Burrata Cheese Substitutes » AGAH Productions

Burrata cheese is a delicacy originating from southern Italy that has gained immense popularity worldwide in recent years.

This fresh Italian cheese has a creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor that makes it a fabulous addition to many dishes.

However, burrata can be difficult to find and quite expensive, especially when you want it for recipes.

Luckily, there are several excellent substitutes for burrata cheese that can mimic its texture and flavor well.

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What is Burrata Cheese?

Burrata cheese was invented in the early 1900s in the Apulia region of southern Italy. The word "burrata" itself means "buttery" in Italian, perfectly describing the velvety texture of this cheese.

To make burrata, cheesemakers take freshly made mozzarella curds and submerge them in cream. The outer part of the cheese is formed into a thin mozzarella shell. The inside is filled with stracciatella - shreds of mozzarella soaked in heavy cream - creating a lush, creamy center.

The finished product resembles a small round pouch filled with soft cheese and cream. Fresh burrata has a shelf life of only a few days. When you slice into it, the creamy contents ooze out irresistibly.

Key Takeaway: Burrata cheese is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and heavy cream. It has a creamy interior encased in a thin mozzarella exterior.

How Does Burrata Cheese Taste?

The taste of burrata cheese is simply luxurious. The outer mozzarella shell has a mild, milky flavor and slightly rubbery yet tender texture. The interior stracciatella is rich, decadent and ultra-creamy. It tastes mildly tangy and lactic, with lovely herbal notes.

Overall, burrata strikes the perfect balance between the mild savoriness of mozzarella and the indulgent creaminess of mascarpone or ricotta. It melts in your mouth with subtle sweetness and a buttery finish that is deeply satisfying.

The freshness of the cheese hugely impacts the flavor. Less than 3-day old burrata has a pristine, clean taste. As it ages, tanginess increases, and the cheese takes on more complex, fermented notes. However, any burrata is delicious when optimally ripe.

How to Use Burrata Cheese

Thanks to its versatility, burrata cheese shines in both savory and sweet preparations:

Salads - Burrata is fabulous in Caprese salads with tomatoes and basil or simple greens dressed with olive oil. The creamy cheese contrasts the fresh ingredients beautifully.
Pasta - Burrata makes a luscious topping for pasta combined with roasted vegetables or tomato sauce. It also pairs well with pesto.
Pizza - Scattered over pizza just before serving, burrata melts deliciously into the other toppings. It works with both white and red pizzas.
Appetizers - Burrata is divine when served with bread, prosciutto, olives and other antipasti.
Sandwiches - In warm sandwiches like paninis, the creamy cheese makes a wonderful addition.
Desserts - Drizzled with honey or served with fresh fruit, burrata can be a decadent dessert too.

The essential point is that burrata shines when allowed to melt slightly at warm or room temperature. This brings out its signature creaminess that enhances any dish.

Best Substitutes for Burrata Cheese

Finding a worthy stand-in for burrata cheese depends hugely on how you intend to use it. Here are some of the best burrata alternatives for every purpose:

For Salads and Appetizers

Fresh Mozzarella

As burrata itself contains mozzarella curds, fresh mozzarella makes an obvious substitute in terms of flavor. Good quality mozzarella should have a moist, milky interior when sliced open. It has a mild, clean dairy flavor similar to burrata.

However, mozzarella lacks the decadent creaminess of burrata. Still, its soft but firm texture works well in salads, bruschetta and antipasti. Use an equal quantity of fresh mozzarella in place of burrata.

Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta is a fresh Italian cheese made from the whey left over after making cheeses like mozzarella. It has a snowy white color, fluffy texture and mild, faintly sweet flavor.

While ricotta is not as rich as burrata, it provides a similar creaminess. Use it in place of burrata in salads, pairing it with tomatoes, greens, olives, herbs and fresh balsamic dressing.

You can also stuff ricotta in tomatoes or spreads it on crostini for a tasty, summery appetizer. Use ricotta in a 1:1 ratio when substituting burrata.

Bocconcini

These small, bite-sized mozzarella cheeses native to southern Italy have a texture and flavor similar to fresh mozzarella. Bocconcini means “little mouthfuls” in Italian.

The pearls of cheese have a deliciously soft, milky interior when sliced open. While they lack the decadent creaminess of burrata, their mild flavor and tender texture work beautifully in Caprese salads, on pizza and in antipasti.

For Pizza

Low-Moisture or Part-Skim Mozzarella

Low-moisture or part-skim mozzarella has a firm yet pliable texture that melts and browns wonderfully on pizza. It has a milky flavor that suits both white and red pizzas.

While it cannot mimic the indulgent creaminess of burrata, low-moisture mozzarella provides the required stretchy, melted cheese texture. Use it in a 1:1 ratio when making pizza at home.

Smoked Mozzarella

Smoked mozzarella has a deeper, more complex flavor while still providing the meltability required for pizza cheese. Made by naturally smoking fresh mozzarella over wood chips, it has an irresistible smoky aroma and rounded flavor.

Smoked mozzarella melts into pizza beautifully, forming delicious gooey strands. It gives the pizza a subtle smoky nuance without overwhelming other toppings. Use it in the same quantity as burrata.

Oaxaca Cheese

Also called quesillo or asadero cheese, Oaxaca cheese originated in Mexico. It has a mild flavor and melts into stretchy, fine strands when heated.

On pizza, Oaxaca cheese creates a wonderfully melty, stringy texture very similar to burrata. It has a slightly tangy, buttery flavor that works with any pizza toppings. Use equal amounts of shredded Oaxaca in place of burrata chunks.

For Pasta

Buffalo Mozzarella

Buffalo milk mozzarella is prized for its soft, creamy texture and clean, rich dairy flavor. Good buffalo mozzarella oozes milky liquid when cut open. It has a tender, moist consistency similar to burrata.

In pasta, buffalo mozzarella provides the same luscious mouthfeel and bright, tangy flavor notes as burrata. Toss chopped buffalo mozzarella through hot pasta along with roasted veggies, pesto or tomato sauce for an indulgent meal.

Mascarpone

Smooth and spreadable mascarpone cheese has a subtle sweetness that complements many dishes. It provides a rich, silky texture similar to burrata minus the chewy mozzarella shell.

Stir cubes of mascarpone into hot pasta along with Parmesan cheese for a quick, decadent cream sauce. Or mix mascarpone with ricotta as a ravioli filling. Use mascarpone in a 3:4 ratio when substituting burrata in pasta.

Goat Cheese

The soft, spreadable texture of fresh goat cheese resembles the creamy interior of burrata. It has a distinctive tangy, grassy flavor that adds interest to pasta.

Goat cheese pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, caramelized onions, walnuts and bold herbs like basil pesto. Try tossing warm pasta with crumbled goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and oregano.

For Sandwiches and Burgers

Brie Cheese

With its edible white rind and lush, creamy interior, brie cheese makes a fabulous melty filling for grilled sandwiches. It provides a similar ooey-gooey texture and tangy flavor as burrata.

Use thin slices of brie in place of burrata in toasted sandwiches filled with tomatoes, pesto or prosciutto.

For burgers, try spreading brie on the patties during the last few minutes of grilling for irresistible, melted cheese.

Fresh Mozzarella

Good fresh mozzarella works wonderfully in hot sandwiches too. It provides the right balance of pliable yet firm texture after melting. Fresh mozzarella has a clean, milky taste that suits most sandwich fillings.

Use fresh mozzarella sliced or shredded to get that stretchy melted cheese texture in your warm sandwiches. Try it alongside roasted vegetables, prosciutto or other meats.

Havarti Cheese

Havarti is a Danish semi-soft cheese with a creamy, smooth texture. It melts beautifully into an elastic consistency perfect for grilled sandwiches. Havarti has a buttery aroma and sharp, tangy flavor.

For an indulgent sandwich, use slices of havarti instead of burrata along with pesto, tomatoes and crisp greens. Havarti also works well in burgers, providing a sharp flavor to contrast the meaty juiciness.

For Desserts

Mascarpone

With its rich texture and subtle sweetness, mascarpone is perfect for both sweet and savory dishes. Use it as you would burrata in fruit-based desserts for a decadent treat.

Try mascarpone swirled with honey and berries or stuffed into poached stone fruits. Its versatility also allows mascarpone to be used in cheesecakes and tiramisu.

Full-Fat Ricotta

Full-fat ricotta has a lush, creamy texture similar to mascarpone. Unlike mascarpone, it has a fresh, milky flavor that allows other ingredients to shine.

Use ricotta as filling for crepes, cannoli shells, pancakes or doughnuts. You can also fold it into cake batters for added moisture. Pair it with baked fruit, chocolate or caramel sauce for irresistible desserts.

Cream Cheese

This common soft cheese has a mild tang that adapts well to sweet and savory dishes. It provides a rich, dense consistency similar to burrata minus the chewy exterior. Use softened cream cheese as a simple substitute in desserts.

Blend it into cheesecakes or frostings, or use it as a dip for fresh berries. The options are endless when it comes to enjoying cream cheese in sweet treats.

Key Takeaway: The best substitutes for burrata in recipes depends on how you intend to use it. Mozzarella, ricotta, brie and goat cheese can replace burrata in different dishes.

FAQs

Is burrata better than mozzarella?

Burrata and mozzarella have slightly different textures and flavors. Burrata is considered more decadent because of its lush, creamy interior in contrast to mozzarella's dense, rubbery texture. However, mozzarella has a more pronounced fresh milk flavor. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference.

Can I freeze burrata cheese?

It's best not to freeze burrata cheese. The delicate texture will degrade and the cheese can become grainy. For best quality, fresh burrata cheese should be consumed within 2-3 days of production.

What wine pairs well with burrata?

Fresh, acidic white wines like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Champagne make excellent pairings for burrata. The crisp acidity and fruity flavors contrast the rich creaminess of burrata divinely. Sparkling rosé is another great option.

How long does burrata last in the fridge?

Fresh burrata will keep for 2-3 days when stored properly in the fridge. Make sure to wrap it in paper towels inside an airtight container, and place it towards the back of the fridge where temperature is most consistent.

Can you cook with burrata?

Gently warming burrata is fine, but high, direct heat can make the cheese rubbery. Add burrata atop cooked pizzas, pastas and grains just before serving so it can melt slightly without overcooking. It also works wonderfully in no-bake applications.

Is burrata better than mozzarella?

Conclusion

With its indulgently creamy texture and nuanced flavor, burrata cheese is worth getting for any cheese lover. However premium cheeses can also be costly.

Thankfully, the alternatives suggested here like fresh mozzarella, ricotta, mascarpone, brie and others can mimic burrata beautifully in recipes. With a variety of options for pizza, pasta, salads, desserts and more, you can still enjoy the spirit of decadence brought by burrata.