Herb Marinated Goat Cheese Recipe (quick appetizer)
This Herb Marinated Goat Cheese Recipe is a quick appetizer, perfect for elevating any gathering.
It’s bursting with the flavors of fresh garden herbs, lemon, garlic and spices.
The creamy goat cheese pairs perfectly with the freshness of herbs, making it a delicious recipe year-round.
If you love this burrata appetizer or my marinated mozzarella recipe, your guests are sure to love this marinated goat cheese.
Why herb marinated goat cheese is a perfect easy appetizer
- Easy: Less than 20 minutes to prep this appetizer.
- Simple ingredients: All of the ingredients are easy to find in your local grocery store or farmer’s market.
- Seasonal: Use different herbs depending on the season, making this appetizer very versatile.
Ingredients
- Plain goat cheese (1 log of goat cheese)
- Extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- Small garlic clove
- Kosher salt
- Ground pepper
- Chili flakes (or red pepper flakes)
- Lemon zest
- Fresh herbs, finely chopped (mix of dill, basil, thyme, parsley and/or chives)
- For serving: crostini, crackers, fresh bread or fresh vegetables
Cutting the goat’s cheese
To cleanly cut rounds of goat cheese (and avoid it crumbling), place the goat cheese in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, no longer. This method helps to firm up the cheese before slicing. Then, use one of two methods to slice:
- Sharp knife: After the goat cheese has sat in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, remove, unwrap and slice with a sharp knife. Repeat until the whole log of goat cheese has been sliced.
- Dental floss: Alternatively, you can use unflavored dental floss to cut slices of goat cheese. Wrap the ends of a piece of unflavored dental floss around your fingers on each hand and hold it taut. Then, place on top of the log of goat cheese and pull the floss straight down to slice. Repeat until the whole log has been sliced.
Prepping ahead
You can make this marinated goat cheese up to 2 hours ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.
If making this goat cheese recipe ahead of time, let sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving to take the chill off.
What kind of herbs to use with this recipe?
I like to use a mix of fresh basil, dill, chives, parsley and thyme leaves in this recipe. However, you can use what you have on hand or what you can find at your nearest grocery store or farmer’s market.
You can easily find fresh herbs based on what season you’re in:
Spring & Summer: Use more delicate herbs that are easily found in the garden like dill, basil, chives and parsley.
Fall & Winter: Use heartier herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley and/or oregano.
Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions
- Make ahead: If you’ve made this marinated goat cheese recipe ahead of time and it’s been in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to take the chill off.
- Seasonal fresh herbs: This recipe allows for substitution of the fresh herbs depending on what you can access or what you have on hand. In the Spring and Summer, try more delicate herbs like dill, parsley, basil and/or chives. In the Fall and Winter, try heartier herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley and/or oregano.
- Goat cheese: While this is a goat cheese recipe, if you are in a pinch, you could try pieces of cream cheese marinated instead.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Add 1/4 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes for more flavor.
- Olives: Add 1/4 cup diced castelvetrano olives for a tangier appetizer.
What to serve with this marinated goat cheese recipe
Fresh bread: Fresh torn or sliced baguette or sourdough pairs perfectly with this appetizer.
Crackers: I like a neutral flavored cracker with this goat cheese, something flavored with olive oil and/or sea salt.
Crostini: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into ½-inch thick slices, about 20-24 slices. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted. Set aside.
Vegetables: Fresh cut vegetables are delectable with this goat cheese appetizer. Vegetables like radishes, cucumber, mini bell peppers and/or carrots. Cut the cucumber or carrots on the bias (angle) for a prettier presentation.
How long does marinated goat cheese last?
If you are making this marinated goat cheese in an effort to store for a later date, I recommend storing in an airtight glass container. Since this recipe uses fresh herbs, this will last up to 1 week in the fridge.
What else can I use this marinated goat cheese for?
This marinated goat cheese is very versatile. If you have leftover marinated goat cheese, store in the fridge to add to:
- Pasta sauces for more flavor
- On top of a simple green salad
- Mixed with other cheeses in a grilled cheese or on garlic cheese toast
- Add to cheese boards or charcuterie boards
- Enjoy as a part of a snack plate on the weekend
- Spread on a bagel or use as a spread in a wrap
How to store
Store any leftovers in the olive oil, covered or in a glass jar, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Remove from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying again.
FAQs
This goat cheese is very versatile. You can use it in a variety of ways such as: adding to pasta for a flavor boost; add to a cheese or charcuterie board; spread on a bagel, toast or use in a wrap.
If you are making this marinated goat cheese in an effort to store for a later date, I recommend storing in an airtight glass container. Since this recipe uses fresh herbs, this will last up to 1 week in the fridge.
More goat cheese recipes to love from the blog
- Blueberry and Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Herb Marinated Goat Cheese Dip
- 5-Ingredient Baked Goat Cheese with Apricot Jam
Herb Marinated Goat Cheese Recipe (quick appetizer)
Ingredients
- 280-340 g / 10-12oz goat cheese, cut in half inch rounds
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1 small garlic clove, pressed or grated
- ¼ tsp kosher or sea salt
- Pinch of pepper and chili flakes
- Zest from half a lemon
- ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh herbs (your choice of a mix of dill, basil, thyme, parsley and/or chives) plus more for garnish
- For serving: crostini, crackers, fresh bread or fresh vegetables
Instructions
- To a shallow serving dish add 1/4 cup of the olive oil to cover the bottom of the dish. Nestle the rounds of goat cheese into the olive oil on the serving dish.
- To a small bowl add the rest of the olive oil (1/4 cup), pressed garlic, salt, pepper, chili flakes, lemon zest. Stir everything together to combine and then gently pour over top of all of the goat cheese rounds.
- Let sit at room temp for 10-15 minutes and then serve with crostini, crackers, fresh bread or vegetables. Alternatively, keep in the fridge for up to 2 hours covered and remove about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- To make crostini to eat with this marinated goat cheese: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into ½-inch thick slices, about 20-24 slices. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted. Set aside.
