Marinated Cheese & Olive – Easy No-Cook Appetizer Recipe
Marinated Cheese & Olive Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Appetizer for Any Occasion
Looking for an easy, elegant, and crowd-pleasing appetizer? This Marinated Cheese & Olive recipe is a no-cook, make-ahead dish that bursts with Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Combining tangy olives, rich cheeses, fresh herbs, and a fragrant marinade of olive oil, garlic, and spices, this dish is perfect for entertaining or simply upgrading your snack board.
Whether you’re prepping for a dinner party, holiday gathering, or wine night, this marinated appetizer will impress guests and elevate your spread.
🛠 Tools You’ll Need
One of the best parts of this recipe is how low-effort it is. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Mixing bowl – To toss everything together.
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Glass jar or airtight container – For storing the marinated mixture.
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Cutting board and knife – To cube the cheese and chop herbs or garlic.
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Measuring spoons and cups – For accuracy with spices and oil.
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Spoon or spatula – To stir the mixture evenly.
No cooking, baking, or special equipment required!
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Make-ahead magic: Tastes better after a few hours or even overnight.
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Versatile and customizable: Use your favorite cheese or olives.
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Great for charcuterie boards: Adds color, texture, and bold flavor.
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Perfect for all seasons: Light and refreshing in summer, rich and savory for winter.
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No cooking required: Just mix, marinate, and serve.
📝 Ingredients
You can easily adjust this based on your preferences, but here’s a well-balanced base recipe:
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1 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese
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1 cup cubed mozzarella or Monterey Jack
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1 cup mixed olives (green, Kalamata, Castelvetrano)
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⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
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2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a kick)
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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Zest of 1 lemon
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Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
👨🍳 How to Make Marinated Cheese & Olive
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Prep your ingredients: Cube the cheese into bite-sized pieces. Drain and pat the olives dry if they’re packed in brine.
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Make the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
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Toss and coat: Add the cheese cubes and olives to the bowl. Gently toss everything so it’s fully coated with the marinade.
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Let it marinate: Transfer to a glass jar or airtight container. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
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Serve: Bring to room temperature before serving to let the olive oil soften and the flavors shine. Serve with crusty bread, crackers, or as part of a charcuterie board.
🧊 How to Store It
Refrigerator: Store in a tightly sealed glass jar or container for up to 7 days. The flavor deepens the longer it marinates!
Pro Tip: Let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving to allow the olive oil to liquefy and the flavors to fully emerge.
Do not freeze: Cheese texture can be compromised when frozen and thawed.
This Marinated Cheese & Olive recipe is a foolproof way to add gourmet flair to your appetizers with minimal effort. It’s savory, zesty, and packed with flavor—and it only gets better the longer it sits. Whether you’re building the ultimate cheese board or just snacking in style, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.
