Noreen's Kitchen

Keeping with our current Mediterranean theme, we are going to share this super simple recipe for marinated feta cheese, which is a lovely addition to a Mezza or Mediterranean appetizer platter that is a great option for a light lunch or supper and full of delicious bites that can be shared with a group of people.  This marinated feta is delicious and versatile.  You can snack on it as it or add to your salad, your wrap sandwich or as a wonderful accompaniment to your Gyro, Souvlaki or Schwarma.  Full of flavor and spice, this creamy, marinated cheese is sure to please!
I have started off with some solid blocks of feta cheese and I recommend that this is where you start as well.  You get a much fresher result, and you can cut the cubes into the size you like.  I have use 12 ounces, mostly because I had one half of an open container and also cut up a full block.  This will be easy for us to use up, so I am not worried.  The goal here is to flavor and then submerge the cheese cubes in good quality olive oil.  These do not take much longer than a day to marinate but the longer they sit the better and more flavorful they get.  I cut my cubes about ½ inch in size.

Next, we will make a dressing of sorts.  Using the juice and zest of one lemon then adding fresh chopped garlic, parsley, either dried or fresh, red pepper flakes and smoked paprika which will add a heat factor here.  You can adjust the levels to suit your taste or leave them out if you prefer.  I also added some Greek seasoning as well as some peppercorns and course grind black pepper.  The truth is that you can add what you like.  Fresh rosemary and thyme would be great here as well as a fresh chili pepper, pierced to add flavor.  Some bay leaf would be nice too if you like.

Mix up the seasonings with the lemon juice, garlic and zest and add a splash of olive oil.  You don’t have to be too specific here.  A couple tablespoons will do the trick and its just to get everything coated and on the way to marination.  Once you have the “dressing” mixed up add the cubed feta to the bowl and gently toss to coat.  Being sure to coat all the cubes evenly.  Once this is done transfer the cheese to a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid.

Once the cheese is in it’s final resting place, pour over some good quality olive oil of your choice.  You can use extra virgin or light, whatever you prefer.  Be sure to pour over enough oil to submerge the cheese so nothing dries out and everything gets even marination.  Now you will want to seal this up and put it in your fridge for at least four hours before serving but overnight is best and honestly you can keep this in your fridge for ten days or longer as long as the cheese is kept under the oil.   The cheese will eventually begin to break down, but that is the nature of the feta, so be sure to make what you will use in that period.

Marinated feta is great on that Mezza platter I mentioned but equally at home in a salad, on a pita or just by itself for snacking.  I think you will find that the flavors are delicious together and everything compliments the creamy cheese and the oil flavors everything so well.  Speaking of the oil, don’t throw that out!  You have delicious, flavored oil that can be used as a base for a Greek style vinaigrette dressing, marinade or just drizzled over fresh sliced tomatoes or freshly grilled chicken, pork, lamb or beef.  I think you will find a lot of versatility here.

I hope you give this marinated feta cheese a try sometime soon and I hope you love it!

Happy Eating!!

1 Cup good quality mayonnaise
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1. ​​Review and Print Recipe Here!!

mediterranean marinated feta

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Meet Noreen!

Hi!  I'm Noreen, wife, mother of two amazing, almost grown, daughters, content creator, cook, baker and sister in Christ. Welcome to my Kitchen!   I hope you stick around, enjoy the recipes and share them with those you love!