Italian Caprese is a constant reminder that simple is delicious! This 5-ingredient burrata Caprese salad combines the fresh flavor of ripe tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and creamy burrata cheese. Eat it as an appetizer, light lunch, or a tasty side dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The fresh and flavorful appetizer only takes a few minutes to make!
- Burrata caprese is an excellent appetizer or side dish that requires a few simple ingredients.
- This simple recipe is so easy to make that anyone can do it!
- If your garden is anything like ours, you will have a ton of fresh summer tomatoes and basil around the same time, and this recipe is the best way to use them both.
What You Need to Make this Recipe
- Tomatoes: I love using a fresh combination of tomatoes to make classic Caprese salad. Cut heirloom tomatoes in bit-sized quarters and juicy cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes in half for a perfect bite. However, the best tomatoes to use are those in season, so make it with what you have.
- Basil: Fresh basil leaves are an integral part of Caprese. Choose the smaller leaves because they have a more intense flavor. Leave the basil leaves whole, no chopping or cutting, for authenticity.
- Burrata: Fresh burrata cheese completes the dish with its gooey and rich center. If you can’t find burrata at the grocery store, make this recipe with fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Olive Oil: Select high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the perfect finish.
- Spices: All you need to season burrata Caprese is flaky sea salt or kosher salt.
Additions and Substitutions
- Use fresh buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, or cottage cheese instead of burrata. You can omit the cheese or use vegan burrata found in healthy and specialty grocery stores for a vegan variation.
- Top the Caprese with tapenade, a spread made from ingredients like olives, capers, olive oil, herbs, and spices for additional flavor or salty prosciutto.
- Finish the salad with sweet balsamic glaze, pesto, or a drizzle of honey if you prefer a sweeter antipasto.
- Include red onions or fresh fruit like strawberries, mangos, or peaches in the Caprese for a simple twist.
- Add greens like arugula for a peppery bite.
- Prepare the salad by sautéing the tomatoes with generous amounts of fresh garlic slices and olive oil before using it as the base for this delicious appetizer.
How to Make Burrata Caprese
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Arrange the heirloom tomato wedges on a large plate or small platter. Top them with the cherry tomatoes.
Tip: I cut the heirloom tomatoes in slices for the picture, but they are easier to eat if you cut them into wedges.
Step 2: Scatter basil leaves over the top.
Step 3: Cut the ball of burrata and place the small pieces around the tomatoes and basil to reveal their creamy insides.
Step 4: Drizzle generously with olive oil and season to taste with salt.
How To Slice Burrata
Slice the ball of burrata cheese into sections using a sharp knife, or hold it in your hands and break it open with your thumbs. Either way, it can be a bit messy. But, oh, so delicious!
Expert Tips
- Prioritize using fresh tomatoes, small basil leaves, and quality burrata cheese for the best results.
- Fragrant basil is a necessary ingredient for Caprese, so keep the leaves whole or tear them slightly if the leaves are extra large for maximum flavor. They will look beautiful and taste and smell delicious.
- Remove the burrata from the fridge 30 minutes before serving the appetizer to let it come to room temperature.
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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, or creamy pasta.
- It also pairs perfectly with crusty bread, grilled zucchini, and eggplant.
What to do With the 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 the soft italian cheese in the specialty cheese section of the local grocery store.
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 heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half or quartered
- ¼ cup fresh basil
- 1-2 balls burrata cheese, quartered
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt, to taste
- Arrange the heirloom tomato wedges on a large plate or small platter. Top them with the cherry tomatoes.
- Scatter basil leaves over the top.
- Cut the ball of burrata and place the small pieces around the tomatoes and basil to reveal their creamy insides.
- Drizzle generously with olive oil and season to taste with salt.
- Prioritize using fresh tomatoes, small basil leaves, and quality burrata cheese for the best results.
- Fragrant basil is a necessary ingredient for Caprese, so keep the leaves whole or tear them slightly if the leaves are extra large for maximum flavor. They will look beautiful and taste and smell delicious.
- Remove the burrata from the fridge 30 minutes before serving the appetizer to let it come to room temperature.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.