This recipe offers a delightful twist on the beloved classic Caprese salad, transforming it with the sheer magic of burrata. For many, myself included, this burrata iteration quickly becomes the preferred choice. But what exactly is burrata? If you haven’t had the pleasure of tasting it, you’re in for a treat! Burrata is an Italian cow’s milk cheese, exquisitely crafted from fresh mozzarella and cream. Its unique composition gives it a firm, mozzarella-like outer shell that encases a rich, creamy, and wonderfully soft center, often filled with stracciatella cheese and fresh cream. This luxurious interior provides an unparalleled textural experience, making every bite a creamy, indulgent delight that is truly addictive.

This salad truly shines as the quintessential summer dish. The secret to its vibrant flavor lies in embracing tomato season, when ripe, locally sourced tomatoes are at their absolute peak. When you start with fresh, flavorful summer tomatoes, you elevate this simple dish from good to extraordinary. The natural sweetness and acidity of peak-season tomatoes, combined with the creamy burrata and fragrant basil, create a harmonious symphony of flavors that perfectly captures the essence of summer. It’s a dish that celebrates simplicity and the quality of its individual components, proving that you don’t need complex preparations to create something truly spectacular.

Why You’ll Adore This Burrata Caprese Salad!

Prepare to fall in love with this Burrata Caprese salad for a multitude of reasons. It’s a dish that embodies effortless elegance and incredible taste, making it a perfect addition to any summer gathering or a simple, satisfying meal for yourself.

• This burrata Caprese salad relies on just 6 simple and fresh ingredients, proving unequivocally that sometimes, less truly is more. The beauty of this dish lies in the quality of its components, allowing each flavor to shine without being overshadowed. When you start with excellent tomatoes, creamy burrata, and aromatic basil, you hardly need anything else to create a masterpiece.
• You don’t need any fancy equipment to whip up this exquisite salad. All you require is a sharp knife and a chopping board, making it incredibly accessible for any home cook, regardless of kitchen gadgetry. Its simplicity in preparation is one of its most appealing features.
• It’s the perfect appetizer designed to impress four people, or it can easily be scaled up to serve a larger crowd. For a more substantial meal, transform it into a delightful main course for two by serving it alongside some crusty artisanal bread, a hearty grain like farro, or tender grilled chicken. The versatility of this salad means it fits perfectly into various dining occasions.
• The best part? It takes less than 10 minutes to prep the entire Caprese salad! This speedy preparation time makes it an ideal solution for last-minute entertaining or for those evenings when you crave a gourmet-quality meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Fresh, fast, and fabulous – what more could you ask for?

Essential Ingredients for Your Burrata Caprese

Creating an outstanding Burrata Caprese salad starts with selecting the finest ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in the final flavor profile and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to assemble this fresh and vibrant dish:

• Fresh Tomatoes: The foundation of any great Caprese salad is excellent tomatoes. I highly recommend using a mixture of varieties for visual appeal and a more complex flavor profile. This recipe truly shines when made during peak tomato season, ensuring you’re using ripe, juicy tomatoes that are bursting with natural sweetness and acidity. You can opt for vibrant heirloom tomatoes for a gourmet touch, sweet cherry tomatoes for pops of flavor, firm Roma tomatoes for easy slicing, or even beefsteak tomatoes. Whatever type you choose, prioritize freshness and ripeness for the best results.
• Burrata: This is the star of our show and what differentiates this salad from a traditional Caprese. Burrata is a soft Italian cheese, renowned for its luxurious texture. It features a thicker outer shell made from fresh mozzarella, which, when pierced, reveals a rich, creamy interior filled with stracciatella (shredded mozzarella curds) and fresh cream. This creamy core provides a beautiful contrast to the firm tomatoes and offers an unparalleled melt-in-your-mouth experience that regular mozzarella simply can’t replicate. Look for it in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store.
• Basil: Fresh basil is non-negotiable for an authentic Caprese experience. This fragrant herb offers a sweet, peppery, and slightly anise-like aroma and flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the tomatoes and the richness of the burrata. Always use fresh basil leaves; dried basil will not yield the same vibrant taste or visual appeal.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Since this salad has so few ingredients, the quality of each component is paramount. A good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential here, not just for dressing but for its own nuanced flavor. I often keep a large, standard bottle of olive oil for everyday cooking, but invest in a “fancier” or higher-grade extra virgin olive oil specifically for finishing salads like this one. A superior olive oil will impart a fruity, sometimes peppery, and grassy note that truly elevates the dish.
• Black Pepper: For the most impactful flavor, always opt for freshly cracked black pepper. Pre-ground pepper often loses its potency and aromatic compounds quickly. The sharp, slightly spicy kick of freshly cracked black pepper adds a wonderful depth and counterpoint to the creamy cheese and sweet tomatoes. My personal favorites are Tellicherry peppercorns for their robust and complex flavor.
• Sea Salt: A flaky sea salt is preferred for this recipe, such as Maldon or Fleur de Sel. Unlike fine table salt, flaky sea salt provides pockets of intense, briny flavor and a delightful textural crunch that enhances each bite. Sprinkle it generously over the tomatoes and burrata just before serving to maximize its impact.

Creative Variations & Easy Substitutions

While the classic Burrata Caprese is perfect in its simplicity, there are many ways to customize this fresh summer salad to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own!

• Can’t find burrata at your local grocery store? Don’t let that stop you! You can easily substitute it with regular fresh mozzarella (either a log or small mozzarella balls, often called “bocconcini” or “ciliegine”). While it won’t have the same creamy interior, fresh mozzarella still offers a mild, milky flavor and a soft texture that works wonderfully in a Caprese salad.
• For a surprisingly delightful and fresh twist, add fresh peach slices to this salad. The sweet, juicy peaches pair incredibly well with the ripe tomatoes, creamy burrata, and peppery basil, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that’s perfect for summer. Ensure your peaches are ripe but still slightly firm.
• Instead of a simple olive oil drizzle, drizzle over homemade pesto for an extra layer of herbaceous, garlicky flavor. You can make a classic basil pesto or experiment with other herbs like mint or arugula for a unique touch. Store-bought pesto can also be used for convenience, but fresh is always best!
• While Caprese salad doesn’t traditionally use balsamic vinegar in its purist form, you’ll often find restaurants adding a balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar. Feel free to incorporate this if you enjoy its sweet and tangy depth. A balsamic glaze, which is a reduction of balsamic vinegar, provides a beautiful visual and a concentrated flavor without making the salad too acidic.
• If you want to make this fresh summer salad more appealing for the meat-eater in your life, consider adding some delicate slices of prosciutto. The salty, savory cured ham offers a fantastic contrast to the sweet tomatoes and creamy cheese, turning the salad into a more robust and satisfying dish.
• To transform this appetizer into a more substantial main course, serve it with garlic bread or pieces of crusty bread. The bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious juices from the tomatoes and olive oil, and the added carbohydrates will make it a more filling meal. A toasted baguette or ciabatta works wonderfully.

Effortless Step-by-Step Assembly

Crafting this elegant Burrata Caprese salad is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps to bring together a vibrant and delicious dish that’s sure to impress with minimal effort.

Step 1: Prepare the Tomatoes. Begin by thinly slicing your fresh tomatoes. A bread knife, with its serrated edge, can be surprisingly effective for achieving clean, thin slices without crushing the delicate tomato flesh. If you’re using smaller grape or cherry tomatoes, simply cut them in half. Arrange the tomato slices artfully on your chosen serving platter or individual plates, ensuring there’s a slight overlap. Once arranged, lightly sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt evenly over the tomatoes. This not only seasons them but also helps to draw out their natural juices, intensifying their flavor.

Step 2: Add Basil and Burrata. Scatter fresh basil leaves generously over and between the sliced tomatoes. Their vibrant green color and fragrant aroma are key to the Caprese experience. Next, gently place the ball (or balls) of burrata directly on top of the tomatoes and basil. The pristine white of the burrata will create a striking visual contrast. Finish by drizzling a generous amount of your good quality extra virgin olive oil over the entire salad. Finally, grind a liberal amount of fresh black pepper and a final sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the burrata and tomatoes. Your stunning Burrata Caprese salad is now ready to be enjoyed immediately!

Expert Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Burrata Caprese

Achieving a truly outstanding Burrata Caprese salad goes beyond just assembling ingredients. These expert tips and tricks will help you elevate your salad from good to unforgettable, ensuring every bite is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

• Prioritize High-Quality Olive Oil: This is arguably the most crucial tip. Since olive oil is one of the dominant flavors, using a superior quality extra virgin olive oil can make all the difference. Not sure how to spot one? This insightful blog post by Samin Nosrat has been incredibly helpful for me and many others. Look for bottles that feature a harvest date (olive oil is typically best within about a year once pressed!), are made of dark glass to protect against light degradation, and clearly state a specific name and location of origin. These indicators often point to a producer who cares about quality and freshness. A good olive oil will taste fruity, sometimes grassy, and might have a slight peppery finish.
• Master Tomato Slicing with a Bread Knife: While it might seem unconventional, using a bread knife (a serrated knife) instead of a traditional chef’s knife will make slicing ripe tomatoes thinly and cleanly so much easier. The serrated edge grips the tomato skin without tearing or squishing the delicate flesh, resulting in beautifully intact slices. This is particularly useful for very ripe or heirloom tomatoes that can be a challenge to slice smoothly with a straight edge.
• Serve Immediately – Avoid Making Ahead: This Burrata Caprese salad is truly best enjoyed fresh. I strongly advise against making it ahead of time. Tomatoes, when salted, will release a lot of their juices, potentially making the salad watery if left to sit too long. Basil can wilt quickly, losing its vibrant color and aroma, and the burrata is at its most exquisite when freshly opened, allowing its creamy interior to gently meld with the other ingredients at room temperature. For optimal flavor and texture, assemble the dish just before you plan to serve it. If you need to prep, you can slice tomatoes and wash basil, but keep them separate and combine just before serving.
• Bring Ingredients to Room Temperature: For the most intense flavors, allow your burrata and tomatoes to come to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before assembling the salad. Cold tomatoes can be less flavorful and firm, and cold burrata won’t have the same luscious, oozing interior. Room temperature ingredients truly sing!
• Season in Layers: Don’t just season at the end. Sprinkle a little salt over the tomatoes as you arrange them, then add more salt and pepper over the burrata and oil. This layered seasoning ensures every component is perfectly flavored.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burrata Caprese

Here are some common questions about Burrata Caprese salad and its key ingredients, answered to help you understand and enjoy this delicious dish even more.

Burrata Caprese

Ella Gilbert

Nutrition