Creamy Burrata Cheese Caprese Salad (With Heirloom Tomatoes)

This easy and impressive Burrata Cheese Caprese Salad recipe brings together everything we love about summer-fresh, simple ingredients, bold flavor, and zero cooking required. It's perfect for summer gatherings or a quick weeknight dinner, and always a hit.

During our trips to Italy, Caprese salads were our go-to-fresh, light, and full of flavor. Now at home, when summer rolls around and our garden is overflowing with ripe tomatoes and fragrant basil, this salad becomes a weekly staple. It's our way of reliving those sun-soaked memories with every bite, no plane ticket required.

This Burrata Caprese is like the creamy cousin of the traditional Caprese salad. While the classic uses slices of fresh mozzarella, this version uses creamy burrata, a soft, rich cheese with a mozzarella shell and creamy center.

It melts slightly when paired with room-temperature tomatoes and olive oil and makes every bite extra special. Most recipes just stack the ingredients, but I like to spread them out like a composed salad platter, great for sharing and even better for impressing guests.

If you are looking for more Italian-inspired recipes, check out my Linguine Bolognese, Dutch Oven Meatballs, Dutch Oven Short Rib Rigatoni, or Gluten-Free Meatballs, and enjoy alongside an Aperol Soda.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• No Cook Salad: No oven, no stove. Just slice, drizzle, and it's done in 5 minutes.
• Super Customizable: This heirloom tomato salad works as a side dish or main, and you can add grilled chicken or prosciutto.
• Perfect for Entertaining: The presentation alone makes it feel fancy, even though it's secretly so easy.

• Heirloom Tomatoes: When these are in season, I use them every chance I get. They're so much more flavorful than your standard grocery store tomatoes, which are usually bred to survive shipping, not to taste good. Heirlooms are grown for flavor, and you can really tell. They're juicy, a little softer, and have this complex, almost wine-like taste that pairs perfectly with creamy burrata. If you grow your own, even better, but the farmer's market or local grocery store will usually have some great options during the summer. Scroll down for a quick guide on how to pick the best ones.
• Burrata Cheese: Creamy burrata cheese is the star of the show. It's rich and decadent, and turns this simple salad into something memorable. If you've only ever used fresh mozzarella cheese in your Caprese salads, this is your sign to level up.
• Basil: Fresh basil leaves are a non-negotiable here. If you've got a summer garden, chances are you've got more basil than you know what to do with-and this salad is one of the best ways to use it. It adds that fresh, peppery flavor that ties everything together and makes the whole thing taste like summer.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Glaze: A little drizzle of a good olive oil, along with balsamic glaze, helps tie this entire salad together.
• Flaky Sea Salt and Black Pepper: Large flaky sea salt brings out all the flavors and adds a nice crunch, while the pepper adds a little kick!

How To Select The Best Heirloom Tomatoes

Substitutions And Variations

• Cheese: You can swap the ball of burrata for fresh mozzarella cheese if you like. 
• Tomatoes: While I love using juicy heirloom tomatoes, you can swap them out for cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, or large beefsteak tomatoes.
• Add Protein: Feel free to add prosciutto, grilled shrimp, or chicken for an added boost of protein.
• Pesto: For a simple twist, you can substitute the fresh basil for homemade pesto.

Nadia's Expert Tips And Tricks

• Use room-temperature tomatoes and burrata for the best flavor.
• Don't slice the burrata, tear it for that rustic, creamy look.
• Salt the tomatoes well, they love salt.
• Use high-quality olive oil, preferably one you don't use for cooking, only for drizzling! It really does make a difference.
• Make it just before serving so everything stays fresh and vibrant.

What To Serve With Burrata Cheese Caprese Salad

• Toppings: Add a spoonful of dairy-free pesto, or sprinkle crushed pistachios for crunch.
• Main Dishes: Pairs perfectly with Traeger grilled salmon, smoked whole chicken, or gluten-free lasagna.
• Side Dishes: Serve alongside Turkish potato salad or roasted carrots with feta.
• Crusty Bread: Enjoy with warm sourdough or crostini for scooping up every last bit of the caprese burrata salad.
• Drinks: Enjoy with a crisp rosé, sparkling water, or Aperol soda.