Burrata cheese looks and sounds so fancy, which is why we love having it around for our many recipes that call for it. It’s a beautifully balanced cheese with a perfect combination of contrasting textures, working together to delight our tastebuds soothingly!
You get mildness and freshness that suits the delicate palate, from the buttery consistency to rich flavors. If you can’t find this amazing cheese, you can experiment with various burrata cheese substitutes.
You can try fresh mozzarella, feta, cashew, queso fresco, or ricotta as a great replacement for Burrata Cheese in any recipe!
The 7 Best Substitutes For Burrata Cheese
Burrata (pronounced as boor-rah-tah) is an Italian cow milk cheese made of buffalo milk or cow’s milk. The name derives from the Italian word burro, meaning butter.
Unlike other cheeses with one uniform consistency, burrata is a ball of cheese made of soft mozzarella cases filled with very creamy stracciatella. Yes, it’s made of two kinds of cheese!
It’s an artisanal cheese originating from Andria, from Puglia, an Italian region, back in the early 20th century.
Throughout the years, production was limited only to that region. Burrata was then introduced to California in the 1980s, then gained popularity in the late 2000s. (*)
As a result of its unique process, you get a soft, spongy, and elastic outer layer with an oozy and creamy interior.
Learn more: What Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like? (THE TRUTH)
It has a rich, buttery flavor with a bit of tang and soft texture, with the interior served with a bit of olive oil, salt, and black pepper to dip food in.
You can purchase burrata cheese in specialty cheese shops, the cheese section in grocery stores, Italian restaurants, or online stores.
In case you can’t find or buy any, here are substitutes for burrata cheese to choose from:
1. Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
Fresh mozzarella cheese is the best substitute for burrata cheese, working amazingly in different dishes and recipes.
It’s made from fresh buffalo or cow milk and has the burrata cheese taste. After all, burrata is made of mozzarella, though it has a milkier and creamier texture than mozzarella.
While mozzarella doesn’t have the similar creamy feel and lush texture burrata has, it works as an excellent substitute.
It is actually more versatile since you can use it for hot and cold applications, whether fresh or cooked.
You can fry, bake, or eat this cheese on its own, though bagged mozzarella won’t have the similar consistency or pleasant flavor you expect, though it will still taste great in pizza or other cooking methods. (*)
Learn:
- Burrata vs. Mozzarella (Know The Cheesy Differences!)
- What Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like? Here’s the Cheesy Deal!
2. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a perfect substitute for burrata if you want toppings for tasted crostinis as it has the similar creamy consistency burrata cheese has. As the name suggests, it’s a creamy cheese great for spreading or as a dip when served at room temperature.
Before serving cream cheese, please remove it from the fridge for about an hour, so it reaches the ideal temperature. Note that cream cheese has a high-fat content, so it isn’t best if you’re watching your calories! (*)
- Best For: you can try it in cheesecakes, frostings, dips, toppings, sweet & savory dishes, and desserts.
Learn: What to Eat with Cream Cheese (15 Ideas That Go Beyond)
3. Feta Cheese
Feta cheese isn’t one of the best substitutes for burrata, but it will do if you have nothing else left.
Feta cheese has a similar tanginess as burrata but nothing else, made from goat’s milk. So, if you’re prioritizing the tangy taste, then you can try feta cheese.
- Best For: You can use in Greek salad, spanakopita, pizza, or pie with olive oil, roasted red peppers, and nuts.
4. Cashew Cheese (Editor’s Choice for Vegan Substitute)
If you’re looking for dairy-free and vegan, cashew cheese is a new and adequate substitute.
Cashew cheese can stay soft like burrata and has a similar tanginess.
- Best For: You can use it in pizza, drizzled over potatoes, or even as a salad dressing.
5. Queso Fresco (Reader’s Choice For Vegan Substitute)
Queso fresco is made from cow’s milk, a type of white cheese with a springy texture and delicate flavor. Because of that, it can melt in dishes when you need to cook it.
We love this cheese because it can melt excellently without becoming too stringy!
You can also use this to sprinkle on dishes and age it for up to six months for stronger flavor (you can choose between mild or aged).
- Best For: You can use it in burrito bowls dressing/sauce, chips dip, or even as a sauce for cheesy pasta! We recommend you should serve this queso hot for the best experience.
6. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is made from hot whey and reheating liquids leftover from other types of cheese.
It’s high in protein, and some have fresh milk for better texture. However, it has a very mild flavor and is best used in traditional recipes like ravioli or lasagna.
You can even use it in desserts like cannoli or cheesecake.
Bottom line: Can I substitute burrata for ricotta?
It’s more similar to cottage cheese but still works as a substitute since it’s easy to find.
7. Make Your Own Burrata Cheese
Yes, you can make your own burrata cheese and achieve a similar flavor to the unique cheese!
Here’s an easy recipe to follow:
Ingredients for the mozzarella casing:
- Two 8-ounce balls of fresh mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil for drizzling
Ingredients for the stracciatella:
- One pound of mozzarella curds
- One cup of heavy cream or fresh cream
- Two tablespoons of sea salt
Directions:
- Fill a medium pot of water, placing it on high heat (about 180 degrees F).
- Mix your curds with salt until well incorporated.
- Place your salted curds in hot water for 1-2 minutes or once it’s soft and stretchy, which is the desired texture.
- Using a small spoon, create a small hole, hollowing out your mozzarella balls. You can use any excess mozzarella to create more balls.
- Remove your curds from the hot water (keep it heated), then place the hollowed mozzarella balls in the water for a minute or once softened.
- As the mozzarella balls soften, mix your curds in a bowl with heavy cream, letting it reach a creamy consistency.
- Drain your mozzarella balls. Using a bigger spoon, stuff your curds in the hollowed balls, twisting the openings to seal well.
- Place your cheese in the fridge for up to 24 hours before serving. Afterward, drizzle your burrata with olive oil and enjoy it fresh on its own or in most recipes!
While this recipe is fun to do, it’s not the best substitute for burrata if you need something right away.
Get The Recipe: tastemade.com
Interesting Facts:
How To Eat Burrata Cheeses?
There are various traditional ways you can eat burrata cheese, like
- Eaten fresh on its own,
- Consume burrata cheese with bread, tomatoes, and pine nuts, and drizzle olive oil,
- Crumbled or whole as a topping to pasta, pizza, salads, or other savory dishes.
As for recipes, we love how this fresh cheese is very versatile. You can add it to many dishes, whether the main course, side dish, or topping.
Here are some recipes you can use this creamy cheese in:
- Charcuterie boards,
- Crostini
- Flatbread
- Pizza
- Pasta
- Salads
- Soups
- Sandwiches
- Roasted vegetables
Can burrata cheese melt excellently?
Burrata cheese grates better, browning to a golden color as it melts. However, it will lose the unique texture contrast of the delicate exterior and creamy interior after cooking. This cheese is best enjoyed fresh and uncooked.
- Fun fact: Despite being around since the 20th century, Burrata cheese didn’t become popular until the late 2000s because of how more renowned chefs used it in international food, sharing it in mainstream media and online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrapping It Up
There’s nothing like burrata cheese, but if you don’t have it for your recipes or charcuterie board, then there are other cheeses you’ll appreciate just as much.
