Burrata Caprese Salad

This summer try this simple twist on the classic caprese using burrata, fragrant basil, and fresh heirloom tomatoes. My burrata caprese recipe is done in less than five minutes and is incredibly easy to make. Serve this salad with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a generous drizzle of olive oil for the perfect appetizer or side dish for eating al fresco all season long.

Running food blogging courses have me running into people from anywhere and everywhere. But the funniest thing is how often we have in so much in common.

I was talking to a student about her content strategy, and she told me that in the summer her audience's biggest struggle is the overwhelming abundance of tomato season. Which made me laugh because it reminds me of summer here in the south. 

We have fried green tomatoes, we have them in sandwiches, even tomato pies...do I eat that? Not really but honey, it's a thing, I promise! They're wildly abundant.

What I do really love is this simple Italian salad. The traditional caprese will have you use fresh mozzarella, but we jazzed it up a bit with a burrata ball in the middle (or two! Its creamy texture absolutely delish.) and my favorite summer tomatoes. 

And this salad doesn't take long at all! Slice the ripe tomatoes up, tear some fresh basil, sprinkle on the flaky salt, drizzle on your most flavorful extra virgin olive oil, and serve with creamy burrata cheese. It's so simple but with all those fresh flavors and gorgeous presentation, this Italian salad will make anyone happy it's summertime.

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Jump to:

• What is Burrata Cheese?
• Origin of Caprese Salad, the Italian Summer Salad
• Equipment
• Key Ingredients
• How to Make Caprese Salad with Burrata
• Variations and Substitutions
• Pairing tips: What wines go with it?
• Tips for Making the Best Fresh Burrata Caprese Salad
• FAQs
• More Summer Tomato Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

What is Burrata Cheese?

Burrata is a soft Italian cheese that's similar to mozzarella but with a soft, creamy center. It originated in the Puglia region of southern Italy, and it's made by shaping a pouch of fresh mozzarella cheese around a creamy filling made of leftover mozzarella curds and cream.

When you cut into a ball of burrata, the outer shell of fresh mozzarella bursts open and releases a rich, buttery interior of "stracciatella," which means "little shreds" in Italian. The creamy filling is a combination of rich cream and cheese curds, and it's so creamy, decadent, and luscious that it elevates any dish it's added to. 

Fresh burrata cheese is typically served at room temperature, and it's delicious on its own or paired with fresh tomato slices and basil leaves in a classic caprese salad, with plenty of olive oil and balsamic glaze. It's also a wonderful addition to salads, pizzas, and pasta dishes.

Origin of Caprese Salad, the Italian Summer Salad

This classic salad can be traced back to the island of Capri, located off the coast of Naples in southern Italy. The dish is said to have been created in the 1950s by a chef who was inspired by the colors of the Italian flag - red, white, and green - and wanted to showcase the flavors of the island's fresh ingredients.

The original caprese salad featured buffalo mozzarella, a type of cheese made from water buffalo milk that graze on the lush green fields of Campania, in southern Italy. Today, caprese salad is typically made from cow's milk mozzarella, which is more widely available than buffalo mozz.

While the original salad was an easy summer dish that featured just a few key ingredients, it has since become a popular dish around the world and has been adapted in many different ways. Some variations include adding a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar or pesto to the dish, swapping in cherry tomatoes, adding in other fresh herbs, or serving it on top of artisan crusty bread or a green salad.

Equipment

Sharp chef's knife - a must for cutting tomatoes. 

Cutting Board.

Key Ingredients

Full ingredients, measurements, and printable instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Burrata Cheese - You'll find this around the cheese section of your local grocery stores in a container full of brine. Usually you'll find 1-3 balls of burrata in them. If you are serving many people, Costco has a container filled with about 10 of them! If you can't find burrata, swap for very fresh mozzarella (it'll also be packed in a brine).
• Large Heirloom Tomatoes - to be considered an 'heirloom' tomato, the variety of heirloom must have existed for more than half a century! They're bred for flavor instead of uniformity, unlike most commercial tomatoes, and each variety has a different flavor. I love learning about these funky, beautiful-ugly tomatoes, they are so unique and a delish addition in any dish.
• Fresh Basil - My basil goes absolutely bananas in the summer, so if you have one yourself I suggest pruning that baby and making this salad with plenty of their leaves. Also, are we sure the heart-shaped herb in Wakanda isn't some sort of basil? Because my genovese basil makes the biggest heart-shaped leaves I've ever seen!
• Olive Oil - you want to use a fruity extra virgin olive oil. If you have been to a specialty shop or an olive orchard where they press their own, that is the perfect thing to use, especially because that flavor doesn't stick around for long. 
• Kosher Salt and Black Pepper

How to Make Caprese Salad with Burrata

Variations and Substitutions

1. Peach Caprese Salad: Swap out the tomatoes for fresh summer peaches, and add sliced fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and a drizzle of warm honey.
2. Caprese Skewers: Thread cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves onto skewers for a fun and easy-to-eat appetizer.
3. Avocado Caprese: Add sliced avocado to your platter for a creamy and delicious twist, and dress with a lemon vinaigrette or balsamic vinegar.
4. Caprese Pasta Salad: Toss cooked pasta with fresh mozzarella, chopped tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette for a satisfying and flavorful pasta salad.

Pairing tips: What wines go with it?

You'll want to choose a wine that complements its delicate flavors without overwhelming them. Here are a few wine pairing suggestions for burrata caprese salad:

1. Pinot Grigio: This light-bodied white wine has crisp acidity and bright citrus flavors that complement the fresh flavors of burrata caprese salad. Look for a Pinot Grigio from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia or Trentino-Alto Adige regions of Italy.
2. Sauvignon Blanc: Another great white wine pairing for burrata caprese salad is Sauvignon Blanc. Its zesty acidity and herbaceous flavors pair well with the basil in the salad. Look for a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley or Marlborough, New Zealand.
3. Rosé: A dry rosé is a versatile pairing for many dishes, and a burrata caprese salad is no exception. Choose a Provence-style rosé with crisp acidity and strawberry and melon flavors.

Tips for Making the Best Fresh Burrata Caprese Salad

• The key to a delicious caprese salad is using ripe, juicy heirloom tomatoes. Look for tomatoes that are vibrant in color, fragrant, and slightly soft to the touch. If you can, choose heirloom tomatoes for their sweet, complex flavor.
• Burrata cheese is the star of the show in this salad, so be sure to choose a high-quality cheese that's fresh and creamy. Look for burrata that's made from fresh mozzarella and cream and avoid any that look dry or have a sour smell.
• Choose bright green basil leaves that are free from brown spots or wilted edges.
• Be sure to season your salad generously.
• Burrata is not something you can prep ahead of time. Keep it in its container in the fridge until about 30 minutes before serving, it's best served closer to room temperature.

FAQs

More Summer Tomato Recipes