Deliciously Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer: Your Go-To Recipe for Parties and Holidays
Searching for that perfect appetizer that’s as simple to prepare as it is stunning to present? Look no further! This marinated cheese appetizer is a true crowd-pleaser, combining your favorite cheeses with an irresistible medley of olives, roasted red peppers, fresh herbs, and a tangy balsamic dressing. It’s effortless to assemble, bursting with flavor, and guaranteed to be the star of any gathering, from casual potlucks to elegant holiday celebrations. Best of all, it requires just 15 minutes of active prep time and a little chill to let the flavors meld into pure perfection.
For years, this festive marinated cheese, often arranged in a beautiful “wreath” shape, has been a staple at my holiday parties and potlucks. Without fail, it always garners rave reviews and disappears quickly! Its charm lies not only in its vibrant appearance but also in the fantastic depth of flavor that develops as the cheese soaks up the aromatic marinade. While it shines brightly during the festive season, its versatility means you can easily adapt and enjoy this delightful appetizer year-round.
The beauty of this recipe is its minimal demand on your time and effort. With just your preferred cheeses and a handful of readily available ingredients for the topping, you can create an appetizer that looks incredibly gourmet but comes together in a flash. Imagine your guests delighting in each bite, returning for more of this exquisitely flavored cheese. This recipe proves that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something truly special.
Table of Contents
- How to Make This Marinated Cheese Appetizer
- Start with Your Favorite Cheese
- Mix a Topping of Olives, Herbs, and Aromatics
- Put It All Together and Chill
- Serving Tips and Suggestions
- Make It in Advance
- Customize Your Marinated Cheese
- More Holiday Appetizers
- Get the Recipe
How to Make This Marinated Cheese Appetizer
Creating this marinated cheese wreath is incredibly straightforward, delivering maximum appeal with minimal effort. You’ll only need a sharp knife, a cutting board, and about 15 minutes of hands-on time – plus some crucial chill time for the flavors to develop. Let’s get started on this easy, delicious journey, shall we?
Start with Your Favorite Cheese
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility: you can truly use any combination of cheeses you love! The key is to select cheeses that will hold their shape when sliced or cubed and will readily absorb the vibrant flavors of the marinade. While firmer cheeses are often easier to arrange in shapes like a wreath, softer varieties can also work with careful handling. Here are some excellent recommendations that absorb flavor wonderfully and offer great texture:
- Cheddar: A classic choice, offering a familiar sharp or mild flavor.
- Mozzarella: Provides a creamy, mild counterpoint, especially good for texture contrast.
- Monterey Jack: Similar to mozzarella in texture but with a slightly richer, buttery taste.
- Gouda: Known for its mild, nutty, and slightly sweet notes, and a firm texture.
- Gruyere: A robust, savory cheese with a distinctive flavor that pairs beautifully with the Mediterranean marinade.
- Goat Cheese: For a tangier, softer option, consider rolling it into small balls or crumbling it over firmer cheeses.
- Cream Cheese: Can be used as a spreadable base layer or mixed with herbs for an added dimension.
For the appetizer pictured in this post, I used a delightful combination of sharp cheddar and creamy mozzarella cheese, cut into bite-sized slices and cubes. This blend offers both flavor complexity and textural variety. If you opt for softer cheeses, you might need to slice them more carefully or consider serving them as whole rounds with the marinade poured over, allowing guests to scoop up servings. While this won’t create the traditional “wreath” shape, it will still be incredibly delicious!
Mix a Topping of Olives, Herbs, and Aromatics
While the cheese forms the comforting base, it’s truly the vibrant, zesty marinade topping that elevates this dish into something extraordinary. This flavorful mixture infuses the cheese with bright, savory, and tangy notes, transforming it into an unforgettable appetizer. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious blend:
- Olive Oil: A high-quality extra virgin olive oil forms the rich base of our marinade, carrying and enhancing all the other flavors.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a delightful sweet and tangy acidity that cuts through the richness of the cheese and brightens the overall profile.
- Olives: I particularly love a mix of briny Kalamata olives and the milder, pimento-stuffed green olives. Their varied textures and salty notes are indispensable.
- Roasted Red Peppers: These bring a wonderful smoky sweetness and a pop of color, complementing the savory elements beautifully.
- Scallions/Green Onions: Provide a mild, fresh onion flavor and a subtle crunch without overpowering the dish.
- Minced Garlic: The backbone of many savory dishes, fresh minced garlic adds an aromatic depth that permeates the cheese.
- Fresh Parsley: Offers a clean, herbaceous freshness and a touch of vibrant green.
- Fresh Basil: Contributes a sweet, peppery, and aromatic note that pairs wonderfully with cheese and balsamic.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing all the flavors, bringing everything into perfect harmony.
The combination of these ingredients creates a marinade that’s not just a topping, but a flavor infusion. Each bite of cheese will be coated in this aromatic mixture, offering a complex taste sensation that keeps guests coming back for more.
Put It All Together and Chill
Once your ingredients are prepped, assembling this appetizer is a breeze. The final step, chilling, is crucial as it allows the cheeses to fully absorb the incredible flavors of the marinade, transforming a simple platter into a gourmet experience. Don’t rush this part – patience truly pays off!
- Arrange the Cheese: Begin by carefully placing your chosen cheese slices or cubes on a round serving platter. To create a beautiful, festive wreath shape, arrange them in a circular pattern, overlapping slightly if needed. If a wreath isn’t your goal, feel free to get creative and arrange them in any desired pattern on your platter. The visual presentation sets the stage for this delicious dish!
- Spoon on the Topping: Once your cheese is artfully arranged, use a spoon to generously portion the mixed olive, herb, and aromatic topping evenly over all the cheese. Ensure every piece of cheese gets a good coating, as this is where all the wonderful marinating magic happens.
- Cover and Chill: This is arguably the most important step for flavor development. Tightly cover the entire platter with plastic wrap to prevent the cheese from drying out and to encourage optimal flavor absorption. Transfer it to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 1 hour. While waiting is always the hardest part when a delicious treat is involved, this chill time makes a significant difference, allowing the marinade to deeply infuse the cheese and creating a far superior flavor profile. You can chill it for up to 24 hours for even deeper flavor.
Serving Tips and Suggestions
Presenting your marinated cheese appetizer is almost as fun as making it! The key is to make it easy for guests to enjoy. Serve your perfectly marinated cheese with a variety of accompaniments that complement its rich and tangy flavors. Classic choices include crisp crackers, slices of rustic bread, or elegant toasted baguette rounds (crostini). The crunchy textures provide a wonderful contrast to the tender, marinated cheese.
From my experience, I’ve found it’s best to slice the cheese relatively small – perhaps even smaller than they appear in some of these photos. This ensures that each piece can be easily scooped up with a small spoon or cocktail fork, making for a more enjoyable and mess-free experience for your guests.
Other Presentation and Serving Ideas: The wreath shape is undoubtedly festive and fun, particularly for holiday gatherings. However, you are absolutely not limited to it! This appetizer looks equally stunning when you simply layer the cheese and toppings onto any decorative serving platter. For even more holiday cheer, consider assembling it in a specially shaped dish or on a themed charcuterie board. Imagine it beautifully arranged on a Christmas tree-shaped platter or a whimsical candy cane board. Beyond crackers and bread, you could also offer fresh vegetable sticks like cucumber or bell pepper for a lighter option, or even some apple slices for a sweet and savory pairing.
Make It in Advance
One of the many advantages of this marinated cheese appetizer is its fantastic make-ahead potential, making it a perfect choice for stress-free entertaining. The flavors actually deepen and meld beautifully over time, giving you a superior tasting dish.
This marinated cheese wreath appetizer will keep very well in the refrigerator for up to about 24 hours once fully assembled. While it’s perfectly fine to serve it the next day, I personally recommend assembling and serving it on the same day if possible, as the cheese tends to look its freshest and most vibrant. If you need to prep even further in advance, you have options! You can slice all your cheeses and mix the marinade topping up to 2 days before your event. Store the cheese in an airtight container and the topping separately in another, both in the refrigerator. Then, a few hours before you plan to serve, simply arrange the cheese, spoon over the topping, and allow it to chill for the recommended time. This strategy ensures maximum freshness and flavor without last-minute stress.
Customize Your Marinated Cheese
This recipe is incredibly adaptable, inviting you to experiment and make it truly your own! Don’t hesitate to swap out ingredients or add new ones based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Herb Variations: While basil and parsley are fantastic, consider adding or substituting other fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, or chives for different flavor profiles. A mix of Italian herbs can also be wonderful.
- Spice It Up: For a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be stirred into the marinade.
- Add More Veggies: Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed and drained), finely diced bell peppers, or even marinated artichoke hearts (chopped) can add extra flavor and texture.
- Different Vinegars: While balsamic is classic, a red wine vinegar or even a lemon-infused olive oil could offer a different, refreshing twist.
- Nutty Crunch: Toasted pine nuts, chopped pistachios, or slivered almonds could add a delightful crunch and richness to the topping. Add them just before serving to maintain their crispness.
- Citrus Zest: A little lemon or orange zest can brighten the entire dish with a fragrant, zesty note.
Feel free to play around with different cheese combinations as well. A blend of three cheeses often provides the most interesting texture and flavor dynamics. Whether you prefer mild or sharp, creamy or firm, this marinated cheese appetizer is a canvas for your culinary creativity!
More Holiday Appetizers
If you’re looking to round out your holiday spread or need more crowd-pleasing starters, here are a few other fantastic appetizer ideas that are perfect for any festive occasion:
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Marinated Cheese Appetizer
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs assorted cheeses , in bite-sized slices or cubes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup jarred roasted red peppers , chopped
- ¼ cup olives (such as kalamata or green olives) , chopped
- 3 green onions , chopped
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- Crackers or toast , for serving
Equipment
Instructions
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Arrange your chosen cheese, sliced or cubed, in a decorative ring on a large round platter to form a wreath shape. Alternatively, you can arrange them as desired on any serving platter if you prefer a different presentation.
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In a separate bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped roasted red peppers, chopped olives, green onions, minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh basil, coarse salt, and ground pepper. Mix thoroughly to create the flavorful topping. Spoon this topping generously and evenly over the arranged cheese slices.
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Cover the platter tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour. This crucial step allows the cheese to absorb the marinade’s flavors. Serve chilled with toasted bread, an assortment of crackers, or your preferred accompaniments.
Video
Notes
- You have a wide variety of cheese options for this recipe, including cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Gouda, Gruyere, goat cheese, or cream cheese. Feel free to use whatever cheese or combination of cheeses you love most!
- I typically prefer using slices or cubes of harder cheeses to easily form the wreath shape. However, if using softer cheeses, you can slice them carefully or even serve them whole with the marinade spooned over (though this won’t achieve the wreath shape). For the photos in this post, cheddar and mozzarella were used.
- This appetizer keeps very well in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours once assembled. For the freshest appearance, I recommend serving it the same day you put it together. If you need to prep further in advance, you can slice the cheese and mix the topping up to 2 days prior, then assemble everything a few hours before serving.
Disclosure: This recipe was originally published in December 2016, and was sponsored by Cache Valley Cheese. This updated post provides expanded content and updated photography for a richer reader experience.