Oh, sweet simplicity! Sometimes the best food doesn’t require hours of simmering or complicated techniques—it just needs ingredients you genuinely love, treated right. That’s what this recipe is all about. I’m telling you, hands down, this is the quickest, creamiest, and most flavorful **Tomato Burrata Salad** you will ever slap together. Seriously, it takes maybe ten minutes!
The first time I truly *got* this salad was on a scorching August afternoon. We had these outrageously perfect, slightly sweet heirloom tomatoes my neighbor grew. Once I tore that gorgeous, soft burrata over them and added a drizzle of good oil, it was life-changing. Forget fussy appetizers; this is pure, elegant summer eating, and it proves you don’t need a recipe book to make something taste expensive.
Why This Tomato Burrata Salad Recipe Works So Well
When you only have three main ingredients, quality isn’t optional—it’s everything. This salad shines because of that perfect texture contrast and flavor balance. It’s impressive without trying too hard. If you want to learn how to make amazing tomatoes shine, check out my guide on marinated tomatoes!
- The creamy cheese melts perfectly into the tomato juices.
- The fresh basil cuts through the richness beautifully.
- The good olive oil ties all those bright flavors together.
The Creaminess of Burrata Cheese
Honestly, regular mozzarella just won’t do here. Burrata is mozzarella that’s been stuffed with a creamy center called stracciatella. When you cut into it, that luscious, milky cream spills out and mixes with the tomato juice. It makes the entire Tomato Burrata Salad taste richer, hiding that subtle milky flavor we all crave.
Selecting the Best Tomatoes for Your Tomato Burrata Salad
This is the most important tip I can give you: use peak-season tomatoes! Don’t bother if they look pale or hard; they won’t have any flavor. I always hunt for vine-ripened or heirloom varieties at the farmer’s market. If the tomato smells wonderfully earthy when you bring it close, you know you’ve found the winner for this salad.
Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Tomato Burrata Salad
Look, this isn’t complicated, which is why we cannot cut corners on ingredients! We need just a few things, but they all have to be top-tier. If you want that restaurant quality, trust me on the oil and the cheese. If you ever want to keep your fresh herbs vibrant longer, you should check out how to freeze fresh herbs in olive oil!
Here is exactly what you need to gather up for two servings:
- Two big, beautiful, ripe tomatoes, sliced about half an inch thick so they hold their shape.
- One eight-ounce package of burrata cheese—the whole thing!
- A handful of fresh basil leaves—tear them slightly just before you use them.
- Two tablespoons of your very best olive oil; think ‘drizzly’ quality, not ‘cooking’ quality.
- One tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.
- A half teaspoon of simple salt.
- A quarter teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper.
Step-by-Step Assembly of Your Tomato Burrata Salad
Okay, here is the fun part—putting it all together! Since this is just assembly, technique is everything here. You want it beautiful because we eat with our eyes first, right? Remember, we’re aiming for that perfect, rustic Italian presentation. If you love combining fruit and cheese, I have a fantastic grilled peach burrata salad you absolutely need to try next!
Preparing the Base: Tomatoes and Plating
First, grab your prettiest serving plate. I like something slightly large so the slices don’t look crowded. Take those perfectly ripe tomatoes and slice them about a half-inch thick. Now, arrange those tomato rounds in a pleasing circular pattern or even shingled across the platter. Make it look inviting!
Adding Creaminess and Freshness to the Tomato Burrata Salad
This is the showstopper moment! Don’t use a knife to cut the burrata—you’ll ruin the creamy center. Use your hands to gently tear it into four or five rustic chunks. Place those creamy pieces right over the tomatoes. Next, grab those basil leaves and just gently scatter them across the cheese. Make it look like they just drifted down.
Finishing Touches: Dressing and Seasoning
Now for the flavor punch! Take your olive oil and drizzle it evenly over the whole plate—aim for the cheese especially. Follow that with a nice drizzle of balsamic vinegar; don’t drown it, just coat it lightly. Finally, sprinkle everything generously with salt and that fresh black pepper. Taste a little bit before serving to make sure the seasoning is perfect!
Tips for an Expert-Level Tomato Burrata Salad
Anyone can throw cheese and tomatoes on a plate, but getting that restaurant-quality “wow” factor takes one little trick I learned the hard way. I used to pull the burrata right out of the fridge, and boy, did it taste flat! Now I know better. The ingredients need a little time to wake up before assembly. For more powerful dressings, you should check out my dive on making the ultimate Caesar dressing!
Once I started letting them sit out for twenty minutes, the flavor difference was huge. The tomatoes got juicier, and the cheese melted into that perfect oozing puddle instead of sitting there stiffly.
Temperature Matters for Your Tomato Burrata Salad
Don’t assemble this salad straight from the refrigerator. Take both your tomatoes and the burrata out on the counter about twenty minutes before you plan to serve. This allows their natural sugars and creamy fats to soften just enough. Trust me, room temperature makes the flavor explode!
Tomato Burrata Salad Variations and Substitutions
This basic recipe is fantastic, but if you’re feeling creative, it’s also screaming out for personalization! If you happen to be out of fresh basil—oops!—don’t panic. My notes remind us that fresh oregano is a really sharp, lovely back-up. Or you could try a totally different acid; I sometimes swap the balsamic for a splash of bright red wine vinegar, especially if my tomatoes aren’t super sweet.
The beauty of these simple Italian salads is how well they take to slight modifications. If you want a different angle on flavor, I highly recommend looking at my guide on making marinated tomatoes, as those flavors are fantastic here, too!
Adding Texture to Your Tomato Burrata Salad
Seriously, texturally, this salad is mostly soft and creamy. To stop it from being a one-note texture fest, we need crunch! I often toast a small handful of pine nuts until they’re golden brown—it takes maybe three minutes in a dry pan. Or, a final sprinkle of really coarse, flaky sea salt right on top gives an amazing little salty *pop* with every bite.
Serving Suggestions for Your Tomato Burrata Salad
Because this Tomato Burrata Salad is so light and fresh—really, it’s mostly high-quality produce and cheese—it demands a main course that lets it shine on the side. It’s the perfect palate primer before something robust!
Think grilled proteins! A simple, perfectly grilled steak or some beautifully seared scallops feel fancy but don’t overshadow the basil and tomato. It’s also amazing next to something simple yet satisfying, like my recipe for irresistible homemade French fries if you’re having a lazy Sunday pizza night. Just keep the main dish clean so you can taste that cold, creamy burrata!
Storage and Leftovers for Tomato Burrata Salad
Look, I’m not going to lie to you—this Tomato Burrata Salad is absolutely best enjoyed the second you finish assembling it. The moment those juices start mingling, you’ve got maybe an hour before the basil wilts and the tomatoes get too watery.
If you absolutely must save some, you have to keep everything separate. Store the sliced tomatoes in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the burrata sealed in its liquid until the last minute, too. Never try to dress the leftovers, or you’ll end up with sad, soggy sadness!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tomato Burrata Salad
I get so many questions about this simple salad because people worry they’ll mess it up! It’s usually about timing or one ingredient substitution. If you want to explore other refreshing ways to eat fresh produce, check out these vibrant Mediterranean salad recipes for even more inspiration!
Can I make the Tomato Burrata Salad ahead of time?
Nope! Sadly, no. For the best experience, you need to assemble this right before serving. The fresh tomatoes and the creamy burrata lose their magic quickly once dressed.
What is the difference between burrata and mozzarella?
That’s a great question! Regular mozzarella is solid all the way through. Burrata, on the other hand, has an outer shell of solid mozzarella stuffed with a mixture of cream and shredded cheese curds!
Another question I hear all the time is about the vinegar. You absolutely can swap the balsamic for a good red wine vinegar or even some fresh lemon juice if you want something less sweet. Also, people ask if they can use dried basil—and while you *can*, please trust me and stick to fresh! The flavor difference in this **Tomato Burrata Salad** is night and day.
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Tomato Burrata Salad
Now, I always tell people this is an estimation because the quality of your tomatoes and oil can change things like fat content slightly! Since this **Tomato Burrata Salad** is so fresh and simple, it keeps the numbers pretty reasonable for a delicious appetizer, especially if you aren’t overly generous with the cheese.
For a single serving, you are looking at roughly 350 calories. The fat content is present, mostly coming from that gorgeous, rich burrata and the olive oil, coming in around 28 grams total. We get a solid 18 grams of protein, which is lovely for a starter salad!
Share Your Experience Making This Tomato Burrata Salad
I truly hope you love this simple salad as much as my family does. It’s one of those recipes I keep going back to whenever I need something quick, vibrant, and elegant on the table.
Have you made this **Tomato Burrata Salad**? Did you stick precisely to the basil and balsamic, or did you try a variation? I want to hear all about it! Please hop down to the comments section below and let me know how it turned out. Be sure to give it a star rating so other cooks know what you thought!
If you snapped a gorgeous photo of your plated salad, I’d love to see it! Tag me or send it over using the contact form here: I love seeing your kitchen creations! Happy slicing, friends!
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Tomato Burrata Salad
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple salad featuring fresh tomatoes and creamy burrata cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe tomatoes
- 8 oz burrata cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes into rounds.
- Arrange the tomato slices on a serving plate.
- Tear the burrata cheese into pieces and place them over the tomatoes.
- Scatter the fresh basil leaves over the cheese and tomatoes.
- Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use high-quality, flavorful tomatoes for the best taste.
- You can substitute fresh oregano for basil if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Assembly
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 70
Keywords: tomato, burrata, salad, basil, appetizer, fresh