caprese with burrata is just as simple as the original recipe. Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1: Prep Tomatoes. Slice your washed tomatoes into bite-size wedges and arrange on a serving platter. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
Step 2: Scatter small pieces of basil and bite-size pieces of burrata onto the tomatoes.
Step 3: Dress & Serve. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze over the Caprese salad, season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Choose different sizes and colors of tomatoes for added visual interest on the plate. Halved cherry tomatoes next to a rainbow assortment of yellow, green, orange, red, and purple tomatoes? It’s a dang feast for the eyes!
- Tear, don’t chop, your basil. Chopping releases an enzyme that causes the leaves to oxidize and turn black more quickly, whereas tearing protects the color.
- Use a serrated knife to cut your tomatoes. The tiny teeth are much better at cutting through the thin tomato skin, leaving you with prettier cuts.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes and HECK YES! Burrata is essentially a cream-stuffed version of fresh mozzarella, so it can be used in nearly any recipe that calls for regular fresh mozzarella. It adds an extra layer of decadence to everything it touches, turning a basic caprese into a lick-the-plate-it’s-so-good kinda recipe.
Describing the taste of burrata is like attempting to capture a taste of heaven! Burrata has a mild and milky flavor similar to fresh mozzarella, but what sets it apart is the cream-filled center.
Some cheese enthusiasts liken the taste of burrata to a mixture of fresh milk and butter, making it a dairy-lovers delight. It's simply perfect paired with ripe tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with a bit of salt and pepper, like in this caprese salad recipe.
Any burrata caprese that doesn’t get scarfed down immediately can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before serving so the full flavor of tomatoes can tantalize your tastebuds.
More Savory Recipes You’ll Love
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Burrata Caprese
Equipment
- Serving Platter
Ingredients
- 4 Heirloom Tomatoes
- 10 Basil leaves
- 1 Ball of Burrata
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Glaze
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Slice your washed tomatoes into bite-size wedges and arrange on a serving platter. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.4 Heirloom Tomatoes
- Scatter small pieces of basil and bite-size pieces cut or torn burrata onto the tomatoes.10 Basil leaves, 1 Ball of Burrata
- Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze over the Caprese salad, season with salt and pepper and serve!1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Glaze, Salt & Pepper
Notes
- Choose different sizes and colors of tomatoes for added visual interest on the plate. Halved cherry tomatoes next to a rainbow assortment of yellow, green, orange, red, and purple tomatoes? It’s a dang feast for the eyes!
- Tear, don’t chop, your basil. Chopping releases an enzyme that causes the leaves to oxidize and turn black more quickly, whereas tearing protects the color.
- Use a serrated knife to cut your tomatoes. The tiny teeth are much better at cutting through the thin tomato skin, leaving you with prettier cuts.
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