Updated: Apr. 19, 2023
It's rich, decadent and almost impossible to resist. If you don't have this type of fresh mozzarella on hand, what's the best burrata cheese substitute?
This rich, buttery cheese tastes great no matter how you prepare it, from classic apps like bruschetta or grilled nectarines with burrata to Instagram and TikTok trends like burrata boards and burrata pizza. But what if your recipe calls for burrata and you don’t have it on hand? Don’t worry; we can help you find a burrata cheese substitute.
What Is Burrata?
Burrata is an Italian cow’s milk cheese that looks like a large ball of fresh mozzarella, but slicing open the orb reveals a gooey surprise. It’s basically a cheese dumpling comprised of two kinds of cheese: a mozzarella shell stuffed with stracciatella, or shreds of fresh mozzarella soaked in cream.
This process to make this delectable cheese is strikingly similar to mozzarella, with cheesemakers heating the milk and setting the curds with rennet. From there, the curds are warmed with boiling water until they’re stretchable. Some of the stretched curds are formed into a loose pouch while others are left as strands, soaked in cream and stuffed inside the pouch. Finally, the ball is sealed and stored in whey or salted water, like fresh mozzarella.
How Does Burrata Taste?
Burrata means “buttered” in Italian, referring to the cheese’s undeniably rich flavor. Enjoying burrata is more than the taste of the cheese, though, as the beautiful combination of textures really comes into play here. The difference between the smooth shell and the soft curds inside excites the senses as the slightly sweet, buttery flavors hit your palate.
4 Burrata Cheese Substitute Ideas
Few cheeses truly live up to burrata’s flavor and texture, but that doesn’t mean you have to make a special trip if your store is out of stock. The best substitute for burrata depends on the type of recipe you’re making.
Fresh Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella is the closest swap for burrata when it comes to flavor, although it lacks burrata’s creamy interior texture. Look for mozzarella balls packed in water or whey for the closest match. This swap is perfect if your recipe calls for melted cheese. Burrata’s appeal is in the soft center, which is lost when the cheese melts, so you’re better off with fresh mozzarella anyway.
Stracciatella
If you can find it, stracciatella is an ideal substitution in recipes that call for raw burrata, like Caprese salad or bruschetta or as a finishing garnish for pasta or pizza. It has the same texture as the inside of a burrata ball because it’s used as the filling. It’s not as common as fresh mozzarella or burrata, but you may find it in a small container in the deli section at your grocery store. Learn how to make burrata Caprese.
Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is significantly bolder and saltier than burrata, but it has a similar creaminess that makes it work as a substitution. Look for sheep’s milk feta for its superior texture and richer flavor. This cheese can be used as-is in melted recipes, but you might want to make a whipped feta to get the consistency right when using it for raw applications.
Ricotta
Ricotta wouldn’t be our first choice as a substitute for burrata, but it will work in a pinch. This cow’s milk cheese is typically made from the whey leftover after making mozzarella, and it has a creamy texture and a lightly tangy flavor. It lacks burrata’s chewy consistency, but does emulate the cheese’s creamy interior. Don’t use ricotta in any recipe that calls for melted burrata, as this cheese doesn’t really melt.
Recipes That Would Be Better with Burrata (or a Burrata Substitute)
FAQs
Fresh mozzarella is the closest swap for burrata when it comes to flavor, although it lacks burrata's creamy interior texture. Look for mozzarella balls packed in water or whey for the closest match. This swap is perfect if your recipe calls for melted cheese.
What cheese is the same as burrata? ›
In the most basic sense, burrata is a thin layer of mozzarella housing a stracciatella filling. Stracciatella, in turn, is a combination of fresh cream and mozzarella shreds, likely a way for cheesemakers to utilize the scraps of the mozzarella-making process.
Is burrata just mozzarella and ricotta? ›
Burrata is a soft cow's milk cheese that's formed into a plump ball. It has an outer shell of mozzarella, while the inside is filled with fresh curd and rich, thick cream.
Does mozzarella taste like burrata? ›
Mozzarella has a milder, more delicate, milky flavor, while burrata has a richer, stronger taste due mainly to the sweet cream of the stracciatella. The main distinction between these two cheeses lies in the texture. Mozzarella comes in many shapes and sizes, but overall is much denser and more solid.
Does cottage cheese taste like burrata? ›
Whether you prefer large curd or small curd cottage cheese, both are reminiscent of stracciatella, the luscious center of a ball of burrata. I love to drizzle a bowlful of cottage cheese with good quality olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, and some flaky salt.
How to make fake burrata? ›
She starts with store-bought mozzarella before tearing it up into small curds, placing in a bowl, and mixing with heavy cream and salt. She lets this mixture sit and absorb for around a half hour. The result is a taste and texture just like stracciatella, which is that delicious inner part of burrata.
Is buffalo mozzarella like burrata? ›
While buffalo milk mozzarella and burrata cheese may look extremely similar at first glance in the window of Italian cheese shops, they have distinct differences. Buffalo mozzarella is a simple, smooth cheese with a slightly tangy flavor, while fresh burrata is a luxurious, creamy cheese with a soft, runny center.
Is burrata the same as brie? ›
Brie cheese is an excellent choice for substituting burrata because it is also soft and creamy. It has a similar texture and can be used in dishes that rely on burrata's signature creaminess. However, it is essential to note that Brie does not have the same rich, buttery flavor as burrata.
Which is healthier, burrata or mozzarella? ›
Health-wise, fresh mozzarella is seen as a better option than burrata. Burrata's creamy center is high in fats, making it a source of higher calories, while mozzarella provides a lighter, low-calorie cheese alternative.
How long does burrata last in the fridge? ›
Although Burrata House has found a technique to prolong Burrata's shelf life through packaging, eating it five days after opening is still recommended. Burrata cheeses can be preserved in the refrigerator for up to five days if placed in an airtight container and covered with water.
This fresh cheese resembles a Fresh Mozzarella ball, but when split open, you will be delighted to discover a rich-tasting soft filling of fresh pieces of Mozzarella soaked in heavy cream. This cheese offers a sweet, milky flavor that gently fills the palate.
Is burrata healthier than mozzarella? ›
Health-wise, fresh mozzarella is seen as a better option than burrata. Burrata's creamy center is high in fats, making it a source of higher calories, while mozzarella provides a lighter, low-calorie cheese alternative.
What is the difference between burrata and buffalo mozzarella? ›
While buffalo milk mozzarella and burrata cheese may look extremely similar at first glance in the window of Italian cheese shops, they have distinct differences. Buffalo mozzarella is a simple, smooth cheese with a slightly tangy flavor, while fresh burrata is a luxurious, creamy cheese with a soft, runny center.
What's so special about burrata? ›
Made and enjoyed fresh, no aging or maturing is needed to produce Burrata. No additives, preservatives or artificial fillers go into making the cheese, ensuring a clean and gluten-free experience.
