The cheese market is overrun with a whole minefield of textures, flavours and (unforgettably) aromas. Yet, burrata stands out.
A fairly new cheese, burrata was invented in Puglia during the 1950s and builds upon the much-loved mozzarella cheese.
Burrata is a cow or buffalo milk-based cheese, made using fresh cream and mozzarella curds dipped into whey or salted water. It is the herb wrapping that really extenuates the burrata’s strong flavour.
Since burrata is a speciality cheese, chances are that you will not find it in your usual supermarket. You will have to hunt for it amongst cheese delis and markets, which isn’t always possible.
So, what are the appropriate substitutes for burrata that match its flavour and texture?
Our 3 Substitutes for Burrata
What sets burrata apart from other cheese is its considerably milky, creamy interior which is practically impossible for other cheese to replicate.
Some cheeses can match a few characteristics of burrata like its aroma, flavour, and texture such as:
1) Mozzarella
Seeing as burrata already incorporates the curds of mozzarella into its making and that the two kinds of cheese start out with the same fresh cow/buffalo milk base, it makes sense that mozzarella would be a good substitute for burrata.
Mozzarella is known for its creamy texture, but it fails to achieve the luxurious feel of burrata.
Still, it is the substitute that most closely resembles burrata’s quality and, to the average joe, can be mistaken for burrata in any dish.
Mozzarella is also a very versatile cheese that is just as tasty and appetising when served as a hot dish component or a cold dish topping.
So, no matter what kind of recipe requires burrata, mozzarella is more than capable of filling the role without technical fail – ideal for those less confident in their cooking abilities who don’t want to ruin a fancy cheese.
It’s Far Cheaper than Burrata
Being such a household food item, it is not hard to find good mozzarella priced moderately at your local supermarket and makes for a more accessible substitute for burrata.
2) Feta Cheese
Before we get into this substitute, it is worth noting that if you are not fond of strongly flavoured cheeses, then feta is not the burrata alternative for you.
Truthfully, the only thing that feta has in common with burrata is its often-overpowering tanginess. The textures are vastly different and even the aesthetic of the two kinds of cheese is incomparable.
If you are only bothered about replicating the rich flavour profile of burrata rather than its creamy texture, then feta is the right choice for you.
Feta is best used as an additional topping for a dish rather than as the main dish ingredient, due to its strong flavour.
When paired with fish, for example, feta combats the fishes’ natural saltiness to help create a fresher dish. However, it would not serve well as a replacement for the fish completely.
Consider Textures
When you are planning on using feta as a burrata substitute, take a real look at the recipe and figure out if the burrata is being used for its flavour or as a texture modifier.
If the recipe uses burrata as more of a topping or completing element, then feta is the ideal substitute.
3) Cream Cheese
Burrata often tends to be consumed as a dip, much like a baked camembert cheese. Though, camembert holds little resemblance to burrata in terms of flavour and texture.
Instead, consider cream cheese.
Inexpensive and probably a staple in anyone’s fridge, cream cheese when left at room temperature can easily work as one of the best substitutes for burrata.
Its creamy, smooth feel makes it a great dip without being overwhelmingly rich like burrata can often be.
With cream cheese, you won’t be wasting your money if you dislike using it as a dip as there are so many recipes you can use cream cheese in. Burrata… not so much.
Wait to Reach Room Temperature
Cream cheese won’t be quite right straight from the fridge. Instead, give it time to come up to room temperature before serving as one of the substitutes for burrata.
Other Substitutes for Burrata
All of the substitutes mentioned on this list are easy to access and require little no effort on your part.
However, there is a vegan-friendly substitute that, if prepared correctly, can be turned into a great burrata alternative:
- Cashew Cheese – As long as you allow cashew cheese to develop over a few hours (or longer), then you can achieve that burrata tang without having to use any dairy.
Just boil some cashews, drain, and then blend with coconut oil, lemon juice, yeast, tapioca starts and fleur de sel, adding water until completely smooth. Then, let cool and leave to develop in the fridge for a few hours.
Summary
Burrata is such a unique cheese that you will not find a substitute to replace all its key characteristics.
However, there are plenty of options out there for you to choose from once you have decided what you would rather replace: the flavour or the texture of burrata.