Tomato Burrata Salad

This tomato burrata salad is the kind of summer recipe you make when tomatoes are finally good and you want something fresh, pretty, and almost effortless. It looks impressive enough for a BBQ, summer dinner, Fourth of July cookout, or girls’ night, but it comes together in about 10 minutes with no cooking at all.

Juicy tomatoes, creamy burrata cheese, fresh basil, good olive oil, balsamic glaze, flaky salt, and cracked pepper are all you need. Serve it with crusty bread and you have an easy summer side dish or appetizer that feels special without being complicated.

If you love a classic caprese salad, this burrata caprese salad is a creamier, more luxurious version. Instead of fresh mozzarella slices, burrata gives you that soft, creamy center that melts into the tomatoes and makes the whole dish taste restaurant-level with almost no effort.

Why You’ll Love This Tomato Burrata Salad

This recipe is perfect for summer because there is no oven, no stove, and barely any prep.

It comes together in about 10 minutes.

It is fresh, colorful, and beautiful enough to serve to guests.

It works as an appetizer, side dish, or light summer lunch.

It is a great way to use ripe summer tomatoes.

It pairs well with grilled chicken, steak, burgers, pasta salad, seafood, or crusty bread.

It looks fancy, but it is genuinely one of the easiest things you can make.

What Is Tomato Burrata Salad?

Tomato burrata salad is a simple Italian-inspired summer salad made with ripe tomatoes, burrata cheese, fresh basil, olive oil, salt, pepper, and often balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze.

It is similar to a caprese salad, but instead of using sliced fresh mozzarella, this version uses burrata. Burrata has a soft mozzarella-style outside with a rich, creamy center, so it makes the salad feel extra creamy and special.

This version uses tomatoes, fresh basil, balsamic glaze, and flaky salt for a no-cook summer side that is easy enough for a weeknight but pretty enough to bring to a cookout.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Tomatoes: Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes if you can. A mix of colors makes the salad look beautiful.

Cherry tomatoes: Halved cherry tomatoes add sweetness, texture, and little pops of color.

Burrata cheese: Burrata is the star. Let it sit at room temperature for a little bit before serving so the center is extra creamy.

Fresh basil: Basil gives this salad that classic caprese flavor. Use whole leaves or roughly tear them by hand.

Lettuce or arugula: A simple base helps turn this into more of a salad. Arugula adds a peppery bite, while leaf lettuce keeps it mild.

Extra virgin olive oil: Since this is such a simple recipe, use an olive oil you really like.

Balsamic glaze: Store-bought balsamic glaze works perfectly and makes this recipe extra easy.

Flaky salt and cracked pepper: Do not skip the salt. Tomatoes need salt to bring out their best flavor.

Crusty bread: Optional, but highly recommended for scooping up the tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic, and creamy burrata.

How to Make Tomato Burrata Salad

Start by adding your lettuce or arugula to a large shallow bowl or serving platter.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange them over the greens. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes throughout the salad.

Gently tear the burrata and tuck pieces around the tomatoes.

Add fresh basil leaves over the top. Drizzle everything with olive oil and balsamic glaze.

Finish with flaky salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Serve right away with crusty bread, grilled chicken, steak, burgers, or your favorite summer dinner.

Tips for the Best Tomato Burrata Salad

Use the best tomatoes you can find. This recipe is simple, so the tomato flavor really matters.

Let the burrata sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before serving. Cold burrata is still good, but room temperature burrata is much creamier.

Season generously with flaky salt. Tomatoes and burrata both need salt to taste their best.

Use a shallow bowl instead of a flat platter if you want to keep the tomato juices, olive oil, and balsamic together.

Add the balsamic glaze right before serving so the salad looks fresh and pretty.

Serve it with bread. The bread is perfect for scooping up the creamy burrata and tomato juices.

Favorite Tools for Serving This Salad

This is where your shallow bowl affiliate angle should go.

A shallow serving bowl works really well for tomato burrata salad because it keeps the tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic glaze, and creamy burrata together without everything sliding around a flat platter. It also makes a simple 10-minute salad look prettier with almost no extra effort.

Helpful serving tools:

Shallow serving bowls
Balsamic glaze
Flaky salt
Olive oil dispenser

What to Serve with Tomato Burrata Salad

This tomato burrata salad is one of those easy summer recipes that goes with almost everything.

Serve it with:

Grilled chicken
Steak
Burgers
Turkey burgers
Grilled shrimp
Salmon
Pasta salad
Chicken salad sandwiches
Italian sliders
Crusty baguette
Garlic bread
A simple summer pasta dinner

It is also a great fresh side dish for BBQs, cookouts, Fourth of July, Labor Day, or any summer dinner when you want something lighter next to heavier grilled food.

Can You Make Tomato Burrata Salad Ahead of Time?

This salad is best assembled right before serving, but you can prep a few pieces ahead.

You can slice the tomatoes a little ahead of time and keep them covered at room temperature for a short period. You can also wash and dry the greens and basil ahead of time.

Do not add the burrata, olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper until you are ready to serve. The salad looks and tastes best when it is fresh.

Storage

Tomato burrata salad is best eaten right away.

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The flavor will still be good, but the tomatoes and greens will soften after sitting with the burrata, olive oil, and balsamic.

This recipe does not freeze well.

Variations

Use arugula: Swap the lettuce for arugula if you want a peppery flavor.

Add prosciutto: Prosciutto makes this feel more like an appetizer board or light lunch.

Add peaches: Fresh peaches are delicious with tomatoes, burrata, basil, and balsamic.

Add grilled bread: Toasted or grilled bread makes this feel more filling.

Use cherry tomatoes only: If you do not have large tomatoes, use all cherry or grape tomatoes.

Add pesto: A few spoonfuls of pesto make this extra flavorful.

Add cucumber: Cucumber adds crunch and makes it feel even more refreshing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is burrata the same as mozzarella?

No. Burrata has a mozzarella-like outer shell with a creamy center. It tastes mild and fresh like mozzarella, but the texture is much softer and creamier.

Can I use mozzarella instead of burrata?

Yes. Fresh mozzarella works if you cannot find burrata, but the salad will be less creamy. If you use mozzarella, slice it or tear it into pieces and layer it with the tomatoes.

Should burrata be served cold or room temperature?

Burrata is best when it has had a little time to sit at room temperature. Let it sit for about 15 to 30 minutes before serving for the creamiest texture.

What tomatoes are best for tomato burrata salad?

Ripe summer tomatoes are best. Heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or a mix all work well. The most important thing is using tomatoes that actually taste good.

Can I make tomato burrata salad without balsamic glaze?

Yes. You can skip the balsamic glaze and use just olive oil, flaky salt, and pepper. You can also use a small drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar if you prefer.

Is tomato burrata salad a side dish or appetizer?

It can be either. Serve it as an appetizer with crusty bread, or serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken, steak, burgers, or pasta salad.

How long can tomato burrata salad sit out?

Because this recipe uses fresh cheese, it is best served soon after assembling. Do not leave it sitting out for hours, especially in hot weather. If you are bringing it to a cookout, assemble it close to serving time.

More Easy Summer Recipes

If you love this tomato burrata salad, you might also like these easy summer recipes:

Pasta Salad Recipes for Summer: https://mealswithmaria.site/pasta-salad-recipes/

Best BBQ Side Dishes: https://mealswithmaria.site/bbq-side-dishes/

Memorial Day Sides: https://mealswithmaria.site/bbq-side-dishes/

Fourth of July Recipes: https://mealswithmaria.site/fourth-of-july-bbq-ideas/

3 Bean Salad: https://mealswithmaria.site/3-bean-salad-recipe/

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad: https://mealswithmaria.site/deviled-egg-pasta-salad/

Chicken Salad Sandwiches: https://mealswithmaria.site/waldorf-salad-original-recipe/

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