This easy marinated cheese appetizer recipe is like a dreamier version of jarred antipasto. All you need is havarti cheese, sun dried tomatoes, salami, cornichons, olives, fresh basil and your favorite garlicky vinaigrette.
Why You'll love this easy appetizer recipe
This marinated cheese recipe is about to become your new favorite thing in your entertaining repertoire!
Whether you're seeking out killer appetizer recipes for your warm weather gatherings or the holiday season, this delicious appetizer will undoubtedly impress your guests. You can serve these marinated cheeses as a stand alone stunner or add them to a cheese board to make it even more enticing. All you need to do is mix up and let it sit. After marinating, serve this perfect appetizer with your favorite bread or your favorite crackers.
Whether you are creating an elaborate charcuterie board or assembling an array of cheese platters, this amazing appetizer is guaranteed to be the star of the show. It’s one of those great appetizers that seamlessly fits into your collection of easy recipes. And you'll love that you can prepare it ahead of time and enjoy the festivities without stress.
With a variety of types of cheese to choose from, you can customize this dish to suit your preferences. And who doesn't love a a versatile side dish?! This marinated cheese recipe not only enhances your entertaining but also ensures that every gathering is memorable. Your guests will love this rich, delicious flavors that make the season special.
As for the delicious marinade, you can either use store-bought Garlic Expressions or make it from scratch. No matter which path you choose, the marinade will infuse the cheese with a depth of flavor that always earns rave reviews, making it an ideal choice for any occasion.
Although it's totally customizable, this original recipe stands out not only for its simplicity as a make-ahead appetizer but also for its rich flavor that truly captures the taste of home.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cheese: I recommend using havarti cheese cubes since they're fudgy, creamy and absolutely delicious. If you wanted to use different kinds of cheese, I recommend using soft cheeses like goat cheese, a combination of sharp cheddar cheese and white cheddar, mild cheddar, mozzarella cheese, colby jack, pepper jack cheese or even cream cheese. If you wanted to add hard cheese, try parmesan, asiago or pecorino.
- Salami: If you don't eat salami, you can leave it out. Or swap it for another cured charcuterie meat of your choice.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: If you don't like sun dried tomatoes, you can swap them for another pickly item you prefer.
- Cornichon Pickles: Same goes with these pickles, if they're not your thing, leave them out. Or swap them for something like marinated red peppers or pimento peppers.
- Castelvetrano Olives: This bright green olive is rich and buttery without much olive-y taste. If you prefer something more strong, feel free to use another type of olive you like better.
- Fresh Basil: Feel free to swap out the basil for other fresh herbs. You can try fresh parsley, fresh oregano, or even fresh thyme.
- Garlic Expressions Salad Dressing: This is MY FAVORITE dressing! It's got whole garlic cloves and it's perfectly zesty! If you prefer to make this delicious marinade yourself, go for it! Just grab a small bowl and add your favorite marinade ingredients. It could be as simple as white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and some dried herbs like italian seasoning,
- Optional Additions: Want to add even more delicious flavors?! Go for it! Here are some popular additions you might like: red pepper flakes, green onions, black pepper, citrus peels, fresh mozzarella balls.
How to make it
This marinated cheese recipe is such a great appetizer no matter what time of year! And you'll love how easy it is to throw together.
Start by cutting your cheese and salami into small cubes.
Next add the cheese, salami, olives, pickles, sun dried tomatoes and fresh herbs to a large mixing bowl. Pour marinade or olive oil mixture over the cheese cubes mixture. Toss everything together until combined.
Pour the mixture into a large mason jar or shallow dish (covered with plastic wrap) and serve immediately or let it marinate in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
This low carb delicious appetizer is best served at room temperature. My favorite way to serve it is with a cocktail fork, some decorative wooden skewers or your favorite bread.
What to pair it with
Here are some more of my favorite easy appetizer recipes to pair with this marinated cheese recipe.
- Whipped Brie Cheese Dip Appetizer with Honey & Fig Jam
- Glazed Cocktail Sausages (The Best Little Smokies Recipe)
- Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil Bread Dip - The Best Recipe!
- Easy Chicken Sliders Recipe with Honey Mustard & Bacon
- Prosciutto & Burrata Sandwich Sliders with Fig Jam & Arugula
- CAVA Crazy Feta - Copycat Spicy Feta Dip Recipe
Recipe
Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer Recipe with Salami & Pickles
Ingredients
- 6 oz Havarti Cheese diced into bite-sized cubes (I recommend Roth Original Havarti)
- ½ cup Sun Dried Tomatoes
- 1 cup Salami diced into bite-sized cubes
- ½ cup Cornichons
- ½ cup Castelvetrano Olives
- 2 tablespoon Fresh basil roughly chopped
- 1 cup Garlic Expressions (or your go-to italian style vinaigrette)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium sized mixing bowl and stir.
- Pour into a mason jar or add to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge.
- Serve immediately or let it marinate in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
