This Burrata Caprese features a beautiful blend of juicy tomatoes and creamy burrata, finished with a drizzle of homemade balsamic glaze. It's great served as an appetizer a refreshing summer side salad.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Burrata Caprese Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for this Burrata Caprese Salad Recipe
• 🔪 How to Make the Best Caprese Salad with Burrata
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Burrata Caprese
• Do You Eat the Rind of Burrata?
• What if I Can't Find Burrata?
• 🍽️ More Italian Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Burrata Caprese Recipe

• Fresh, juicy, colorful mix of tomatoes 
• Soft and creamy burrata cheese
• Simply seasoned with flaked sea salt and ground pepper
• Topped off with a drizzle of balsamic reduction
• Beautiful presentation, perfect for last minute guests

The simple charm of this Caprese salad seems to capture everything people love most about Italian cuisine. It’s one of those gorgeous dishes that you enjoy with your eyes, before you even take the first delicious bite.  

A layer of vibrant vine-ripe tomatoes, dotted with colorful heirloom cherry tomatoes, is the base for this dish. Pieces of velvety burrata cheese are placed on top with fresh basil accents.

For the dressing, it’s drizzled with balsamic reduction, extra-virgin olive oil, a flaked sea salt, and ground black pepper. Made with just a handful of fresh and colorful ingredients, you’ll create a delicious, edible work of art that tastes incredible!

If you love the flavors of this Italian salad, you should also try this amazing Easy Italian Pasta Salad or this colorful Antipasto Salad.

🛒 Ingredients for this Burrata Caprese Salad Recipe

• Burrata cheese
• Vine ripe or heirloom tomatoes
• Cherry tomatoes, multi-colored
• Balsamic reduction
• Olive oil
• Flaked sea salt
• Ground black pepper
• Fresh basil

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Sharp knife
• Platter

🔪 How to Make the Best Caprese Salad with Burrata

Slice the vine ripe tomatoes into fairly thin slices.

Place them in a circular pattern on an oval or round platter.

Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and place them all around the platter, on top of the tomato slices.

Take each piece of burrata (I had 2 large pieces) and cut them in half, then again into quarters.  Use a serrated knife and gently slice through each one, making sure to keep the filling in tact.

Place each of the 8 pieces around the platter, along with the fresh basil leaves.

Add the flaked sea salt, ground black pepper and the olive oil over the tops.

Right before serving, drizzle the balsamic reduction on top and serve.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Avocado: Add slices of ripe avocado to add extra creamy texture to this caprese salad recipe.

• Arugula: Start with a bed of peppery arugula leaves before adding the tomato layer. It adds a slightly bitter flavor that works great with the sweet tomatoes and the tangy balsamic reduction.

• Pesto drizzle: Drizzle a spoonful of this Pesto over the salad for a hint of nuttiness.

• Prosciutto: For even more flavor in this caprese burrata salad, place thin slices of prosciutto between the tomato and mozzarella layers

• Nectarines or peaches: Swap out half of the tomatoes for slices of ripe nectarines or peaches. It gives the salad a sweet and tangy balance of flavor.

• Fresh figs: If you can find them in season, top the burrata Caprese salad with quartered fresh figs. The combination of textures, colors, and flavors is amazing.

• Citrus zest: Grate a bit of citrus zest (lemon, orange, or lime) over the salad for a bright burst of fresh flavor.
• Oregano Oil: Try making your own oregano oil and drizzling it over the top for added flavor.

☑️ Storage Instructions

This Caprese salad is best enjoyed within a short time after it's assembled. This is when its flavors and textures are at their best. However, if you have leftovers or need to prepare it ahead of time, here are a few tips:

Room temperature:  If you've just made the Caprese salad and plan to serve it within a few hours, you can leave it at room temperature. Just keep it away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent the cheese from becoming too soft.

Fridge: If you need to store the Caprese salad for a longer period, you can cover it loosely with some plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to overnight. Keep in mind, that the longer it sits, the more the texture of the tomatoes and the mozzarella changes.

Wait on the dressing and the Salt: For best results wait to dress the salad right before serving it. Olive oil will firm up on the top of the salad when it’s in the fridge. Plus, the longer it sits. the rich colors of the balsamic will stain the white burrata. Also, since salt draws out the natural juices in the tomatoes, it's best to wait on adding it until right before serving so your leftover tomatoes don't become soggy.

🍴 What to Serve with Burrata Caprese

This burrata Caprese is a delicious dish on its own, but if you're looking for a hearty main course dish to serve with it, here are some options:

• Grilled Chicken Bruschetta
• Walnut and Pumpkin Seed Crusted Salmon
• Grilled Steak Chimichurri
• Lime Cilantro Shrimp Skewers
• Mediterranean Mahi Mahi
• Quinoa Lentil Burgers

Do You Eat the Rind of Burrata?

Sure! While the rind of Burrata is perfectly edible, its texture may be slightly tougher compared to the creamy center. Some people choose to eat the rind along with the creamy interior, while others prefer to scoop out the creamy part and leave the rind behind. Personally, I love the contrast in texture so I always eat both together.

Fresh Mozzarella vs Burrata

Burrata and mozzarella are both Italian cheeses, there are a few differences between the two, mainly in terms of texture, flavor, and usage.

• Texture: Mozzarella cheese has a smooth and stretchy texture. Burrata consists of a pouch or shell of mozzarella that encases a creamy filling made of tender mozzarella scraps and cream.

• Flavor: Mozzarella has a mild, milky flavor with a slight tanginess. Burrata has a rich, buttery flavor due to the addition of cream in its filling.

• Usage: Mozzarella is used in many dishes that require melting, such as pizzas, lasagnas, and paninis. It's also used in salads, sandwiches, and as a topping for various appetizers. Burrata is often enjoyed fresh and uncooked, either on its own or as part of a salad.

What if I Can't Find Burrata?

While burrata is the star of this recipe, you can use other fresh cheeses like mozzarella or even feta as a substitute. However, if you can find it, the creamy texture of burrata is what sets this version apart.

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