Marinated feta takes only 5 minutes to make and is the perfect appetizer. You can make it ahead of time and enjoy it later. Cubes of creamy feta are coated with olive oil, spices, herbs and lemon peel, making this the ultimate Mediterranean snack!

 

Nothing beats a good feta cheese – creamy, rich and firm, this humble cheese can be used in many different recipes. You can make baked feta, use it in salads such as Greek salad, turn it into whipped feta or tirokafteri (Greek spicy feta dip) or even add it to rice dishes such as spanakopita. One of my favorite ways to use feta is to marinate it with olive oil, herbs and spices. This is a quick recipe that takes only 5 minutes to make.

What is feta and where is it from?

Feta is originally from Greece and is commonly used in Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Bulgaria, Turkey, and the Balkans, among other places. It’s semi-hard and made of sheep’s milk, or sometimes a mixture of sheep and goat milk. This cheese is usually made into large blocks and ages in brine.

The term “feta” is sometimes used for other white cheese made with cow’s milk as well. However, keep in mind that real feta is made with only sheep’s milk, or a combination of sheep and goat milk. If made with cow’s milk, it’s white cheese and not feta – no matter what the packaging says!

Why you’ll love this recipe

It’s easy: Marinated feta is so easy to make. All you need to do is slice the feta, fill a jar with feta, olive oil, herbs and spices and let it marinate!

Quick recipe: Ready in 5 minutes, this recipe is perfect for days that you’re short on time but still want to make something nice. You can also make it in advance and serve it when you’re ready.

Everyone loves it: Marinated feta is such a show-stopper. You can customize the marinade to your liking and serve it in many different ways, for example with fresh-baked Turkish bread.

How to choose good feta

Quality feta has a creamy texture, and should taste slightly salty, tangy and should be aromatic.

When shopping for feta, I recommend visiting Middle Eastern or Mediterranean stores and look for blocks of feta stored in brine. Here are a few tips to get choose the right feta:

1. Look at the color: If you’re able to take a look at the feta before you purchase it, make sure to do so. It should be white and not yellow. If the cheese is yellow, it means that it’s been exposed to air and the flavors have changed.
2. Check out the ingredients: Quality feta is made with sheep’s milk or a combination of sheep and goat’s milk.
3. Brine: The cheese should be in brine and you need to keep it in the brine for it to stay fresh.

Ingredients 

• Feta cheese: First and foremost, you need quality feta in brine. It comes in the form of a block and you can cut it into cubes. I usually opt for Greek feta, however if that’s not available, Bulgarian white cheese would work as well.
• Garlic: A couple cloves of garlic, sliced and added to the marinade will elevate the flavor.
• Tarragon: This herb adds a lot of flavor and aroma to the feta. You can also use dried tarragon. It’s also possible to use other herbs such as rosemary, thyme or oregano.
• Olive oil: Quality extra virgin olive oil works best for this recipe.
• Lemon: You only need the lemon peel.
• Pepper: I used peppercorn and Aleppo pepper. However, you can use only one of them or use chili flakes instead of Aleppo pepper.
• Black cumin: This is optional but adds a lot of flavor. It cannot be replaced with regular cumin.

How to make marinated feta

1. Cut the creamy feta cheese into cubes and place them in a clean mason jar.
2. Add the garlic slices, tarragon, peppercorn, Aleppo pepper, lemon peels and black sesame seeds.
3. Fill the jar with olive oil to the top. Make sure all the feta cubes are submerged in olive oil.
4. Seal the jar and marinate for at least 8 hours up to 1 day.
5. To serve, take the jar out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.

Variations

Here are a few ideas to try if you’re making marinated feta:

• Use chili pepper or jalapenos if you want it to be a bit spicy.
• Add fresh rosemary, thyme or oregano instead of tarragon.
• For a slight hint of sweetness, add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar to the marinade.

Serving suggestions

Marinated feta is an easy Mediterranean appetizer that you can serve on a mezze platter with some labneh, fried halloumi, saganaki, pita chips or pita bread. You can also use it on salads, with chicken or meatballs.

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