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    Category Home » Appetizers » Marinated Feta with Lemon and Olive Oil

    Marinated Feta with Lemon and Olive Oil

    Published: Mar 2, 2018 · Modified: Mar 12, 2023 by Leigh Anderson · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Marinating feta with lemon and olive oil is one of my favorite ways to upgrade an already delicious cheese! Serve this garlicky, lemony marinated cheese with grilled bread or toasted baguette for the perfect easy appetizer!

    A bowl of marinated feta cheese with olive oil, garlic, shallot and green onion

    Marinated feta is the perfect elegant appetizer to step up your dinner party game! It’s great all on its own or as an addition to a charcuterie and cheese board. For the best flavor, you’ll want to serve marinated feta warm or room temperature. It’s great alongside grilled bread, homemade crostini or even crudités.

    If you want to prep this recipe in advance you can totally do that. Store the prepared marinated feta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The olive oil will solidify so be sure to take it out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you plan to serve it.

    If you’re already on a feta kick make sure to check Whipped Feta Dip with Garlic, Herbs and Jalapeño.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Here’s what you need to make this recipe: a block of feta cheese (don’t use pre-crumbled feta!), scallions, shallot, lemon, garlic, olive oil and crushed red pepper flakes.

    a small white dish of feta cheese, a bowl of sliced shallots, a bowl of sliced garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, lemon and scallion

    Recipe Steps

    This recipe couldn’t be easier to make! Simply warm the olive oil in a saute pan then add in the garlic, shallot, lemon zest and chili flakes. Bring to a low simmer, then after about 5 minutes add in the scallions and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.

    Let the oil cool slightly before you pour it over the feta. It’s ok if the oil is still a bit warm but you don’t want it so hot that it melts the cheese. Serve with grilled bread or crostini.

    A table with multiple drinks and appetizers
    Why yes, that is an Aperol Spritz, (one of my all-time favorite cocktails!) featured in this photo alongside marinated feta and olives. Click here for the recipe!

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    Can I use a different cheese instead of feta?

    Yes! You could use goat cheese for this recipe or even fresh mozzarella balls aka bocconcini. 

    Can marinated feta be prepped ahead of time?

    Yes! Marinated feta will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week. Just be sure to remove it from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the oil and cheese to come up to room temperature.

    Check out more great recipes:

    • Whole Roasted Eggplant with Garlic Tahini
    • Farro Salad with Fennel, Feta and Crushed Olives
    • Whipped Feta Dip with Garlic, Herbs, and Jalapeño
    • Garlicky Labneh Tahini Dip
    • One-Pot Chicken with Orzo, Lemon and Feta

    I love to hear from readers and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest updates!

    A bowl of marinated feta cheese with olive oil, garlic, shallot and green onion

    Marinated Feta with Lemon and Olive Oil

    Serve this garlicky, lemony marinated cheese with grilled bread or toasted baguette for the perfect easy appetizer
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 452kcal
    Author: Leigh Anderson

    Ingredients

    • 10 oz feta cheese broken into roughly 1-inch pieces
    • ¾ c high-quality olive oil
    • 1 shallot thinly sliced
    • 6 cloves garlic thinly sliced
    • 4 strips lemon zest removed with a vegetable peeler
    • 1 tsp freshly cracked pepper
    • 1 tsp crushed red pepper optional
    • 4 scallions thinly slices

    Instructions

    • Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, shallot, zest, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is pale golden and aromatic, about 5 minutes then add in the scallions and cook for another 5 minutes.
    • Turn off the heat. Let the oil cool for 10 minutes then pour it over the feta cheese. Serve warm or room temperature with grilled bread or a toasted baguette!

    Notes

     
    Ingredient Notes:
    • Feta Cheese: Make sure you use a block of feta rather than the pre-crumbled variety.  If you’d like to try a different cheese you could do goat or even small mozzarella balls (bocconcini).
     
    Make head instructions: 
    • If you want to prep this recipe in advance store the prepared marinated feta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The olive oil will solidify so be sure to take it out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you plan to serve it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 535mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 298IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 238mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Share a picture on Instagram and tag me: @Craving_California and use the hashtag: #CravingCalifornia!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah

      July 04, 2019 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      So good! I’m making this for the fourth of July!

      Reply
    2. Martha

      June 20, 2019 at 12:27 am

      I don’t really like feta, could I make this with goat cheese?

      Reply
    3. Anonymous

      June 20, 2019 at 12:26 am

      5 stars
      I’m don’t really like feta, do you think this would taste good with goat cheese?

      Reply
      • Leigh Hyatt Anderson

        June 20, 2019 at 1:28 am

        OMG yes! So yummy!

        Reply
    4. Martha

      June 20, 2019 at 12:25 am

      5 stars
      My husband made this for a dinner party last night and everyone loved it!

      Reply

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    I'm so glad you're here. My name is Leigh and this is my food blog where I share California inspired recipes and tons of tips and tricks for better home cooking!

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