Marinated Cheese Appetizer

Transform your appetizer game with this vibrant and flavor-packed Marinated Cheese Appetizer. Perfect for entertaining, this dish combines creamy cheddar and tangy cream cheese cubes soaked in a delectable marinade of olive oil, white wine vinegar, fresh parsley, green onions, garlic, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. This no-cook recipe is an entertainer's dream, requiring just 20 minutes of prep before the marinade works its magic overnight. Serve these savory, herb-infused bites with crackers, bread, or toothpicks for a crowd-pleasing starter that's as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ideal for holidays, parties, or any cheese lover’s gathering, this make-ahead appetizer is guaranteed to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 45/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Cheddar cheese (block/firm)
• 8 ounces Cream cheese (block/firm)
• 0.5 cup Olive oil
• 0.25 cup White wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Minced fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons Minced green onions
• 2 cloves Minced fresh garlic
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cut the cheddar and cream cheese into 1-inch cubes. Aim for them to be roughly the same size for even marinating. Place the cubes on a large platter or tray slightly apart and refrigerate while preparing the marinade.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, white wine vinegar, minced parsley, green onions, garlic, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Arrange the cheese cubes in an alternating pattern inside a shallow dish or container (a casserole dish or resealable container works well).

Step 4

Pour the marinade evenly over the cheese cubes, ensuring all pieces are coated. If needed, gently tilt the dish to distribute the marinade.

Step 5

Cover the dish with plastic wrap or the container lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and infuse into the cheese.

Step 6

Before serving, bring the cheese to room temperature for about 20–30 minutes. Arrange the marinated cheese cubes on a serving platter, pouring some of the marinade over the top for added flavor.

Step 7

Serve with toothpicks, crackers, or fresh bread slices, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	657.6 grams (657.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2740

Total Fat 266.10g	341%
Saturated Fat 114.60g	573%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.60g
Cholesterol 486mg	162%
Sodium 3380mg	147%
Total Carbohydrate 19.60g	7%
Dietary Fiber 1.20g	4%
Total Sugars 9.50g
Protein 74.00g	148%

Vitamin D 49IU	243%
Calcium 1862mg	143%
Iron 4mg	20%
Potassium 692mg	15%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 86.5%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 2.8%