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Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe

I have to tell you, this Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe is one of those magical dishes that feels like a summer day on a plate. The juicy sweetness of peaches paired with the bright pop of cherry tomatoes creates this vibrant flavor combo that just sings in every bite. Toss in the creamy mozzarella and burrata, then drizzle everything with that nutty, herby brown butter, and you’ve got yourself something truly special.

What I love most is how this recipe works perfectly as a light lunch or an impressive side at a dinner party. It’s fresh, simple, and totally foolproof once you get the hang of browning butter (which I promise you’ll nail!). If you’ve been searching for a twist on the classic Caprese, this Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe is definitely worth trying — it brings that extra wow factor without any fuss.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Balanced Sweet and Savory: Peaches and tomatoes bring natural sweetness that balances perfectly with salty cheese.
  • Herbed Brown Butter: Adds a rich, aromatic depth that elevates this simple dish to a showstopper.
  • Fast and Fresh: Ready in about 25 minutes with mostly hands-off cooking, making it great for last-minute entertaining.
  • Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Works perfectly as a starter, side dish, or even a light main course for summer meals.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe plays a key role in flavor and texture. I always recommend choosing the freshest peaches and tomatoes you can find — it makes all the difference! Let’s break down why they all come together so well.

  • Cherry tomatoes: Their natural sweetness and juiciness are the perfect base; halving them helps them roast evenly and burst with flavor.
  • Peaches: Fresh, ripe peaches add a luscious sweetness and juicy texture that contrasts beautifully with the cheese.
  • Olive oil or butter: Either works for roasting; I personally love the extra flavor butter provides, but olive oil keeps it light.
  • Honey: Just a touch to amplify the natural sweetness of the fruit and balance the acidity.
  • Fresh thyme leaves: Their earthy, slightly minty notes complement both fruit and cheese elegantly.
  • Salt, black pepper, chili flakes: Essential seasonings that enhance every ingredient and add subtle heat.
  • Burrata cheese: Soft and creamy with a mild flavor, it melts beautifully with the warm fruit and butter.
  • Fresh mozzarella: Adds a firmer, milky texture to contrast the burrata and fruit.
  • Fresh basil: Bright and aromatic, it gives that classic Caprese freshness.
  • Salted butter: The star of the herbed brown butter — browning it unlocks rich nutty flavors.
  • Shallot: Adds a subtle sharpness that mellows in the brown butter for complexity.
  • Fresh rosemary and thyme: Herbs that infuse the brown butter with savory notes.
  • Peach or white balsamic vinegar: A splash brings acid balance and ties the brown butter flavors together elegantly.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of my favorite things about the Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe is how easy it is to play around with the flavor. I often adjust the herb mix or try different cheeses depending on what’s sitting in my fridge — feel free to do the same and make it your own.

  • Variation: I once swapped out fresh thyme for oregano and it gave the dish a slightly more Mediterranean vibe — still delicious!
  • Dairy-free version: Try using a plant-based mozzarella or creamy nut cheese for a friendly alternative that goes great with the warm brown butter.
  • Spice it up: If you like heat, don’t be shy with chili flakes — they add a wonderful kick that contrasts nicely with the sweetness.
  • Seasonal swap: When peaches aren’t in season, ripe nectarines or even figs make tasty stand-ins for that fruity sweetness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe

Step 1: Roast the Tomatoes and Peaches

Start by heating your oven to 450°F — high heat is key for caramelizing those peaches and tomatoes. Toss half of the cherry tomatoes and peach wedges into a baking dish with olive oil or butter, honey, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme leaves. Spread them in a single layer so everything roasts evenly. After about 15 minutes, you’ll see the tomatoes burst and start to caramelize, and the peaches soften and sweeten — it’s the moment when the flavors get real.

Step 2: Make the Herbed Brown Butter

While your fruit roasts, melt the salted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Watch carefully as it foams and then slowly browns — you’re looking for a golden color and a nutty aroma, around 5 minutes. Once browned, pull off the heat and quickly stir in chopped shallots, rosemary, and thyme so they sizzle gently. Then whisk in the peach or white balsamic vinegar, a pinch of salt, pepper, and chili flakes. This is where the butter turns into pure magic and infuses the whole dish.

Step 3: Assemble the Caprese

Place your fresh burrata and mozzarella in a shallow salad bowl or platter. Spoon the warm roasted tomatoes and peaches over the cheeses, making sure to drizzle all those lovely juices from the baking dish. Scatter the remaining fresh cherry tomatoes around for extra color and freshness. Then, pour that fragrant brown butter sauce generously over everything and finish with a handful of fresh basil leaves. Serve while warm, ideally with toasted bread to mop up every last drop.

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Pro Tips for Making Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe

  • Watch the Butter Carefully: Butter can go from browned to burnt in seconds — remove it from heat as soon as it turns golden and smells nutty.
  • Use Room Temperature Cheese: This helps the burrata and mozzarella soften and meld with the warm fruit beautifully without melting too much.
  • Don’t Skip the Fresh Basil: It adds freshness and balances the richness of the brown butter perfectly.
  • Spoon Juices Back On: Make sure to drizzle the roasted tomato and peach juices over the cheese — that’s where much of the flavor lives.

How to Serve Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe

A round white bowl filled with a creamy white base, topped with bright yellow peach slices that have a reddish center, and small red and orange cherry tomatoes scattered all over. Fresh green leaves and herbs are garnished on top, adding a pop of color. A gold spoon and fork rest on the left side of the bowl, and a piece of crusty brown bread sits above the bowl on a wooden board. The background is a white marbled surface with some green leaves in a small glass visible on the left side. The light is natural, casting soft shadows and giving a fresh, warm feeling photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to finish this Caprese with a few extra torn basil leaves and a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving — it brightens everything up and adds a little texture. Sometimes I add a handful of toasted pine nuts or chopped pistachios for crunch, which pairs nicely with the brown butter too.

Side Dishes

This tomato peach Caprese is fantastic alongside crusty bread or grilled baguette slices to soak up all the juicy goodness. I’ve also paired it with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or even grilled chicken for a satisfying meal without overshadowing the Caprese’s delicate flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve layered the ingredients vertically in a clear glass trifle bowl so the colors shine through — it gets a lot of compliments! Another fun idea is serving individual portions in small glass jars or mini terrines for a casual outdoor gathering. Trust me, presentation matters and this dish is gorgeous no matter how you plate it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house), store them covered in the fridge in an airtight container. The flavors do deepen overnight, though the cheese texture softens a bit. I recommend eating leftovers within 1-2 days for the best taste and texture.

Freezing

This Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe isn’t ideal for freezing because the fresh cheeses and roasted fruit lose their texture. I’d skip freezing and instead focus on making it fresh when you’re craving something bright and flavorful.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave just until warm — you don’t want to melt the cheeses too much, but enough to bring back that cozy buttery aroma. Adding a little fresh basil after warming revives the fresh flavor nicely.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes in this recipe?

    Absolutely! If using larger tomatoes, like plum or vine tomatoes, just slice them into bite-sized pieces so they roast evenly and burst like cherry tomatoes do. The key is to have similar-sized pieces to roast properly and release those juicy flavors.

  2. What can I substitute for burrata if I can’t find it?

    Fresh mozzarella is a good substitute, though it lacks burrata’s creamy center. You could also try ricotta or a soft goat cheese for a different but delicious creamy texture.

  3. How do I know when the butter is properly browned for this recipe?

    Browning butter means melting it until the solids turn golden brown and you smell a nutty aroma. Watch it closely and swirl the pan often — once it’s golden with tiny brown flecks and smells toasty, remove from heat to prevent burning.

  4. Can I prepare the roasted fruit in advance?

    Yes, you can roast the tomatoes and peaches a few hours ahead and keep them covered at room temperature. Just rewarm slightly before assembling to bring back some warmth and meld the flavors.

  5. Is this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet?

    Definitely! The Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe itself is naturally gluten-free. Just serve it with gluten-free bread or crackers if you’re pairing it with something to soak up the juices.

Final Thoughts

This Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites when I want something quick, beautiful, and bursting with flavor. It feels fancy but is so simple, and every time I make it, friends ask for the recipe. I hope you give it a try soon — it’s a little celebration on a plate that I know you’ll enjoy as much as I do.

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Tomato Peach Caprese with Brown Butter Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 34 reviews
  • Author: Sarah
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A vibrant and seasonal Tomato Peach Caprese salad featuring roasted cherry tomatoes and peaches, creamy burrata and fresh mozzarella, enhanced with a fragrant herbed brown butter sauce. This elegant dish balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, perfect for a refreshing appetizer or light meal.


Ingredients

Roasted Tomato and Peach Salad

  • 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved if large
  • 2-3 peaches, sliced into wedges
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Chili flakes to taste
  • 8 ounces burrata cheese, at room temperature
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, at room temperature
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves

Herbed Brown Butter Sauce

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/4 cup peach or white balsamic vinegar


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Set the oven to 450°F to prepare for roasting the tomatoes and peaches.
  2. Roast fruits: In a baking dish, toss half the cherry tomatoes and peach wedges with olive oil or butter, honey, salt, pepper, and thyme. Roast in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the tomatoes begin to burst and the fruit softens.
  3. Prepare brown butter sauce: While the fruit roasts, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes until it turns golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and immediately stir in chopped shallot, rosemary, and thyme, allowing the shallots to sizzle briefly in the residual heat. Whisk in the peach or white balsamic vinegar, and season with salt, black pepper, and chili flakes to taste.
  4. Assemble salad: Arrange the burrata and fresh mozzarella in a shallow salad bowl. Spoon the roasted tomatoes, peaches, and their juices over the cheese. Add the remaining fresh cherry tomatoes on top. Drizzle the herbed brown butter evenly over the dish and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
  5. Serve: Serve the Tomato Peach Caprese warm alongside toasted bread for a delightful appetizer or light meal.

Notes

  • Use ripe peaches for maximum sweetness and flavor.
  • If fresh herbs are unavailable, dried may be used but reduce quantities by half.
  • Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between warm roasted fruit and cool cheese.
  • To make it vegan, substitute butter with plant-based margarine and use vegan cheese alternatives.
  • Add a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for extra texture and nutty flavor.
  • Adjust honey and vinegar amounts based on your preferred balance of sweetness and acidity.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 8 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg

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