What is Burrata Cheese?
Burrata cheese is a fresh Italian cheese which originated from the Puglia region of southern Italy. The Italian word for burrata means 'to buttery' or 'buttered in',referring to its rich and creamy texture.
It is made from cow's milk and cream, which has a soft, smooth texture that is similar to mozzarella cheese.
What gives burrata cheese its unique flavor in Italian cuisine is its amazing creamy center, made from a combination of cream and shredded pieces of mozzarella cheese.
The outer shell from this unique cheese is made from mozzarella curds that are stretched and formed into a pouch or ball shape, and then filled with that amazing creamy center.
What Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like?
Burrata cheese tastes leans heavily towards a richness of creamy buttery taste and a buttery texture that is actually hard to describe with its incredibly rich and indulgent flavor.
The outer shell is soft and tender, but the inside is filled with the amazing creamy, buttery mixture of cheese curds and cream. When sliced open, the creamy filling oozes out!
Biting into burrata cheese gives bursts of creaminess with a subtle tangy flavor balanced with a slight saltiness that can be similar to fresh cheese.
How Is Burrata Cheese Made?
Mozzarella curds are made by heating milk and adding rennet to coagulate the milk. The curds are drained and stretched in hot water creating a smooth elastic texture.
The curds are then formed into a pouch or sack filled with a mixture of fresh cream and stracciatella. The pouch is sealed up into ball shape, finally soaking the burrata in a brine for more flavor to help preserve it.
Is Burrata Cheese Pasteurized?
Yes, burrata cheese may be made with pasteurized milk and cream, and no, some burrata cheese is produced using raw milk and cream.
If it is important to you, it is best to check the label as to whether your burrata cheese is made from pasteurized milk and cream.
Is Burrata Cheese Vegan?
No, burrata cheese is not vegan since it is made from dairy products, such as cream and mozzarella cheese.
How to serve Burrata Cheese (what it is used for)
The place of Burrata cheese in you recipe repertoire:
- Salads: pairs very well with tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
- Pizza: pairs well with prosciutto ham a decadent topping for pizza.
- Pasta: can be used in a burrata cheese sauce for pasta recipes.
- Bruschetta: toasted bread bruschetta recipes topped with burrata cheese
- Sandwiches: great decadent choice instead of mozzarella.
- Appetizers: burrata drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt, black pepper.
How to eat Burrata Cheese?
Burrata is indulgent enough to enjoy in different ways, whether on its own or as a simple appetizer side dish. It can be enjoyed spread on toast with tomatoes and avocado.
Infused in a main course, like a luxurious creamy pasta dish, on decadent pizzas and especially enjoyed as a terrific creamy addition to salads.
Where to buy Burrata Cheese?
Where to buy your fresh burrata cheese can take some leg work in some locations but we found it at our fine food store at one of our specialty cheese shops.
A larger grocery in the United States store may carry burrata cheese. Also local farmers market near you and of course if you cannot find fresh burrata cheese locally you can try to online retailers.
Best Burrata Recipes
Some of our favorite Burrata cheese recipes:
- Burrata Caprese Salad
- Burrata Bruschetta
- Arugula Burrata Salad
- Grilled Peaches with Burrata
- Burrata and Prosciutto Pizza
- Burrata and Pesto Pasta
Best Burrata Cheese Substitutes and how to use them (Ranked)
Burrata cheese is a very unique Italian cheese with a creamy texture and rich flavor that is not easy to find a perfect substitute, but these different types of cheese are the best options.
1. Fresh Mozzarella Cheese or Mozzarella di Bufala
Fresh mozzarella, an Italian cow milk cheese is a type of pasta filata cheese. With a milky flavor that is a similar flavor to burrata cheese and also with a similar texture. Although it may not have the same rich indulgent creamy center, it is a good excellent substitute in salads or pizzas and pasta dishes.
Mozzarella di Bufala is a soft, Italian creamy cheese made from buffalo milk. It has a similar texture to burrata, but without the creamy filling used a great substitute for Italian burrata in dishes like salads and pizzas.
Burrata vs Fresh Mozzarella?
Burrata cheese is made from mozzarella and cream with the outer layer made of solid mozzarella cheese. The decadent inside is filled with a mixture of cream and strands of mozzarella that spills out when opened.
Fresh mozzarella cheese is made from cow's milk or buffalo milk. It has a slightly tangy and mild flavor, with a soft and stretchy texture. You can also learn more about mozzarella in my best options as substitutes for mozzarella cheese post!
Burrata vs Buffalo Mozzarella?
Burrata cheese is made from mozzarella and cream with a rich filling of cream and strands of mozzarella and mozzarella as the shell.
Buffalo mozzarella cheese, is a traditional cheese made from the fresh milk of water buffalo. It has a tangy and slightly sweet flavor, with a soft and moist texture.
2. Ricotta Cheese
Can I substitute Burrata for Ricotta?
Yes, ricotta cheese is also soft and creamy Italian versatile cheese made from hot whey of cow's milk, sheep's milk, or goat's milk, but also without the creamy center. It is a great addition as a perfect substitute for burrata cheese in dishes like salads, pasta or pizza.
Ricotta salata is a type of ricotta cheese that has been pressed, salted, and aged cheese, resulting in a bit more solid cheese with a firmer texture and a slightly nutty flavor. You can learn more about ricotta with my best cheese for pasta as a great resource!
Burrata vs Ricotta Cheese?
Burrata cheese has a creamy and soft texture with a rich, buttery flavor with a rich decadent filling. It is often served as a standalone dish or used as a topping for pizzas and salads.
Ricotta cheese is a soft and grainy cheese with a milder flavor but slightly sweet and a creamy texture.
Ricotta cheese is often used as a filling in Italian dishes such as lasagna, ravioli, and cannoli, and as a topping for pizza and pasta dishes.
3. Stracciatella Cheese
Stracciatella is a similar cheese to burrata in terms of texture as it is made from the same curd. The cheese is stretched, filled with cream, and shredded to make a creamy filling. It has a similar creamy texture and can be used as a substitute for burrata in dishes like salads, pasta, and pizza
4. Goat Cheese
Goat cheese in terms of flavor is a tangy and creamy and somewhat tart and can be used as a good substitute for burrata in some dishes like salads or spread out on toast with avocado and pasta dishes.
Burrata vs Goat Cheese?
Burrata cheese is a fresh Italian cheese that is made from mozzarella and cream. It has a very rich, creamy texture and a slightly tangy flavor that comes from the addition of cream. When cut open, burrata cheese has a soft, creamy center that oozes out, which makes it a decadent ingredient in salads, pastas, and other dishes.
Goat cheese is made from goat's milk and has a tangy, slightly tart flavor. It can have a variety of textures, ranging from soft and creamy to crumbly and firm. Goat cheese is often used in salads, sandwiches, and other savoury dishes where its tangy flavor can add a bright, zesty note.
4. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a soft cheese with its generally mild taste is it not as rich or flavorful but of course it has a smooth creamy texture. It is another best substitute for burrata cheese in recipes that call for it as a spread or a filling, or even used with savoury pasta dishes.
5. Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is a soft white cheese has a crumbly texture and a tangy, salty creamy stronger flavor.
The goat cheese version of feta has a richer flavor with springy texture that can be a good substitute for burrata in salads, pizza and pasta dishes. You can also view my best options for substitutes for feta cheese!
7. Cottage Cheese
Does cottage cheese taste like Burrata cheese?
Burrata cheese has a very creamy and rich texture, while cottage cheese has a slightly grainy texture due to the curds. Burrata cheese also has a slightly tangy taste due to the addition of cream, while cottage cheese has a slightly sour taste that is a lower fat cheese.
To use cottage cheese as a substitute for burrata you might have to puree it in a blender or food processor to create a smoother texture.
8. Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone is a rich, creamy spreadable type of cheese that's made from cream that has a high-fat content. Like others on this list, it does not have a filling of cream but has slightly sweet flavor and a smooth velvety texture. Often used in desserts like tiramisu, but it can also be used as a suitable substitute for burrata in dishes like pasta and pizza.
By spreading a layer of mascarpone over the tomatoes and topping it with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil you substitute it for burrata in a Caprese salad in a pinch.
Best Vegan Cheeses to Substitute for Burrata Cheese?
9. Cashew Cheese
Cashew cheese is made from soaked cashews blended and often with nutritional yeast, lemon juice and garlic. It has a tangy flavor with a creamy texture used similar to a cream cheese which makes it a best vegan substitute for burrata delicious spread on tomatoes with olive oil.
10. Tofu Ricotta
Tofu ricotta is made from crumbled tofu with herbs and spics that can be another vegan option as a substitute for burrata cheese in the same way as ricotta cheese in salads, pizza and pasta dishes.
11. Vegan Cream Cheese
Made from plant based ingredients such as soy milk, almond milk or cashew milk with a mild tangy flavor and creamy texture. It can be used in vegan recipes as a great alternative for burrata cheese in a similar way to cream cheese.
FAQ's
Other Cheese to try as a substitute for Burrata Cheese?
Brie cheese or a fresh queso fresco cheese not an aged queso fresco cheese along with almond cheese another vegan non dairy cheese can also be used as substitutes for burrata cheese. I would only use them if they are more readily available than the other cheese on this list.
Can I freeze Burrata Cheese?
While you can freeze Burrata cheese we do not recommend it as it will change the texture and flavor. Burrata is a fresh cheese is meant to be eaten as soon as possible. With such a delicate flavor and a high moisture content, any freezing can cause it to get watery and lose its amazing creamy texture.
If you have leftover burrata cheese that you need to freeze, it is best to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil then placed in a freezer bag removing all air bubbles. It will keep up to 2 months if wrapped properly.
To thaw the frozen burrata cheese allow to sit a at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 hours, serving immediately.
If you are looking to make a dish using frozen cheese, it is best to use one of the kinds of cheese better suited to freezing like cheddar cheese, gouda, and parmesan cheese.
While preparing your burrata recipe it is best not to allow the burrata cheese to sit out at room temperature longer than 2 hours before putting in the fridge to be safe.
How to store Burrata Cheese?
If you have leftover burrata cheese to store it is best to keep it in its original packaging marinated in brine or water which will last in the fridge for 5 to 7 days.
You can also store it in a shallow covered dish and fill with enough water to cover the cheese to store in the fridge for up to 6 or 7 days.
If that is not possible wrap the burrata cheese in a cheese storage bag or baking paper as an alternative not plastic wrap if you can avoid it. It will keep in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!