Marinated Cheese will be the star of any party. Two kinds of cheese are marinated with herbs and pimento peppers for a colorful and flavorful appetizer.
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Marinated Cheese recipe
Party appetizers can be really daunting, especially if there are much bigger, more complicated dishes on the menu.
An easy, make-ahead appetizer that you can whip up for any gathering is Marinated Cheese. It only takes 30 minutes to assemble, then it rests in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it. It may sound weird but it always gets rave reviews, I promise!
Marinated cheese is just what it sounds like: Two kinds of cheese that are rested in a simple marinade of herbs and peppers. Guests can scoop it onto crackers and bread.
I’ve been making this easy recipe for years and I know it’s one you are going to love making, too!
Why you’ll love this recipe
You may have marinated chicken, steak or veggies before, but have you ever marinated cheese? This recipe will surprise you!
- This appetizer is best made ahead, ideally a day before. Though it only takes 30 minutes to make, it tastes better the longer it marinates.
- Party guests love cheese, but this is a whole new way to present it and they will love it!
- It’s quick and easy and doesn’t require any cooking.
Marinated cheese is a great recipe for the holiday season, football games or any kind of party. It can really be enjoyed any time of year.
What is marinated cheese?
Marinated cheese is an easy appetizer made with alternating cuts of cheese that are soaked in an oil and vinegar marinade with herbs and pimento peppers.
While this presentation is a popular appetizer in America, marinated cheeses are beloved around the world.
Preserving cheese in olive oil is an ancient practice in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Today, it’s also popular in Australia and is gaining ground in the U.S. as well.
Ingredients
Marinated cheese requires quite a few ingredients to make the marinade. Here’s what to add to your shopping list:
- cream cheese (light or Neufchatel okay)
- sharp cheddar cheese
- extra virgin olive oil
- red wine vinegar (white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar works too)
- granulated sugar
- sea salt
- black pepper
- fresh basil
- fresh parsley
- green onions
- minced garlic
- jar of diced pimientos
And don’t forget to stock up on crackers or bread to serve with the finished product.
You’ll need a spreader or spoon too for people to scoop slices of the cheese onto their crackers.
Variations and substitutions
You can adjust this recipe as you need to! It works really well with other types of cheese.
Instead of cream cheese, use another soft cheese like goat cheese, buffalo mozzarella cheese or Boursin cheese. Or replace the sharp cheddar cheese with white cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese or mild cheddar.
You can also use other fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. If you need to use dried herbs, use ¾ tablespoon dried for every 3 tablespoons fresh.
Instead of pimentos, you can use diced pickled red peppers. You can also throw in some green olives for flavor or a smattering of red pepper flakes for spice.
How to make Marinated Cheese
Making marinated cheese is so easy! It seems complicated, but it really doesn’t require much skill.
First, freeze the cream cheese for 1 hour prior to slicing. This will make it easier to slice and handle.
Then get out a food processor. Add olive oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, basil, parsley, spring onion and garlic. Pulse together until combined and the herbs are roughly chopped.
Next, cut the cheddar cheese into ¼-inch square slices. Cut the cream cheese in half, then cut into ¼-inch slices.
Arrange the cheese slices in an alternating fashion in a shallow baking dish (or another dish with a lip to hold in the marinade). The cheeses will resemble dominoes.
Top the cheese with drained pimientos.
Then pour the marinade over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Serve with a spreader and crackers, bread or toasted baguettes.
What to serve with it
Serve Marinated Cheese with your favorite bread, like a sliced baguette, or your favorite crackers. You can even make homemade ones such as these sourdough crackers.
This delicious appetizer works well with other cheese appetizers like a cheese platter or a sweet baked brie.
These bruschetta pinwheels are always a hit at parties.
Something hearty like cocktail meatballs will go well with this appetizer.
A non-cheesy dip like Tuscan White Bean Dip is great for anyone who is dairy-free.
FAQ
No, marinated cheese is served cold along with the herb marinade it is rested in.
Yes! Place cheese cubes or mozzarella balls in a single layer in a dish with a lid, then top with the marinade. Toss to coat, then refrigerate for 8 hours.
Marinated cheese can be stored in an airtight, food-safe container for up to 2 weeks.
Once served, cheese should be left out at room temperature for no more than 2 hours.
More cheese appetizer recipes
Marinated Cheese
ingredients
- 12 ounces cream cheese
- 12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil about 20 leaves
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 3 spring onions white ends cut off, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 7 ounces diced pimientos drained
- crackers or bread for serving
instructions
- Freeze cream cheese for 1 hour prior to slicing.
- Add olive oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, basil, parsley, spring onion and garlic to a food processor. Pulse together until combined and the herbs are roughly chopped.
- Cut cheddar cheese into ¼-inch square slices. Cut cream cheese in half, then cut into ¼-inch slices.
- Arrange cheddar cheese and cream cheese in a baking dish to look like dominoes.
- Top the cheese with pimientos. Pour marinade over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Serve with a spreader and crackers or bread.
notes
Substitutions
Try it with other types of cheeses. Instead of cream cheese, use another soft cheese like goat cheese, buffalo mozzarella cheese or Boursin cheese. Or replace the sharp cheddar cheese with white cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese or mild cheddar. You can also use other fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. If you need to use dried herbs, use ¾ tablespoon dried for every 3 tablespoons fresh. Instead of pimentos, you can use diced pickled red peppers. You can also throw in some green olives for flavor or a smattering of red pepper flakes for spice.recommended products
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