A delicious holiday appetizer that comes together in only 5 minutes? Sign me up! This 5-Minute Marinated Feta is a simple and delicious way to enjoy feta cheese with pita chips, crackers, as part of a charcuterie board, or even on a salad! Simply add your feta, along with a few key ingredients, to a large jar and you’ll have the perfect marinated feta ready in minutes!
Friends, as the holiday season is in full-swing, I find myself spending HOURS looking for the perfect holiday party appetizer recipes. From my Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread, to my Parmesan Crusted Delicata Squash, to even my Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Tahini Dressing, the key to the perfect holiday appetizer recipe is something that is hearty, warm, and delicious. After all, the holidays are all about indulgence!
But while some holiday recipes can be a little more complex, I wanted to offer you a holiday appetizer recipe that is not only healthy and delicious, but also so simple and easy that anybody can throw it together! Some recipes claim to be “5-minute” recipes but actually take more like 30 minutes, but this is not one of these recipe. The best part is, this recipe can easily be prepped several days in advance. In fact, the longer it “sits” and the flavors marinate, the better it is!
And this marinated feta isn’t just limited to appetizers. I love adding this feta to homemade greek salads, to baked fish, or even to your favorite chicken recipes!
8 Ingredients to The Best Marinated Feta Recipe
Curious as to what you need to make this homemade feta recipe? All you need are 8 simple ingredients to bring it to life!
- Feta Cheese: Of course, you need feta cheese to make this recipe! I recommend using authentic Greek feta, and make sure that you use a feta brick, not crumbled feta.
- Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon adds the perfect balance of acidity, and adds a delicious tang to this feta cheese!
- Green Onion: Sliced green onions are delicious, and also add texture to this Marinated Feta!
- Garlic Cloves: I highly recommend using fresh garlic cloves in this recipe. Why? The flavor is simply so much better! But see note below.*
- Fresh Thyme: Just like I recommend using fresh garlic in this recipe, I also recommend using fresh thyme.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Red Pepper Flakes add the perfect amount of a spicy kick to keep this Marinated Feta exciting!
- Olive Oil: The key to making this Marinated Feta shine is using a high-quality olive oil.
- Black Pepper: A touch of black pepper adds the perfect flavor to this dish!
A Note About Using Fresh Garlic in This Recipe
Because we are using both fresh garlic and olive oil in this recipe, it’s essential to make sure that it’s prepared the right way, in order to avoid botulism. So, while this recipe does marinate with time, it’s best that this recipe is served within a few hours of making it, to ensure the safest result!
However, if you do want to prepare it ahead of time, that is no problem. Simply store it in the refrigerator as soon as it’s done, at 40 F or lower, for no more than one week.
How to Make This Simple & Easy Marinated Feta
To make this Marinated Feta recipe, start by chopping your feta into equal-sized cubes. Toss the cubes into a large mason jar.
Next, chop your green onions and garlic cloves, and add them to the jar along with slices of fresh lemon, sprigs of thyme, and red pepper flakes.
Squeeze the juice of half of a lemon on top of the feta mixture. Then, finally, fill the jar to the top with olive oil and top off with a few cracks of black pepper.
Once done, place the lid on the jar and place it in the fridge to marinate overnight. Once done, remove it from the fridge, serve with crackers, pita chips, or your recipe of choice, and enjoy! Store any leftovers back in the fridge for up to one week.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! And, since I practically live on Instagram, be sure to tag me in your creations so that I can repost them! xx
** Photography by Gayle McLeod
Ingredients
- 1 Block Feta Cheese , in brine; I recommend using a block of Greek feta cheese!
- 2 Lemons, one cut into slices, and the other cut in half to squeeze over the top of the Marinated Feta
- 4 Green Onions, sliced thin
- 3 Garlic Cloves, mashed
- 4 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
- 1 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- ¾ Cup – 1 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Start by chopping your feta into equal-sized cubes. Toss the cubes into a large mason jar.
- Next, chop your green onions and garlic cloves, and add them to the jar along with slices of fresh lemon, sprigs of thyme, and red pepper flakes.
- Squeeze the juice of half of a lemon on top of the feta mixture.
- Then, finally, fill the jar to the top with olive oil and top off with a few cracks of black pepper.
- Once done, place the lid on the jar and place it in the fridge to marinate overnight.
- Then, remove it from the fridge, serve with crackers, pita chips, or your recipe of choice, and enjoy!
- Store any leftovers back in the fridge for up to one week.
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
I made this recipe. Got feta cheese at Trader Joe’s. It was SO good. My husband does keto diet and this was a really nice appetizer with almond cheese thin crackers. We ate it all in just one dinner (his friend was scraping the jar lol). Amazing. I got your book and I am looking forward to making much more recipes. Good job Nicole.
These were so easy and delicious! I skewered them with Greek salad mixture and they were a total hit! New go to appy for sure! 😍
I made this many times – great for appetizers, game day, snack or a great homemade gift to someone who loves feta.
What a wonderful gift to give someone, Agnes! Thank you so much for your review!
How many ounces of feta total? I’m only able to find “chunks” and no “bricks”. The chunks come in varying ounces.
When I put this in the fridge, it solidified and got cloudy. Any advice for reliving it to serve?
When I put this in the fridge, it solidified and got cloudy. Any advice for reviving it to serve?