Fresh Nectarine Burrata Salad Recipe with Basil Oil
A quick and refreshing salad combining juicy nectarines, creamy burrata, and vibrant homemade basil oil, perfect for light meals or entertaining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ripe nectarines, sliced (firm but juicy; ripe peaches can be a substitute)
- 8 oz (225 g) burrata cheese, fresh and soft
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves (preferably organic)
- ½ cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil, high quality
- 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds for crunch
- Optional: drizzle of honey for extra sweetness
Instructions
- Make the basil oil: Wash and dry basil leaves thoroughly. Place 1 cup basil leaves, ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, and 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar in a blender. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until smooth and vibrant green. Taste and add a pinch of salt if desired. Add a teaspoon of water if oil is too thick.
- Prep the nectarines: Wash and slice nectarines thinly, about ¼ inch thick. Optionally toss slices lightly with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of basil oil to infuse flavor early, but avoid overdressing.
- Assemble the salad: Arrange nectarine slices in a single or slightly overlapped layer on a large serving plate or bowl. Tear burrata into chunks and scatter evenly over nectarines. Drizzle basil oil generously on top, then sprinkle sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Add optional crunch: Toast pine nuts or slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Sprinkle over salad just before serving.
- Final touches and serve: Optionally drizzle honey over the top. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 1 hour before serving, adding nuts last minute to keep them crisp.
Notes
Use fresh burrata the day you buy it for best flavor and texture. Dry basil leaves thoroughly before blending to avoid watered-down oil. Avoid over-slicing nectarines to maintain juicy texture. Add nuts just before serving to keep them crisp. Basil oil can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 sala
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: nectarine salad, burrata salad, basil oil, fresh salad, summer salad, easy salad recipe, quick salad, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad