A creamy, flavorful, and simple appetizer featuring fresh burrata cheese, ripe tomatoes, and basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze for the perfect bite.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Easy Burrata Cheese Appetizer is elegance simplified. In just 10 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality starter that balances creamy cheese with juicy tomatoes and aromatic basil. The combination of flavors and textures—silky burrata, sweet-tart tomatoes, and herbaceous basil—creates a sophisticated appetizer that's perfect for everything from casual gatherings to special occasions. The balsamic glaze adds a beautiful finishing touch that elevates this simple dish to something truly memorable. Best of all, there's no cooking required, making this the perfect stress-free appetizer for busy hosts.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Burrata cheese is the star of this appetizer, with its creamy, mozzarella-like outer shell and soft, rich interior that creates a luxurious mouthfeel and mild, milky flavor that pairs beautifully with other ingredients.
Cherry tomatoes provide bright acidity and sweetness that balances the richness of the burrata, and their juicy texture creates a pleasant contrast to the creaminess of the cheese.
Olive oil adds a silky texture and subtle fruity notes that enhance all the other flavors in the dish; use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for best results.
Balsamic glaze brings a concentrated sweet-tart flavor that ties everything together, adding depth and complexity with its rich, syrupy consistency.
Fresh basil leaves contribute a pop of color and an aromatic, slightly peppery quality that's quintessentially Italian and complements both the cheese and tomatoes perfectly.
Salt and pepper are simple but essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors; flaky sea salt works particularly well for both flavor and visual appeal.
Directions
- Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes on a serving platter, creating a beautiful base for your appetizer.
- Gently place the burrata cheese in the center of the tomatoes, being careful not to break it before serving.
- Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic glaze over both the cheese and tomatoes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring even distribution.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves, tearing larger leaves if desired.
- Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, or just enjoy as is.
Servings and Timing
This recipe serves 4 people as an appetizer. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare with zero cooking time required, making it perfect for last-minute entertaining or when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. Each serving contains approximately 250 calories, making it a relatively light starter that won't fill guests up before the main meal.
Variations
Mediterranean Style: Add sliced olives, capers, and a sprinkle of oregano for a Mediterranean twist.
Fruit Forward: Replace tomatoes with sliced peaches or fresh figs when in season for a sweet-savory combination.
Pesto Drizzle: Add a drizzle of fresh basil pesto alongside or instead of the balsamic glaze.
Spicy Version: Sprinkle with red pepper flakes or drizzle with chili oil for those who enjoy heat.
Herb Garden: Expand beyond basil with additional fresh herbs like mint, thyme, or chives.
Roasted Tomato: For a deeper flavor, use roasted cherry tomatoes instead of fresh ones.
Storage/Reheating
Burrata is best enjoyed fresh and doesn't store well once plated with other ingredients. If you need to prepare components ahead of time, store the burrata in its original liquid in the refrigerator until ready to use, and prepare the tomatoes separately.
If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but the quality will diminish significantly—the burrata will lose its distinctive texture and the tomatoes may become soggy.
This dish is meant to be served at room temperature and doesn't require reheating. In fact, heating would destroy the delicate texture of the burrata. If you've refrigerated leftovers, allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving again.
FAQs
What exactly is burrata cheese?
Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains stracciatella and cream, giving it a unique soft texture. It originated in the Apulia region of Italy and is traditionally made from buffalo or cow's milk.
Can I make this appetizer ahead of time?
This appetizer is best prepared just before serving. However, you can prepare the components separately—cutting the tomatoes, measuring the oil and balsamic—up to a few hours ahead. Assemble the dish right before serving to maintain the burrata's perfect texture.
What can I substitute for burrata if I can't find it?
If burrata isn't available, you can substitute with fresh mozzarella, though you'll miss the creamy interior. Another option is a good quality ricotta served at room temperature, which will provide a similar creamy texture.
What's the difference between balsamic vinegar and balsamic glaze?
Balsamic glaze is a reduction of balsamic vinegar, often with added sugar, that creates a thicker, sweeter, more concentrated product. If you only have balsamic vinegar, you can make your own glaze by simmering vinegar with a bit of honey or sugar until reduced by half.
How do I serve burrata properly?
Burrata should be served at room temperature to fully appreciate its flavor and texture. It's traditionally cut open at the table, allowing the creamy interior to spill out. Provide small knives or spoons for guests to serve themselves.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Traditional burrata contains dairy, but you could create a similar presentation using a dairy-free mozzarella alternative and a creamy dairy-free cheese like cashew ricotta for the center. The flavor profile will differ, but it can still be delicious.
Is this appetizer gluten-free?
The burrata appetizer itself is naturally gluten-free. Just be mindful of what you serve alongside it—offer gluten-free crackers or bread if serving to those with gluten sensitivities.
How can I tell if burrata is fresh?
Fresh burrata should have a clean, milky smell and a firm outer shell that still yields slightly to gentle pressure. It should be stored in its own liquid and consumed within 1-2 days of purchase for optimal flavor and texture.
Can I grill the tomatoes for a different flavor?
Absolutely! Grilling or roasting the tomatoes adds a smoky depth and concentrates their sweetness. Just be sure to let them cool to room temperature before assembling the dish so they don't melt the burrata.
Conclusion
This Easy Burrata Cheese Appetizer proves that sometimes the simplest combinations create the most memorable dishes. By pairing creamy burrata with sweet tomatoes, aromatic basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, you've created a starter that celebrates fresh, quality ingredients with minimal effort. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, preparing a romantic meal, or simply treating yourself to something special, this appetizer delivers sophisticated flavor without complicated techniques. The dish embodies the Italian philosophy of allowing excellent ingredients to shine through simple preparation—a timeless approach to food that never disappoints. Consider this recipe your go-to appetizer when you want to impress with elegance and flavor rather than fuss and complexity.
Burrata Cheese
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A creamy, flavorful, and simple appetizer featuring fresh burrata cheese, ripe tomatoes, and basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze for the perfect bite.
Ingredients
1 ball of fresh burrata cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes on a serving platter.
- Gently place the burrata cheese in the center of the tomatoes.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
- Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, or just enjoy as is.
Notes
- Best served fresh for optimal flavor and texture.
- Pairs well with crusty bread or crackers for dipping.
- If you prefer a stronger flavor, add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
