Burrata Cheese vs Cream Cheese

Q: Is Burrata Cheese the same as Cream Cheese?

No. Burrata Cheese and Cream Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and United States respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Cream Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Burrata Cheese for Cream Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Cream Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Burrata Cheese

Cream Cheese

Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Cream Cheese is fresh soft, processed and made from cow milk, originating in United States.

What Is Burrata Cheese?

Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese from Puglia with a pouch of stretched mozzarella curd around a filling of stracciatella and cream. Cut it open and the soft centre spills out, which is what it is known for.

What Is Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is a soft, mild fresh cheese made from milk and cream, sold unripened rather than aged. It began in Chester, New York in the 1870s and is best known as the spread on a bagel.

What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Cream Cheese?

Origin: Burrata Cheese (Italy), Cream Cheese (United States)
Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Cream Cheese (cow's milk)
Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Cream Cheese (fresh soft, processed)
Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Cream Cheese (rindless)
Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Cream Cheese (unripened, eaten fresh)
Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Cream Cheese (creamy, mild, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Burrata Cheese	Cream Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	United States
Specific Origin	Andria, Apulia	Chester, New York, The U.S.
Milk Type	Cow, occasionally water buffalo	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	Pasteurized or unpasteurized
Texture	Soft, creamy	Fresh soft, processed
Rind	Thin	Rindless
Aging	Within 48 hours	Unripened, eaten fresh
Taste	Mild, lactic	Creamy, mild, sweet

Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Cream Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Cream Cheese brings creamy, mild, sweet character. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Cream Cheese at unripened, eaten fresh.

Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Cream Cheese?

Burrata Cheese can stand in for Cream Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for fresh soft, processed. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Cream Cheese brings creamy, mild, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Cream Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy cheese, go with Burrata Cheese. For a fresh soft, processed profile, Cream Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Cream Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy, mild, sweet.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burrata Cheese the same as Cream Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese originates in Italy, while Cream Cheese comes from United States. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Cream Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Cream Cheese unripened, eaten fresh.

Is Burrata Cheese similar to Cream Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Cream Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Burrata Cheese taste like Cream Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Cream Cheese is creamy, mild, sweet.

What is Burrata Cheese made of?

Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged within 48 hours. It originates in Italy.

What is Cream Cheese made of?

Cream Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using animal (chymosin, pepsin, rennet) in canada rennet. It's typically aged unripened, eaten fresh. It originates in United States.

Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Cream Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Cream Cheese is fresh soft, processed.