We love an easy appetizer recipe and Marinated Cheese is a unique recipe that guests go crazy for. It’s the perfect make ahead appetizer for a gathering of any size. Chunks of gouda, pepper jack, mozzarella, and cream cheese are layered in a dish and topped with an easy, herb and roasted red pepper filled vinaigrette.
Marinated Cheese Recipe
Chunks of soft-ish cheese are marinated in an aromatic mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, herbs, and roasted red pepper. The end result is a delicious marinated cheese with loads of flavor! The longer you marinate it, the more flavor it gets. You can see how I arranged the cheese below. I added slices of cream cheese about every 3-5 slices. To make cream cheese easier to cut, you can freeze the block (be sure to unwrap it) for about 30 minutes.
Pro Tip: I also like to top the finished product with some balsamic reduction for even more flavor and delicious, sticky texture.
What is the Best Cheese to use for Marinated Cheese?
You want to use a cheese which is easily sliceable, and semi soft for marinated cheese. The principle behind this is that you want a cheese that is soft enough to be infused with the marinade. A harder cheese, like parmesan for example, or cheese with a rind, like brie, won’t get infused with the flavors. Additionally, the acid in the vinegar will help semi-break down the exterior layer of the soft cheese, creating an almost spreadable cheese once the marinating process is complete. Yum!
Cheeses that Marinate Well:
- Gouda
- Cheddar
- Sharp Cheddar
- Goat Cheese
- Pepperjack
- Feta Cheese (block style
- Mozzarella
- Manchego
Cheese Marinade Ingredients
The base of the marinade is a simple mixture of olive oil and red wine vinegar. What really gives it the flavor, is the herby and savory additions we use to amp it up! Mix up the following ingredients into the olive oil and red wine vinegar. I like to finely chop everything that goes into the olive oil/vinegar mixture so the flavor disperses really well.
- Red onion
- Roasted red peppers
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh rosemary
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Granulated Garlic
There’s a ton of options to make this super flavorful. You could spice it up with chili flakes, make it sweet with honey, add in some roasted red peppers, use difference flavored olive oils, the choices are endless. Other options could also include green onions, pimentos, ginger, cilantro, and basil.
How Long to Marinate Cheese For?
After mixing the marinade, pour it over the cheese. I like to continue to spoon the liquid part of the marinade over the cheese. The chunkier parts will remain on top of the cheese. You can marinate the cheese for anywhere from 3 hours to 48 hours. The longer you marinate the cheese, the more flavorful it becomes. Bear in mind the longer marination time also yields a softer cheese (which I personally love!) so be sure that’s a texture that your palate is okay with!
Serving & Storing Marinated Cheese
When I served this, I placed it in smaller sections on a long rectangular dish. I also drizzled the final product with some balsamic glaze for a little added sweetness. Plus it makes it look pretty! I served this on a huge cheeseboard for a friends baby shower alongside some crackers, bread, and vegetables with dip.
You can store marinated cheese for up to 48 hours in the refrigerator, in a sealed container (or a dish with plastic wrap).
More Cheese Recipes
- Homemade Boursin
- Easy Ricotta Recipe
- Ham and Cheese Quiche
- Scones with Ham and Cheese
- Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
- Quick Cheese Bread
Enjoy and as always- if you have questions or comments about this recipe, just let us know!
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Marinated Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz block of pepper jack
- 1 8 oz block of Gouda
- 1 8 oz block of Cream Cheese
Marinade
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup diced roasted red peppers (plus 2 tbsp of juice from the jar)
- 3 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary
- 3 tbsp diced red onions
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Remove cream cheese from wrapper and place in freezer for 30 minutes beforehand (this helps make cutting easier).
- Mix together marinade ingredients. Whisk well to combine, and set aside.
- Cut each block of cheese length wise, then horizontally into 1/4 inch pieces. Remove cream cheese from freezer, and cut into similar sized slices.
- Arrange alternating cheese in a square dish. Set aside.
- Rewhisk marinade and pour over cheese. Spoon liquid over cheese continuously to disperse amongst entire dish.
- Refrigerate for minimum 3 hours, but a maximum of 48 hours before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Timothy Green says
An excellent recipe, easy to make, simple, thank you for sharing it with all of us.