Save to Pinterest There's a moment in summer when you realize regular salads just won't cut it anymore—you need something with heat, with char, with drama. I discovered this version on a Tuesday evening when I had burrata in the fridge and cherry tomatoes that were almost too ripe. The idea was simple: stop tossing them into a bowl raw and actually let the heat do something interesting to them. That first bite, the contrast between the blistered, concentrated sweetness of the tomatoes and the cool, creamy burrata, changed how I thought about salads entirely.
I made this for my sister one afternoon when she stopped by unexpectedly, and I remember her closing her eyes after that first forkful and saying nothing for a moment—which with her, meant everything. It's become the salad I make when I want to remind people that sometimes the best meals are the ones where three or four really good ingredients are treated with actual intention.
Ingredients
- Cherry tomatoes (2 cups): Use the smallest ones you can find; they char faster and their skins burst more dramatically when they hit the heat, concentrating all that sweetness.
- Extra-virgin olive oil (3 tbsp total): Split between the charring and the dressing—this is your flavor foundation, so don't skimp on quality here.
- Burrata cheese (8 oz): This is creamy, mild, and best served cool, which is why it works so beautifully against the warm charred tomatoes.
- Mixed baby greens (5 oz): Arugula brings a slight peppery edge, but spinach or spring mix work too if that's what you have.
- Balsamic glaze or vinegar (1 tbsp): The glaze is thicker and sweeter; if using vinegar, use the good stuff or it'll taste sharp instead of rounded.
- Fresh basil (1 tbsp plus more for garnish): Chop it just before you make the dressing so it stays bright and aromatic.
- Garlic (1 small clove): Minced finely so it dissolves into the dressing rather than shouting at you from every bite.
- Sea salt and black pepper: Use flaky salt as your final garnish—it catches light and tastes fresher than table salt.
Instructions
- Get Your Pan Hot:
- Pour 1 tbsp olive oil into a large skillet and set it over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering and moves easily around the pan. This takes maybe a minute, but patience here matters—cold oil won't char, it'll just steam.
- Char the Tomatoes:
- Add all your cherry tomatoes at once and let them sit undisturbed for about 2 minutes so they make real contact with the heat. Then shake the pan occasionally for the next 5–7 minutes until the skins are blistered and spotted with char. You'll hear them occasionally pop, and that's exactly what you want. Season with salt and pepper right away while they're still hot.
- Make the Dressing:
- While the tomatoes cool slightly, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, balsamic, minced garlic, fresh basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Taste it—balsamic vinegars vary wildly, so adjust to what feels balanced and bright to you.
- Build Your Salad:
- Lay your greens on a platter or individual plates first, creating a bed that will catch all the good juices. Scatter the warm charred tomatoes over the greens, then gently tear the burrata into large, irregular pieces and nestle them in.
- Dress and Finish:
- Drizzle the basil dressing all over, then scatter extra basil leaves and flaky sea salt on top. Serve right away while the tomatoes are still warm and the burrata is cool and creamy.
Save to Pinterest What I love most about this salad is how it feels like a small act of care—you're not just throwing ingredients into a bowl, you're actually cooking something. The warmth from the tomatoes, the cool silkiness of the burrata, the bright basil—it all comes together in a way that makes a Tuesday dinner feel intentional and a little bit special.
Why Char Works
Charring tomatoes isn't just about temperature; it's about breaking down their cell walls so they release more of their natural sugars and concentrate their flavor. When the skin blisters and darkens, you're creating a bitter-sweet complexity that raw tomatoes simply don't have. The contrast between that concentrated, almost jammy interior and the fresh, cool burrata is where the magic happens—it's the kind of balance that makes you take another bite.
Playing with Substitutions
I've made this with grilled tomatoes over charcoal when I had the grill going anyway, and the flavor is even deeper and smoky. Goat cheese or fresh mozzarella work if burrata isn't available, though burrata's unique creaminess is hard to replicate. If you want crunch, toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds stirred into the dressing or scattered on top add a welcome textural contrast that elevates the whole dish.
Serving and Timing
Timing is everything with this salad because you're playing with contrasts—warm charred tomatoes, cool creamy cheese, fresh herbs. Assemble it right before serving so the greens don't wilt and the burrata stays at its creamy best. This works beautifully as a light lunch, a starter before a heavier main, or the centerpiece of a summer dinner.
- Make the dressing while the tomatoes cook so you're not scrambling at the end.
- If you're serving multiple people, you can char the tomatoes ahead and serve them at room temperature with everything else prepped and ready to assemble.
- Pair this with a crisp Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio, or simply serve it with good bread to catch all those dressing drippings.
Save to Pinterest This salad taught me that sometimes the smallest recipes carry the most intention. It's a reminder that you don't need complicated techniques or long ingredient lists to create something memorable.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I achieve the perfect char on the tomatoes?
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the cherry tomatoes, shaking the pan occasionally until their skins blister and char in spots, usually 5-7 minutes.
- → Can I substitute burrata with another cheese?
Yes, fresh mozzarella or goat cheese are excellent alternatives that provide a similar creamy texture.
- → What type of greens work best in this salad?
Mixed baby greens such as arugula, spinach, or spring mix complement the tomatoes and burrata well, adding freshness and texture.
- → How can I enhance the salad's texture?
Adding toasted pine nuts or sliced toasted almonds introduces a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor.
- → Is this dish suitable for dietary restrictions?
It's vegetarian and naturally gluten-free. Be sure all packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free if needed.