This marinated goat cheese spread is the ultimate party appetizer! Creamy goat cheese is topped with olives and herbs then drizzled with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. It is wonderful when served with crackers, sliced vegetables, or grilled bread. It can be made ahead of time and benefits from marinating time.
This Marinated Goat Cheese Spread is the perfect party starter! Fresh goat cheese is topped with olives, herbs, and a delicious simple vinaigrette. It's put together in just 10 minutes and it's even better the next day!
This spread is fresh, bright, and delicious. It's been a classic easy appetizer in my family for years—introduced to us from a family friend. It makes an appearance at every holiday and get together. I've even had people who don't like olives, love this dip.
Serve it with your favorite crackers, sliced vegetables, or bread. If you have dietary restrictions, try pairing it with some gluten-free focaccia, or gluten-free no knead bread.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A delicious party appetizer. Fresh, light, and healthy.
- Best when made the day before. This dip needs time to marinate so it's great to make ahead of time.
- Serve with crackers, vegetables, or bread.
- Made with simple ingredients. All found at a normal grocery store.
- Easy to transport. Make it at home and bring it to the party.
- Easy to make for a large group. This spread can easily serve 20 people as an appetizer.
- Allergy-friendly. This recipe is gluten-free, vegetarian, and nut-free.
Want more party appetizers? You'll also like this spicy edamame kale dip, mango pico de gallo, homemade french onion dip, melon prosciutto skewers, and dairy-free spinach artichoke dip.
Ingredient Notes
Here is everything you'll need to make this marinated goat cheese dip recipe:
- Goat cheese: ensure it is plain and softened before trying to spread it.
- Variety of olives: I rotate between black olives, green olives, kalamata olives, etc. Ensure they do not have pits and give them a rough chop.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These are optional since I don't like them very much, but slice some up to include if you like.
- Fresh basil: Gently tear the basil for best flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Minced garlic
- Fresh rosemary & fresh thyme: Fresh is 100% best, but I have made this dip before with dried herbs if necessary.
- Black pepper
Substitutions
Can I use another cheese? If you had to pick, use another soft plain cheese like cream cheese or blended feta cheese.
I don't like olives, what else can I use? Since these are a key component of this recipe, I recommend keeping the olives. But you could simply pour the vinaigrette over the plain goat cheese with herbs.
Seasoning: You can add any seasonings to the vinaigrette that you like. Some red pepper flakes would be a delicious spicy addition. Or some calabrian chilis mixed into the olives. Lemon juice or orange zest in the vinaigrette would be bright.
Can I make this dairy free? If you have a spreadable non-dairy cheese, that could work in place of the goat cheese.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions.
(1) Spread the softened goat cheese into a thin, single layer on a shallow medium-size dish.
(2) Scatter the olives, sun dried tomatoes, and torn basil over the cheese.
(3) In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, and black pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the cheese.
Allow to marinate at room temperature for a few hours, or in the refrigerator overnight, covered with plastic wrap.
(4) Bring to room temperature before serving. Serve with your favorite crackers, sliced vegetables, or toasted baguette.
What to Serve with Marinated Goat Cheese Spread
This dip is delicious all on it's own, so you really just need a simple cracker or slice of baguette to accompany it and enjoy all the marinated flavors. I love to make this dip as a party appetizer or snack. Here are some of my favourite accompaniments:
- Plain crackers like saltines, triscuits, wheat thins
- Butter crackers
- Nut & seed crackers
- Sliced vegetables like carrots, cucumber, bell peppers
- Toasted baguette slices or fresh bread
- Gluten-free garlic bread
- Gluten-free focaccia
- Gluten-free no knead bread
Make Ahead & Storage
Make Ahead: I recommend making this dip the day before you plan to serve it. It will marinate well in the fridge overnight. Be sure to let it sit out for an hour before serving.
Storage: Allow the dip to sit out for 3 hours maximum. Cover any remaining dip and place in the fridge to preserve the cheese. Enjoy again later for up to 1 week.
Expert Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for successful marinated goat cheese:
- Set the goat cheese out at room temperature for an hour before assembling. This will let it soften and be easier to spread on your dish.
- Buy pre-pitted and sliced olives to make your life easier.
- Use fresh herbs.
- Add any other flavors you like such as chili flakes, sun dried tomatoes, etc.
- Allow the dip to marinate for at least 1 hour at room temperature before serving.
- Ideally, make the dip the day before you plan to serve it so the flavors can mingle.
- If refrigerated overnight, let the dip sit out for 1 hour before serving so the cheese can soften.
- Enjoy with your favorite crackers, vegetables, bread, etc.
- Hear me out... this dip would make an amazing filling for stuffed chicken breasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you had to pick, use another soft plain cheese like cream cheese or blended feta cheese.
Since these are a key component of this recipe, I recommend keeping the olives. But you could simply pour the vinaigrette over the plain goat cheese with herbs.
If you have a spreadable non-dairy cheese, that could work in place of the goat cheese.
This marinated goat cheese spread with olives and herbs sure is a party pleaser! Make this dip for the holiday season or any festivity and people will rave about it. It is best when made ahead so you don't have to stress on the day of. An easy and delicious appetizer!
More Appetizers
- Cottage Cheese Dill Pickle Dip
- How to Make a Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board
- Football Cheese Ball Recipe
- High Protein Cottage Cheese Spinach Artichoke Dip
Have you made this marinated goat cheese spread? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5 star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!
Recipe
Marinated Goat Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 8 oz softened goat cheese 225g
- ½ cup pitted and sliced olives black, green, kalamata, etc.
- 2 tablespoon sun dried tomatoes sliced, optional
- ¼ cup fresh basil torn
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Spread the softened goat cheese into a thin, even layer on a shallow medium-size dish.
- Scatter the olives, sun dried tomatoes, and torn basil over the cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, and black pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the cheese.
- Allow to marinate at room temperature for a few hours, or in the refrigerator overnight, covered with plastic wrap.
- Bring to room temperature before serving. Serve with your favorite crackers, sliced vegetables, or toasted baguette.
Notes
- Fresh or dried herbs? Fresh basil, rosemary, and thyme are definitely best if you can get your hands on them. I have made this dip with dried rosemary and thyme before and it has still been delicious.
- Make Ahead: I recommend making this dip the day before you plan to serve it. It will marinate well in the fridge overnight. Be sure to let it sit out for an hour before serving.
- Storage: Allow the dip to sit out for 3 hours maximum. Cover any remaining dip and place in the fridge to preserve the cheese. Enjoy again later for up to 1 week.
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