Lemon and Fresh Basil Burrata Cheese Appetizer
You only need 5 ingredients to make this Lemon and Fresh Basil Burrata Appetizer!
While I love the freshness of tomatoes in this Burrata Bread Appetizer with Roasted Tomatoes, this lemon and basil burrata is an absolutely stunning appetizer for warmer days.
Why you’ll love this burrata appetizer
- Quick: This appetizer takes just 5 minutes to prepare!
- Delicious: Both lemon and fresh basil are bright flavours when paired with the creamy burrata!
- Show-stopper: This show-stopping appetizer is simple but perfect to serve for a special occasion.
What is burrata cheese?
Burrata cheese is an Italian cheese. It’s a mild cheese generally made from Italian cows or buffalo milk. While it has an exterior similar to mozzarella, the best part is when you cut into it to find a creamy center. The creamy center is called stracchiatella, a combination of shreds of mozzarella and cream It’s buttery, rich and has a slight milky taste and subtle sweetness.
Ingredients needed
Burrata cheese: You need one 8 oz ball of burrata or two 4oz balls of burrata (about 200-225 grams total)
Extra virgin olive oil: extra-virgin olive oil is a must for drizzling over top of the burrata cheese
Flaky salt: flaky salt is a type of sea salt which are much more broad flakes than traditional sea salt and is perfect to add a finishing touch to this appetizer
Lemon: lemon zest adds a bright flavour and is perfect for the Spring and Summer
Fresh basil: fragrant basil leaves and ribbons of fresh basil are used
How to make this burrata appetizer
Prepare the burrata cheese: Place 1 or 2 burrata balls in the middle of a low bowl. Cut the burrata balls open and spread out the filling a bit. (Use 2 burrata balls to serve more people).
Garnish the burrata cheese: Drizzle the burrata with olive oil (3-4 tablespoons). Then top with a pinch or two of flaky salt, zest from one lemon and ribbons of basil. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a few chili flakes if desired.
Tips for the best lemon basil burrata appetizer
- Fresh basil! Fresh basil is the way to go as it provides the best flavour. I do not recommend using dried herbs.
- For extra crunch, add some crunchy chopped pistachios.
- For extra spice / heat, add a sprinkle of chili flakes!
- Keep burrata stored in the liquid it comes in until ready to use. If you remember, take the burrata out 30-60 minutes before serving this appetizer. Burrata is best enjoyed at room temperature where possible.
Best served with
Make Crostini
- To a baking sheet place slices of baguette. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5-7 minutes until toasted. Set the toasted baguette slices aside to cool and then serve with burrata.
Crunchy Garlic Toasts
- Elevate the crostini you’re serving with the burrata. Make the crostini as described above. However, once the crostini are cooked, halve a garlic clove and rub the cut side of the garlic clove over each toasted crostini to make garlic toasts. This enhances the flavours of this appetizer!
Common questions
Many local grocery stores sell burrata. If you cannot find burrata, the closest substitute is fresh mozzarella cheese. Generally you can find fresh mozzarella balls packed in water or whey. Fresh mozzarella has the closest flavour in any substitute for burrata. However, please note mozzarella will not have the same creamy texture as burrata. If using fresh mozzarella instead of burrata I recommend adding a sprinkle of salt on the cheese before serving to enhance the flavour. In a pinch you could also serve this appetizer with fresh ricotta.
Lemon zest brings a delightful lemon flavour that isn’t too acidic. You can use a squeeze of fresh lemon juice instead if you don’t have a full lemon to zest.
Burrata is best enjoyed at room temperature so make sure to take it out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before making this burrata bread recipe.
Since this recipe is so simple, I recommend sticking with fresh basil which pairs beautifully with the lemon zest. In a pinch, you could try fresh mint or fresh chives.
More burrata appetizers to love from the blog
- Easy Burrata Bread Appetizer with Roasted Tomatoes
- Blood Orange Salad with Burrata, Hazelnuts & Mint
- Easy Pizza-Inspired Olive Oil Dip with Burrata Cheese
Lemon and Fresh Basil Burrata Cheese Appetizer
Ingredients
- 7-8 oz (200-225 grams) ball burrata cheese (or two 4oz balls of burrata)
- 3-4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1-2 pinches of flaky salt
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, cut into ribbons plus basil leaves for garnish
- (optional) chili flakes
- (optional) chopped pistachios
- crusty bread, a baguette to make crostini or focaccia bread for serving (see notes below for how to make crostini)
Instructions
- Place 1 (or 2 burrata balls) in the middle of a low bowl. Cut the burrata balls open and spread out the filling a bit. (Use 2 burrata balls to serve more people).
- Drizzle the burrata with olive oil (3-4 tablespoons). Then top with a pinch or two of flaky salt, zest from one lemon and ribbons of basil. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a few chili flakes or pistachios if desired.
Optional: Make crostini for serving
- To a baking sheet add slices of baguette. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5-7 minutes until toasted. Set aside to cool and then serve with burrata.
Notes
- Keep burrata stored in the liquid it comes in until ready to use. If you remember, take the burrata out 30-60 minutes before serving this appetizer. Burrata is best enjoyed at room temperature.
