Fresh Peach Burrata Salad

This stunning peach and burrata salad celebrates peak summer produce with sweet grilled peaches, crisp raw corn, and creamy burrata cheese all brought together by a vibrant hot honey vinaigrette that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. The combination of warm, caramelized peaches with cool, creamy burrata creates an irresistible contrast of temperatures and textures, while fresh herbs and crunchy pistachios add layers of flavor and visual appeal. This sophisticated yet simple salad proves that when you start with the best seasonal ingredients, minimal preparation can create maximum impact.

I created this salad during peak peach season when I was looking for a way to showcase their incredible sweetness and flavor beyond traditional desserts. The breakthrough moment came when I realized that grilling the peaches intensifies their natural sugars while adding subtle smoky notes that pair beautifully with creamy burrata. What I love most about this combination is how the hot honey vinaigrette ties everything together - the honey enhances the peach sweetness while the chili heat prevents it from being cloying, and the acid brightens all the flavors. Now this salad has become my signature dish for summer entertaining because it always generates compliments and feels special enough for guests while being genuinely easy to prepare.

Essential Ingredients and Selection Tips

• Ripe peaches: Choose peaches that give slightly to pressure and smell sweet; they should be fragrant and yield to gentle touch
• Fresh corn: Use the sweetest corn you can find; kernels should be plump and milky when punctured
• Quality burrata: Look for fresh burrata with a soft, creamy center; use within a day or two of purchase
• Hot honey: Mike's Hot Honey is widely available, or make your own by infusing honey with chili flakes
• Fresh herbs: Use bright, aromatic basil and mint; avoid wilted or dark leaves
• Good olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil makes a noticeable difference in the simple vinaigrette

Step-by-Step Instructions

Create the hot honey vinaigrette:

In a small jar or bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar, hot honey, minced fresh garlic, and a pinch of salt. Whisk or shake vigorously until well emulsified and smooth. The dressing should have a balanced sweet-spicy-tangy flavor that will complement both the fruit and cheese. Set aside to let flavors meld.

Prepare peaches for grilling:

Wash and dry ripe peaches, then cut them into thick slices, about 1/2 inch wide, discarding the pits. The slices should be thick enough to hold their shape on the grill but thin enough to cook through quickly. Pat dry with paper towels to ensure good browning and prevent sticking.

Grill peaches to caramelized perfection:

Heat a grill pan, outdoor grill, or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Grill peach slices for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop beautiful caramelized grill marks and become tender but still hold their shape. The natural sugars should be lightly caramelized, creating deeper, more complex flavors.

Prepare the corn and herb mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, combine raw corn kernels cut from fresh cobs, finely diced shallots, chopped fresh basil, and chopped fresh mint. The raw corn should be sweet and crisp - taste a kernel to ensure it's tender enough to eat raw. If the corn seems tough, briefly blanch it in boiling water for 1-2 minutes.

Dress the corn mixture:

Add about half of the prepared hot honey vinaigrette to the corn and herb mixture, tossing well to ensure everything is evenly coated. The dressing should lightly coat all ingredients without pooling at the bottom of the bowl. Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Assemble with artistic flair:

Transfer the dressed corn mixture to a large serving platter, spreading it evenly as a base. Arrange the grilled peach slices attractively over the corn, then add dollops of fresh burrata cheese throughout the salad, tearing it into bite-sized pieces as you go.

Finish with final touches:

Drizzle the remaining hot honey vinaigrette over the entire salad, paying special attention to the burrata and peaches. Sprinkle with roasted, salted pistachios for crunch and color, then garnish with additional fresh basil and mint leaves. Season lightly with flaky sea salt, especially over the burrata.

Serve immediately at optimal temperature:

Present the salad while the peaches are still slightly warm from grilling, creating that perfect temperature contrast with the cool burrata. The combination of warm and cool elements, along with the varied textures, creates the most appealing eating experience.

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The technique I'm most passionate about in this recipe is grilling the peaches to concentrate their natural sweetness and add subtle smoky depth that transforms them from simple fruit into something truly special. When I first made this salad, I almost used raw peaches, but grilling them was a game-changer that elevated the entire dish. The brief time on the grill caramelizes the natural sugars on the surface while warming the fruit, creating this incredible contrast when paired with cool, creamy burrata. The key is using medium-high heat and not moving them too much - you want those beautiful grill marks that indicate proper caramelization. This technique works with other stone fruits too, making it a valuable skill for all summer cooking.

Seasonal Ingredient Optimization and Peak Flavor

This salad showcases the importance of using ingredients at their absolute peak. Summer peaches and corn are dramatically different from their off-season counterparts, with concentrated sugars and optimal textures that make raw and lightly cooked preparations shine. Understanding seasonality helps explain why this combination works so beautifully during specific months.

Temperature and Texture Contrast Mastery

The interplay between warm grilled peaches and cool burrata creates sensory excitement that makes each bite more interesting. This technique of combining different temperatures and textures - crisp corn, creamy cheese, tender fruit, crunchy nuts - creates complexity that keeps the palate engaged throughout the meal.

Vinaigrette Balance and Flavor Harmony

The hot honey vinaigrette demonstrates how to balance sweet, spicy, and acidic elements to enhance rather than mask ingredient flavors. The honey amplifies fruit sweetness while chili heat prevents cloying, and acid brightens everything while helping emulsify the dressing. Understanding these flavor relationships creates successful dressings for any salad.

Cheese Selection and Handling Technique

Burrata requires understanding how to handle delicate fresh cheese for optimal presentation and flavor. Room temperature serving allows the creamy interior to flow naturally, while gentle tearing rather than cutting maintains the cheese's texture. Proper timing ensures the burrata doesn't become too soft or lose its shape.

Grilling Technique and Caramelization Science

Successful fruit grilling requires understanding how natural sugars behave under heat. The Maillard reaction and caramelization create complex flavors while proper technique prevents burning or mushiness. This knowledge transfers to grilling other fruits and vegetables throughout the season.

Assembly and Presentation Strategy

The layered assembly technique creates visual appeal while ensuring flavor distribution in every bite. Starting with the dressed corn base, adding warm peaches, then cool burrata creates logical temperature and flavor progression. Understanding presentation principles elevates simple ingredients into restaurant-quality dishes.

This peach and burrata salad has become one of my most treasured summer recipes because it perfectly captures what I love about seasonal cooking - taking ingredients at their absolute peak and combining them in ways that highlight their natural beauty and flavor. There's something magical about that first bite when you get the sweet, smoky peach with the creamy burrata and that bright, spicy-sweet dressing all together. Every time I serve this salad, whether for casual backyard dinners or more formal gatherings, it creates those wonderful moments where conversation stops and everyone just appreciates how perfectly the flavors work together. It's proof that some of the best recipes aren't about complicated techniques, but about understanding ingredients and letting them shine.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! Make the dressing up to one day ahead and store in the fridge. You can also prep the corn mixture a day early. Just add the burrata and peaches right before serving.

→ What if I can't find burrata cheese?

Fresh mozzarella works great as a substitute. You can also use goat cheese or ricotta for a different but delicious flavor.

→ Can I use frozen corn instead of fresh?

Fresh corn tastes best, but you can use thawed frozen corn. Just pat it dry first and skip the grilling step since it's already cooked.

→ How do I know when peaches are ripe enough?

Look for peaches that give slightly when pressed and smell sweet at the stem end. They should have vibrant color without green spots.

→ What can I use instead of hot honey?

Mix regular honey with a pinch of red pepper flakes, or use maple syrup with a dash of hot sauce for similar sweet heat.

→ How long will leftovers keep?

Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The salad tastes great cold or at room temperature after sitting out for 30 minutes.