Sun-Kissed Tomato and Creamy Burrata Panzanella

A Summer Tomato and Burrata Panzanella Salad is the ultimate celebration of peak-season produce, transforming simple ingredients into a dish bursting with vibrant flavors and delightful textures. This rustic Italian bread salad perfectly showcases juicy, ripe garden tomatoes, complemented by the creamy decadence of burrata cheese and garlicky toasted bread cubes. It’s a culinary masterpiece that’s surprisingly easy to create, promising a refreshing and satisfying meal that captures the essence of summer in every bite.

There’s nothing quite like the taste of a truly ripe, sun-kissed tomato, fresh from the vine or local farmer’s market. This Panzanella salad not only highlights the natural sweetness and acidity of these summer gems but also elevates them with the luxurious addition of burrata cheese and the satisfying crunch of seasoned bread. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving a light, flavorful meal, this recipe is guaranteed to become a warm-weather favorite.

Why You Will Love This Summer Tomato and Burrata Panzanella Salad

This Summer Tomato and Burrata Panzanella Salad isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience. Here’s why you’ll find yourself making it on repeat throughout the warmer months:

• A Celebration of Summer’s Bounty: When tomatoes are at their peak, this salad allows their natural sweetness and juiciness to shine. It’s the perfect vehicle for homegrown, heirloom, or farmers market varieties, ensuring unparalleled flavor.
• Irresistible Textures in Every Forkful: From the plump, bursting tomatoes and the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth burrata to the satisfying crunch of garlicky toasted bread and the tender bite of chickpeas, this salad offers an exciting textural journey.
• Balanced and Bright Flavors: The tangy balsamic vinaigrette beautifully complements the sweet tomatoes, while fresh basil adds an aromatic herbaceous note. The garlicky bread brings a savory depth, creating a harmonious and incredibly delicious flavor profile.
• Effortlessly Elegant and Easy to Prepare: Despite its gourmet appeal, this Panzanella is remarkably simple to assemble. Most of the prep is chopping, and the bread cubes toast quickly in the oven. It’s ideal for both casual weeknight dinners and impressive entertaining.
• Satisfying and Nutritious: With the addition of protein-rich chickpeas (garbanzo beans), this salad transforms from a simple side dish into a fulfilling main course. It’s a wonderful vegetarian option that leaves you feeling satisfied without being heavy.
• Inspired by Culinary Friends: This particular recipe draws inspiration from fellow food blogger Susan Pridmore of The Wimpy Vegetarian, showcasing her knack for creating fuss-free, delicious vegetarian dishes that everyone can enjoy.

What is Panzanella Salad? The Rustic Italian Bread Salad

Panzanella is a traditional Tuscan bread salad, a testament to Italian ingenuity in making the most of simple, fresh ingredients. Originating as a peasant dish, its primary purpose was to revive stale bread by soaking it in water, then tossing it with ripe garden tomatoes, onions, basil, and a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil and vinegar.

The beauty of Panzanella lies in its ability to transform humble ingredients into something extraordinary. The stale bread acts like a sponge, soaking up the flavorful tomato juices and tangy dressing, softening just enough to be tender yet still retaining a pleasant chew. This modern rendition elevates the classic with the creamy richness of burrata cheese and the added protein of chickpeas, making it a more substantial and indulgent meal.

The Star Ingredient: Creamy Burrata Cheese

If you’re new to burrata, prepare for a delightful culinary discovery! Often referred to as mozzarella’s creamier cousin, burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made from cow or buffalo milk. Its exterior is a solid shell of mozzarella, but once you cut into it, you’re greeted by a luscious, soft, stringy curd called stracciatella, which is mixed with fresh cream.

This unique composition gives burrata an unparalleled rich, buttery flavor and a wonderfully decadent texture that truly melts in your mouth. In this Panzanella salad, the burrata’s coolness and creaminess provide a stunning contrast to the acidity of the tomatoes and the crispness of the bread. It adds a luxurious dimension that makes this salad feel truly special. You can typically find burrata in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, often near fresh mozzarella.

Crafting the Perfect Panzanella: Expert Tips for Success

While a Panzanella salad is fundamentally simple, a few expert tips can elevate it from good to absolutely outstanding:

• Choose Your Bread Wisely: The type of bread is crucial. Opt for a sturdy, crusty bread like ciabatta, sourdough, or another rustic Italian loaf. Avoid soft sandwich breads, as they will turn to mush when mixed with the vinaigrette and tomato juices. If you don’t have stale bread (the traditional base for Panzanella), toasting fresh bread cubes in the oven is a fantastic workaround. This not only crisps them up but also creates a perfect canvas for soaking up flavor. Toss the bread cubes with olive oil and garlic before toasting for an extra boost of irresistible taste.
• The Power of Peak-Season Tomatoes: The quality of your tomatoes truly makes or breaks this salad. Seek out the juiciest, ripest, homegrown, or heirloom varieties you can find. Local farmer’s markets are your best bet during the summer. A mix of colorful tomatoes (red, yellow, orange, green zebras) will also make for a visually stunning presentation.
• Mind Your Onions: A sweet yellow onion offers a milder flavor that won’t overpower the delicate taste of the tomatoes and burrata. If you prefer red onions for their color and slightly sharper bite, soak the thin slices in cold water for about 10-15 minutes before adding them to the salad. This simple trick helps to mellow their pungency and makes them more enjoyable.
• The Art of the Basil Chiffonade: To thinly slice basil, stack several leaves on top of each other, then roll them tightly lengthwise like a cigar. Using a sharp knife, cut thin slices perpendicularly across the roll. This technique, called chiffonade, creates elegant ribbons of basil that distribute flavor evenly and look beautiful.
• Don’t Rush the Rest: While tempting to dive in immediately, allowing the salad to sit for at least 2 hours (or even longer) before serving is a game-changer. This crucial resting period gives the flavors ample time to meld together, and the bread cubes can properly soak up all the delicious juices and dressing, achieving that perfect tender-chewy texture.
• Customize Your Creation: Panzanella is incredibly versatile. Feel free to add other ingredients that you love. Bell peppers (especially roasted), crisp cucumbers, briny capers, Kalamata olives, grilled corn, or even thinly sliced radishes can add extra layers of flavor and texture.

Summer Tomato and Burrata Panzanella Salad Recipe

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of summer with this easy and refreshing Panzanella salad. This recipe, inspired by Susan Pridmore, is a delightful blend of fresh produce, creamy cheese, and garlicky toasted bread.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 2-3 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus ⅛ teaspoon
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 4 cups chopped tomatoes (preferably ripe, heirloom, or garden-fresh)
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ½ sweet onion, thinly sliced (or red onion, soaked in cold water)
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil (chiffonade)
• 3 (1-inch-thick) slices crusty bread, such as ciabatta or sourdough
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste or minced garlic
• 2 balls burrata mozzarella cheese, torn into 4-6 pieces

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil to create the dressing.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes, drained chickpeas, thinly sliced onion, and fresh basil to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to evenly coat all the ingredients. Set this mixture aside to allow the flavors to meld.
4. Tear or cut the crusty bread into large, rustic pieces, approximately 2 inches across.
5. In a separate large bowl, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil with the garlic paste or minced garlic. Add the torn bread pieces and toss thoroughly until the bread is evenly coated with the garlicky olive oil.
6. Arrange the seasoned bread in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Season the bread with the remaining ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt and the remaining ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper.
7. Bake the bread for 10 minutes. Flip the bread pieces over and continue baking for another 5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and toasted.
8. To serve, arrange the torn pieces of burrata cheese on a large serving platter or in individual bowls.
9. Add the warm toasted bread cubes to the tomato mixture and toss gently to combine, allowing the bread to start soaking up the delicious juices.
10. Pour the entire Panzanella salad, including any residual dressing, over the burrata cheese. Serve immediately or let it sit for at least 2 hours before serving for optimal flavor melding.

Notes

Recipe courtesy of Susan Pridmore.

For the best results, this salad is ideal when made in the summer or when the freshest, tastiest ripe tomatoes are available.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving (based on 3 servings):

• Calories: 620
• Total Fat: 39g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 28g
• Cholesterol: 24mg
• Sodium: 1636mg
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Fiber: 11g
• Sugar: 16g
• Protein: 19g

Frequently Asked Questions About Panzanella and Burrata

Here are answers to some common questions about this delightful Italian salad and its key ingredients:

Explore More Summer Recipes You May Also Like

If you’ve enjoyed this refreshing Summer Tomato and Burrata Panzanella Salad, you might also love these other vibrant and delicious recipes perfect for warmer weather:

• Middle Eastern Tomato Salad from Kalyn’s Kitchen
• Tomato Basil Pasta Salad
• Salade de Tomates et Fromage
• Discover more of the Best Salad Recipes