It's hard to find a dish that is as classic and delicious as Burrata Caprese! Made with heirloom tomatoes, fresh burrata, aromatic basil, a good quality olive oil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, this dish is the perfect combination of fresh, savoury, and sweet. Whether you're looking for an easy weeknight meal or an impressive dish to serve to guests, this dish is sure to be a hit.
One of our favourite recipes to make with summer's bounty of beautiful tomatoes is a classic Caprese salad with burrata. This light, fresh dish is a perfect accompaniment to any summer meal.
Heirloom tomatoes are the best for this salad because of their sweet flavour and bright red colours; they make it magical.
The sweetness from the tomatoes, the creaminess from the burrata, plus the aroma from the basil are a match made in heaven. And then there's the sticky balsamic - the perfect finishing touch.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Heirloom Tomatoes - we have used some very large ones for this salad. I also like using aromatic truss or beefsteak tomatoes as they are somewhat similar. Why not change it up completely and use some cherry tomatoes or a tomato medley instead?
HINT - if you can't smell that wonderful tomatoey aroma, give them a miss, as they are probably not ripe. - Burrata cheese - this brings such delightful creamy gooeyness to the salad; it can be found in most supermarkets alongside the other soft cheeses. I have also found it in the freezer section of some delis, probably because it is a fresh cheese that spoils easily.
If you can't find burrata, swap for mozzarella slices, mozzarella pearls or baby bocconcini. - Fresh Basil - tomato and basil are perfect together, which is why they are such a classic pairing. Drizzle with some store-bought pesto if you can't find any fresh.
- Olive Oil - it is important to look for a good quality olive oil; opt for a "virgin" or "extra virgin" variety as the oil has been extracted mechanically, not chemically.
- Balsamic glaze - adds some sticky, sweet, tangy flavour, you can make your own balsamic glaze, or you can use a splash of aged balsamic vinegar instead.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Burrata Caprese recipe is a breeze. Simply cut the tomatoes and layer them on a plate. Place the burrata balls in the middle, sprinkle on the basil, and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Voila!
Step 1 - Cut the Tomatoes
Wash and trim the tomatoes carefully, slicing them into thick rounds and enjoying the delicious tomatoey aroma of the tomatoes.
Season with cracked pepper and sea salt, then let it stand for five minutes to really bring out their sweetness.
Step 2 - Chiffonade the Basil
Wash and pat dry the basil leaves, rolling them into a cigar shape and slicing them into thin ribbons.
Step 3 - Assemble the Burrata Salad
Arrange the tomato slices around the edge of a round platter, then place the drained burrata balls in the centre.
Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle the basil ribbons on top, add a generous squeeze of balsamic glaze. Keep chilled until ready to serve - enjoy!
Caprese Salad Variations
Create a unique burrata Caprese salad by swapping out the ingredients for whatever you have on hand. Have fun and get creative:
- Add some avocado as we have in our Tricolore Salad.
- For a much more intense basil flavour, add some pesto as we have in our Tomato Mozarella Salad.
- Go for some bocconcini or mozzarella instead, as we did in our Tomato Bocconcini Salad.
- Swap the tomatoes for fresh peaches as we did in our Peach Salad with Mozarella.
- Add spinach to bulk it up as we did in our Spinach Caprese.
Serving Suggestions 🍽
Not only is this simple Italian salad delicious, but it's also a great way to show off your summer tomato bounty.
- It's not just a side dish - it's an antipasto starter that can be enjoyed at any time of the day, so serve it as a help-yourself starter for a casual dinner party or barbecue with some crusty bread or cheesy garlic bread.
- Serve it with crusty bread and a glass of wine, and you have the perfect light summer meal.
- For casual family dinners, pair it with any pasta dish.
- Serve it at summer BBQs alongside grilled meats.
- With lemon garlic chicken or pan-fried fish.
- Great with marinated steak and smashed crispy potatoes.
Buon Appetito!
People Also Ask
What is a Caprese Salad
- Caprese salad is a simple yet oh-so-tasty Italian classic that's sure to please!
- It's made up of delicious slices of fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, sweet basil, and the perfect finishing touch - olive oil, salt, and sometimes a drizzle of balsamic.
- With its colourful presentation and fantastic flavour, it's said to have originated on the island of Capri around the 20th century - either to appeal to the tastes of vacationing politicians and royals or to honour the Italian flag 🤷🏻♀️.
How Can I Choose the BEST Ripe Tomatoes?
- Look for ones that are firm, evenly coloured, and fragrant.
- Avoid tomatoes that exhibit any bruising or soft spots for optimal freshness.
- If you can, choose heirloom tomatoes from your local farmers market, as they are likely to be the freshest and best quality.
Is Burrata Cheese Similar to Mozzarella?
- Fresh mozzarella cheese is a semi-soft Italian cheese made from cow or water buffalo milk.
- Burrata is next-level mozzarella; it is made with mozzarella that has been stretched and ripped into thin strands (called Stracciatella); the strands are soaked in cream, and all that gooey delicious goodness is encased in a fresh mozzarella outer shell and tied up or sealed into a ball - yum!
- Burrata cheese has a luxurious, creamy, and buttery taste, with a texture that's both tender and soft on the inside yet firm on the outside. It's a truly delicious experience!
What Makes heirloom tomatoes different From Regular Tomatoes?
- They are plants that have been passed down through generations of gardeners whose saved seeds produce plants with the same characteristics.
- They have a unique flavour that sets them apart from the rest. The balance of tart and sweet is amazing, and the texture is silky, not mealy. These tomatoes are in a class of their own; you are in tomato nirvana when you bite into one.
Can Burrata Caprese Be Made Ahead of Time?
Slice and salt your tomatoes up to two hours in advance, then arrange them on a platter with the burrata and basil sprigs. Just before serving, cut the basil to avoid browning, and top with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1 kilogram heirloom tomatoes 1 kilo (approximately 6 large, 35.27 ounces/ 2.2 pounds)
- 250 grams fresh burrata cheese (2 burrata balls, 8.82 ounces)
- 6 large fresh basil leaves
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze optional
- 2 large basil sprigs
- Sea salt and cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Carefully wash and trim the tomatoes then slice into tick, rounds.
- Season with some cracked pepper and sea salt flakes then let stand for five minutes to sweeten.
- Wash the basil leaves and pat them dry. Stack them on top of each other and roll them into a cigar shape, slice thinly into ribbons.
- Arrange the tomato slices around the edge of a round platter.
- Drain the burrata and place in the middle of the platter, add the basil sprigs.
- Scatter the basil ribbons on top,of the tomatoes, drizzle with some olive oil, then squeeze on some balsamic glaze.
- Keep chilled until ready to serve. Enjoy!
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