Featured Reader Review
Beth said, “Recipes like this are why you should always have high quality flaky sea salt and olive oil on hand! This is absolutely delightful and as easy as promised. Make it for guests or treat yourself with delectable feta that gets a major flavor upgrade.”
Ingredients Needed
- A block of feta cheese or little cubes of feta
- High quality finishing extra virgin olive oil (recommended brand below!)
- Flaky sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 dried bay leaf
- Fresh thyme leaves or other fresh herbs
That’s it! Marinated feta is the such an easy appetizer, regardless of occasion!
For more deliciously cheesy appetizer recipes, try my spicy baked feta dip, creamy baked goat cheese with fig jam, or this no cook herbed whipped feta dip next!
How To Make Marinated Feta
You ready for this?
Place a block of feta cheese in a large, shallow serving bowl. Next, drizzle with copious amounts of extra virgin olive oil. Add a dried bay leaf to the bowl. Finally, sprinkle the feta with flaky sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a few fresh thyme leaves.
Quick and simple appetizer for a crowd? CHECK.
Prep At Least 1 Hour Before Serving
Another thing to love about this recipe? It benefits from being prepped at least 1 hour in advance. Why? Because — like all cheeses — the feta will be easier to serve, cut, or slice into if it’s room temperature. Trust me! That hour makes a difference.
I am always searching for appetizer ideas that are meant to be prepped before guests ever walk through the door. THIS IS IT, my friends. This is it.
What To Serve With Marinated Feta
Here’s where I keep things unbelievably simple. The only things I’ll serve with this appetizer are slices of crusty bread and olives. Go to the olive bar at your favorite grocery store, scoop up a heaping cup of your favorite mixed olives, then drizzle with a bit of that extra virgin olive oil you used for the feta.
Quick, simple, understated elegance.
How Long Will Marinated Feta Last?
If your guests are hungry, not very long at all! I kid.
We have kept leftovers for at least 2-3 days in an airtight container in a refrigerator, but the flaky sea salt (mandatory!!) may dissolve. If that happens, just sprinkle a few more flakes on before serving again. If your dish is running low on oil, drizzle more!
Why I Recommend A Super High Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
I cannot stress this enough: when finishing recipes, I always give them a generous drizzle of a high quality finishing oil (always extra virgin). They’re nutty, a bit peppery, and so, so good. With marinated feta, none of the ingredients are cooked. You really want to work with the highest quality ingredients you can get your hands on.
If you make this Marinated Feta recipe, please let us know by leaving a review and rating below!
And make sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow along on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Facebook for more Well Seasoned recipes! Don’t forget to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #wellseasonedstudio and upload your photos below! We love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!
If you’re looking for other easy appetizers, check out the following recipes:
- Spiced cocktail nuts
- Homemade Israeli cheese bourekas
- Phyllo-wrapped feta appetizer with truffle honey
- Thanksgiving crostini with ricotta, butternut squash, and balsamic
Tell Us What You Think!
If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a review and rating—we value your feedback and it helps us keep creating (and sharing!) free recipes. Your support means the world!
Rate this Recipe
5-Minute No-Cook Marinated Feta Appetizer
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Feta
- 8 oz (½ lb) whole block of feta cheese, drained
- ⅓ cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1 dried bay leaf
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 sprigs thyme leaves
For Serving
- Crusty bread or crackers
- Mixed olives
Instructions
- Bring to room temp. One hour before serving, remove feta from refrigerator to come to room temperature.
- Assemble. Place feta in a large shallow bowl. Drizzle olive oil on top and around feta. Add bay leaf to the bowl.
- Season. Sprinkle feta with flaky sea salt, black pepper, and fresh thyme leaves. Serve with crusty bread or crackers and olives.
Notes
- Cheese: You’re not limited to feta — goat cheese or small mozzarella balls work beautifully, too.
- Olive oil: Use a bold, high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Skip neutral oils like avocado or coconut — you want that nutty, peppery flavor to shine.
- Herbs: Use what you love or have on hand — dill, tarragon, oregano, thyme… all fair game.
- Make-ahead: Marinate a few hours in advance, but wait to add salt and pepper until just before serving so the cheese doesn’t soften too much.
- Storage: Keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipes like this are why you should always have high quality flaky sea salt and olive oil on hand! This is absolutely delightful and as easy as promised. Make it for guests or treat yourself with delectable feta that gets a major flavor upgrade. Pair with the marinated olives if you really want to take things up a notch and bring joy to taste buds – either yourself or others! Cheers!
I know sangria may seem weird with this, but made both of these with this sangria recipe for guests and it was a really nice explosion of flavors!
Love this, thanks so much for sharing, Beth! xo, Ari