This Burrata Caprese Salad is destined to be your go-to summer salad, appetizer, or light main dish. It's a twist on a classic Caprese with the addition of creamy burrata known for its indulgent, buttery consistency.
My top tip: Use the freshest tomatoes and basil for flavors that will sing in your mouth!
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Recipe Highlights
- Garden fresh tomatoes and basil are sweet and fragrant. The perfect combination!
- Simplicity and easy preparation. It's as simple as toasting the crostini and assembling the other ingredients.
- Versatility. Fresh ingredients shine in this dish, which can be served as an appetizer, salad, or side dish with baked thin-sliced chicken breasts or giant cheese-stuffed shells. To serve as a main dish, add grilled chicken or shrimp.
Summer is a time to showcase fresh ingredients like zucchini in this goat cheese salad or tomatoes and basil in this Burrata Caprese Salad - a spin on my classic Caprese salad with balsamic vinegar. Burrata adds an indulgent touch to a light and casual dish.
What is Caprese salad?
Caprese is a salad made with tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella, seasoned with salt and olive oil. It originates from Capri, Italy, and features the colors of the Italian flag: green, white, and red.
What is Burrata?
Burrata is a fresh cheese made from cow's milk, combining mozzarella and cream. The outside is fresh mozzarella, which gives it a firm texture. The inside contains cream and stracciatella, which provides it with a soft, creamy texture. With its firm exterior texture, burrata can often be mistaken for a ball of fresh mozzarella, but the key difference lies in its creamy interior.
Ingredient Notes
- Tomatoes: I love using grape or cherry tomatoes in a variety of colors. Ripe heirloom tomatoes are also a great choice.
- Burrata cheese is a type of fresh mozzarella that is readily available in the specialty cheese section of most supermarkets. A package typically contains two 4-ounce balls. You'll need one 4-ounce ball for this recipe. Fresh mozzarella can be used, but it doesn't offer the same creamy texture.
- Basil: There's nothing better than the fragrant smell of fresh basil.
- Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO): Use a good-quality oil since its flavor will shine through.
- Crostini: Slices of toasted French bread are a perfect accompaniment if serving this as an appetizer or light lunch.
Variations
- Balsamic vinegar adds a sweet, rich acidity and pairs perfectly with other ingredients. Balsamic glaze can also be used as a finishing drizzle.
- Capers are not traditional in Caprese, but the salty morsels add a punch of big flavor.
- Pesto: Drizzle pesto, such as my homemade Pepita Basil Pesto, over the tomatoes for an extra burst of flavor and color.
- Peaches, avocados, arugula, red onion, and prosciutto are also delicious additions to Caprese salads.
- For a vegan option, use vegan mozzarella in place of burrata.
See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.
How to Make Burrata Caprese Salad
Step 1: Brush the slices of bread with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake on a sheet pan at 425°F for 3-5 minutes, until toasted.
Step 2: Slice the tomatoes in half. Use a serrated knife to avoid squishing them.
Step 3: Transfer them to a serving platter, drizzle them with olive oil, and season with flaky salt.
Step 4: Garnish with crostini and basil leaves that have been washed and patted dry. Place a ball of burrata on top and break it open to reveal the creamy interior. Drizzle it with olive oil and season with flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Expert Tips
- Use the freshest ingredients available since each one shines in this dish.
- Allow the burrata to come to room temperature before serving.
- Season the tomatoes just before serving to prevent them from becoming too soggy.
- Try basil-flavored olive oil for an extra burst of flavor, or experiment with the variations mentioned above.
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Recipe FAQs
Burrata Caprese is best assembled right before serving for the best texture. The crostini can be toasted in advance and stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Then, assemble the ingredients just before serving.
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for no more than two days. Store the crostini separately at room temperature.
Yes. Remove a ball of burrata from the liquid and blot dry with a paper towel. If you're not using the whole package of burrata, save the liquid to preserve the unused ball.
Burrata is high in calories due to its high-fat content. However, it is a good source of protein and calcium.
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📖 Recipe Card
Burrata Caprese
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Ingredients
- ½ loaf French baguette (sliced thin)
- ¼ cup olive oil (divided, plus more as needed)
- Kosher salt (regular or flaky sea salt)
- black pepper
- 1½ pounds cherry or grape tomatoes (assorted colors)
- ½ cup basil leaves
- 4 ounces burrata (at room temperature)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425℉. Brush the crostini with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until toasted, approx. 3-5 minutes.½ loaf French baguette, ¼ cup olive oil
- Slice the tomatoes in half using a serrated knife and transfer them to a serving platter. Top with basil and arrange the burrata on top, breaking it open. Drizzle the salad with olive oil to taste and season with flaky salt and black pepper. Arrange the crostini around the edge. Serve at room temperature.1½ pounds cherry or grape tomatoes, ½ cup basil leaves, 4 ounces burrata
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
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