Italian Caprese is a constant reminder that simple is delicious! This 5-ingredient burrata Caprese salad combines ripe tomatoes, basil leaves, and creamy burrata cheese for a fresh-tasting flavor. The salad is ready in minutes for a dish you can serve as an appetizer, light lunch, or a tasty side dish.
Key Ingredients
If you have a garden anything like ours, you have a ton of fresh summer tomatoes and basil around the same time; this recipe is the best way to use them both! Here’s what you need to get started.
- Tomatoes: Use a combination of fresh tomatoes to make Caprese salad— sliced heirloom tomatoes, juicy cherry tomatoes, or grape tomatoes are great choices, but the best tomatoes are in-season tomatoes.
- Basil: Fresh basil leaves are an integral part of Caprese. Look for smaller leaves because they have a more intense flavor. You can leave the basil leaves whole, break them up slightly, or chiffinade the leaves.
- Burrata: Complete the burrata Caprese with gooey burrata cheese.
- Olive Oil: Drizzle the extra-virgin olive oil over the salad.
- Spices: Finish the dish with flaky sea salt or coarse kosher salt.
Additions and Substitutions
- Switch up the cheese. Swap out burrata for mozzarella, ricotta, or cottage cheese, depending on what you have.
- Get creative with toppings. Elevate the burrata Caprese with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, honey, or pistachio pesto. Add a spoonful of olive tapenade, capers, or slices of salty prosciutto.
- Incorporate fresh mix-ins. Toss in slices of red onion, peppery arugula, fresh strawberries, mango, or peaches to put a unique twist on the classic antipasto.
How to Make Burrata Caprese
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Arrange the tomatoes on a large plate or small platter, then scatter the basil leaves.
Preparation Tip
I sliced the heirloom tomatoes for the picture, but they are easier to eat if you cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Break the burrata cheese over the top and garnish with olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper.
How to Serve the Burrata Cheese
Slice the ball of burrata cheese into sections using a sharp knife, or hold it in your hands and break it open over the salad.
Expert Tips
- Prioritize fresh ingredients. Use the freshest tomatoes and basil leaves for the best results, and look for high-quality burrata cheese stored in water.
- Use room-temperature cheese. Remove the burrata cheese from the refrigerator, allowing it to reach room temperature before serving for the creamiest texture.
If you enjoy burrata Caprese, try more appetizer recipes!
Serving Suggestions
- Arrange cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, soppressata, cheeses, and olives on a charcuterie board to pair with the salad.
- Hearty meat dishes like chicken thighs with salmoriglio sauce or baked flounder with pistachio pesto are perfect if you want more than just Caprese. And burrata Caprese is an excellent starter before you dig into a bowl of butternut squash soup, risotto allo zafferano, or creamy pasta.
- It also pairs perfectly with crusty bread, grilled zucchini, and eggplant.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store the leftovers in an airtight container for two days. Any more than that, and the Caprese will lose its freshness and texture.
- Repurpose: Stir the leftovers into pasta or use it to top a fresh bed of greens, scrambled eggs, or an omelet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is burrata?
Burrata is a creamy Italian cheese comprised of mozzarella and fresh cream. The outer shell is mozzarella, but when you cut into it, you’ll find a soft, creamy center called stracciatella that oozes out deliciously onto the Caprese.
What does burrata cheese taste like?
Burrata cheese has a mild, creamy, and decadent flavor.
Where can I buy burrata?
You can find burrata cheese in the deli section of most grocery stores. Look for balls of burrata stored in water with 2-4 balls inside.
What kind of tomatoes are best for burrata Caprese?
The tomatoes should be ripe but firm. If they are too soft, the tomatoes are difficult to slice. I prefer using heirloom, vine-ripe, and cherry tomatoes, but like I said, the best tomatoes are fresh, juicy tomatoes.
More Tomato Recipes:
Burrata Caprese
- Platter
- 2-3 medium heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half or quartered
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- 1-2 balls burrata cheese, quartered
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- kosher salt, to taste
- Arrange the tomatoes on a large plate or small platter. Then, scatter the basil leaves over the top. Tip: I sliced the heirloom tomatoes for the picture, but they are easier to eat if you cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
- Break the burrata cheese over the top and garnish with olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Prioritize fresh ingredients. Use the freshest tomatoes and basil leaves for the best results, and look for high-quality burrata cheese stored in water.
- Use room-temperature cheese. Remove the burrata cheese from the refrigerator, allowing it to reach room temperature before serving for the creamiest texture.