Marinated cheese is the perfect party appetizer because it looks fancy, tastes bold, and requires almost no last-minute work. You mix a simple herb-forward marinade, slice the cheese, and let time do the heavy lifting in the refrigerator. The longer it rests, the better it tastes, which makes it ideal for prepping the day before a gathering.
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Why you should try this recipe
This Marinated Cheese appetizer feels indulgent, but it is super simple to throw together. Thereās no need for expensive ingredients, and it works for just about any kind of event, from a casual game day snack table to passed hors dāoeuvres at a cocktail party.
Since this appetizer requires a long marination, you can prepare it the day before to reduce stress on the day of your event. Even better, the flavors continue to improve as it sits, making it taste better the longer it rests. Set it out with crackers or sliced bread, and it delivers a big flavor with very little effort.
Ingredients and their roles
- Extra-virgin olive oil – gives the marinade a rich, somewhat fruity taste and carries the flavor of the seasonings.
- Vinegar (either white or apple cider vinegar is a good choice) – balances the richness of the cheese with a sharp tang.
- Fresh parsley, chopped – adds freshness and color.
- Green onions, chopped – lend a mild onion flavor that is less intense than that of a bulb onion.
- Garlic, finely minced – delivers an aromatic savoriness to the marinade.
- White granulated sugar helps create a sweet-and-sour element in the dish.
- Salt – enhances the flavor of all the other ingredients.
- Ground black pepper – supplies a subtle warmth and a slight bitterness.
- Red pepper flakes – adds restrained heat and color.
- Oil-packed sundried tomatoes, finely chopped – build on the sweet and tart elements of the dish and enhance the umami.
- Cheddar cheese, block – provides sharp, firm bites that stand up to the marinade.
- Cream cheese, block and chilled – lends a mildly tart creaminess to the dish.
How to make this Marinated Cheese recipe
To prepare the marinade for this dish:
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, vinegar, chopped parsley, chopped green onions, garlic, white granulated sugar, salt, ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, and finely chopped sundried tomatoes.
- Whisk together well, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until needed.
To assemble and marinate the cheese:
- Slice both blocks of cheese down the middle, the long way. The cream cheese needs to be very cold for it to slice well.
- Then slice both blocks of cheese the short-way into quarter-inch slices.
- Stand the pieces of cheese on their edge next to each other in a deep baking pan. Alternate the cheddar and cream cheese pieces. If you want to create a spiral pattern, use a deep pie dish instead of a baking dish.
- Pour the marinade over the cheese. Make sure the cheese slices are evenly covered.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 8 hours.
To serve:
- Remove the cheese from the fridge and let it come to room temperature. It will take about 30 minutes, so plan ahead.
What to serve with this Marinated Cheese recipe
Serve Marinated Cheese with crackers on the side and add another appetizer or two to give your guests some variety. The recipes below are great choices.
Crispy Jalapeno Poppers – Add a little spice to your snack table with these bite-sized apps. They start with cheddar cheese-stuffed jalapeno slices and then are coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Classic Deviled Eggs – These classic Southern apps are easy and inexpensive to make. Red onions, mustard, and mayo transform the yolks into a snack everyone knows and loves.
Dill Pickle Dip – Pickle aficionados won’t be able to get enough of this Dill Pickle Dip. It starts with a blend of cream cheese and sour cream, then adds chopped pickles, pickle juice, minced onions, and Worcestershire sauce, for a tangy kick. Serve with crackers.
How to store the leftovers
- Refrigerator Storage: Store any marinated cheese that was not served, covered tightly, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating Method: Not applicable. Serve at room temperature after resting about 30 minutes.
- Freezing: Not recommended. Cream cheese texture changes after freezing.
Love cheesy appetizers? Try these recipes!
- Baked Goat Cheese
- Beer Cheese Dip
- Goat Cheese Crostini
- Jarlsberg Cheese Dip
- Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Smoked Gouda Cheese Dip
Find lots of easy recipes for appetizers right here on CopyKat!
Marinated Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup white or apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions (white and green parts)
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons oil-packed sundried tomatoes finely chopped
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese (must be a blockādo not use shredded cheese)
- 8 ounces cream cheese chilled, (must be very cold so it can be sliced)
- crackers for serving
Instructions
- To prepare the marinade, place the olive oil, vinegar, parsley, green onions, garlic, sugar, salt, ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sundried tomatoes in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Slice the block of cheddar cheese in half lengthwise. Then slice it crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. Repeat with the block of cream cheese.
- Place the cheese slices in a serving dish that is at least 1-inch deep, alternating between cheddar and cream cheese. A 9-inch baking dish works well for this, or you can use a deep-dish pie plate if you prefer to arrange the cheese in a spiral.
- Pour the marinade over the cheese.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Remove the dish from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature before serving with crackers.
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