Marinated Feta Cheese with sun-dried tomatoes are preserved in a delicious olive oil and herb mixture, making it the perfect compliment to the tangy tomatoes. Use as an antipasto or on your charcuterie spread.
Why You'll Love This Marinated Feta Recipe
Marinated feta and sun dried tomatoes is an easy, yet tasty appetizer that can be whipped up in minutes. The marinade takes advantage of the natural pairing of salty feta cheese and tangy tomatoes, making this dish a perfect choice for any gathering.
- Easy to make: This recipe is incredibly simple to make and requires just a few ingredients. You can marinate the feta cheese for as little as 30 minutes, but it's even better if you let it marinate for a few hours or even overnight so that the flavors have a chance to meld together.
- Flavorful and versatile: The combination of feta cheese, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs creates a burst of flavor that can be enjoyed in many different ways. You can add the marinated feta to salads, pasta dishes, sandwiches, or even just eat it plain with some crackers or bread.
- Exploding flavors: The combination of tangy feta, savory garlic, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes creates an explosion of zesty flavors. The feta provides a creamy and salty base, while the garlic adds a pungent and aromatic touch.
Ingredients Overview
Look for golden olive oil, not extra virgin green olive oil. Use a regular handheld cheese grater to larger zest pieces of the lemon peel.
Marinated Feta Cheese can be served either warm or cold, making it perfect for any occasion.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Marinate Feta Cheese
Start by preparing the jar or jars you will be storing the marinated feta and sun dried tomatoes in. Wash two 4 oz or one 8 oz Ball canning jar, mason jar, or bail jar in hot soapy water and set them to dry.
Infuse The Olive Oil
- Peel the garlic and slice them lengthwise in half.
- Add the garlic and herbs to a pan with the olive oil and infuse on a medium heat. Cooking the garlic and herbs will prevent them from molding or spoiling.
Cube The Feta Cheese
- Chop the block of feta cheese into chunk or cubes. Arrange the ingredients any way you like in the jar or jars.
- Only use sun dried tomatoes packed in oil for this recipe.
Combine All Ingredients
- Add the garlic & herb infused olive oil to cover the top of the cheese & ingredients in the jar(s).
- Seal with the lid and band. The flavors will become stronger if you let this sit for a day, but it is ready to enjoy now.
Serving Suggestions
Marinated feta with garlic and sun-dried tomatoes is an easy appetizer that will impress your guests. Serve with a variety of accompaniments, such as za'atar seasoning, olives, pita bread, or fresh tabbouleh salad.
Marinated feta and the sun dried tomatoes make for a great appetizer! Serve as on the side with Lamb Kofta Kebabs, falafel wraps, lahmacun, or simple pan seared lamb chops.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can make Marinated Feta & Kalamata olives by substituting the sun dried tomatoes for the olives.
- Use oil based Kalamata olives and the sun dried tomatoes though.
Tips for Success
- You can use your dishwasher on the hot setting to sanitize your Ball or mason canning jars.
Storage Options
- Store the jar or jars of marinated feta in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Do not store in the pantry.
Related Recipes
- Grilled Steak Salad with Feta
- Moroccan Shakshuka with Goat Cheese
- 3-Ingredient Bagels with Sun Dried Tomatoes
- Pistachio Baklava
- Puff Pastry Spanakopita
Frequently Asked Questions
2 - 3 months when it is unopened. As a marinated blend, store it in the refrigerator for 2 -3 weeks.
The chilies lend themselves to using dry easily. Dried rosemary and oregano will give the same flavor, but not the same appearance in the jar.
Yes, you can freeze the feta cheese in the block or crumbled form for up to three months.
Since feta cheese is made with the rennet process, no it does not melt. It become soft and creamy though. Feta is not vegetarian or vegan, as rennet is an animal product.
Yes, feta is considered a dairy product as it is made from cow's milk.
Pantry Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Marinated Feta
Equipment
- Storage Jars
Ingredients
- 8 oz feta cheese block
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 lemon, peel grated
- 2 red chilies (look for the long thin ones)
- 4 sprigs of fresh Oregano
- 2 sprigs of fresh Rosemary
- 1 cup olive oil
- 4 oz Sundried tomatoes (in oil)
- 1 tablespoon cracked black peppercorns
Instructions
- Sanitize two 4 oz or one 8 oz Ball canning jar. Make sure the threads are clean and the lids seal is not damaged. Set aside.
- Add the olive oil to a pan. Add the whole peeled garlic, rosemary and oregano sprigs, and the cracked peppercorns. Bring to a simmer then turn heat off and let infuse for 10 minutes.4 garlic cloves, 4 sprigs of fresh Oregano, 2 sprigs of fresh Rosemary, 1 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon cracked black peppercorns
- Cut the block of feta cheese into ½" to 1" cubes. Using a hand grater, not a zester, to grate the peel from one lemon. Cut the sundried tomatoes into ¼" to ½" slices.8 oz feta cheese block, 1 lemon, peel grated, 4 oz Sundried tomatoes (in oil)
- Arrange the feta cubes, lemon peel grated strips, chili peppers, and spoon the garlic, herbs, and peppercorns in the sanitized jar(s).2 red chilies
- Add the garlic & herb infused olive oil to cover the top of the cheese & ingredients in the jar(s). Seal with the lid and band.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- You can use your dishwasher on the hot setting to sanitize your Ball or mason canning jars. Wash with hot soapy water first, rinse, then run the jars through the hot wash and hot dry settings.
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