Step up your entertaining game this holiday season with this beautifully fragrant Marinated Goat Cheese Spread using fresh herbs from the garden. This flavorsome appetizer can be made ahead of time and served spread on slices of fresh baguette or some crunchy crackers for entertaining made easy. It also packs well in glass jars for hostess gifts or picnics.
Marinated Goat Cheese Spread with Fresh Garden Herbs
We love a good cheese board to put out for friends and family around the Holidays.
I also love to make it something a little extra special by marinating the cheese myself with herbs picked fresh from the garden.
There is something so satisfying about pulling out a little jar of hand-marinated cheese and serving it with some fresh crusty baguette or those fancy little crackers filled with nuts and seeds.
For this tangy goat cheese spread you will need only a handful of simple ingredients easily found at the grocery store, or even in your own garden if you grow herbs:
- a log of goat cheese;
- extra virgin olive oil: use a light-flavored oil so that it does not overpower the taste of the cheese and herbs;
- fresh basil;
- fresh oregano;
- fresh thyme;
- fresh sage;
- freshly ground black pepper;
- kosher salt.
Feel free to change the herbs up depending on what you have growing in the garden or your own personal preferences. Fresh chives, parsley, fresh rosemary etc would all work wonderfully.
A little bit of lemon zest is always delicious when added as well if you are partial to lemons.
Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions
Marinated goat's cheese looks like a labor of love but trust me, it is so easy to put together that your 5-year-old could do it (mine does!).
No jokes! Get the kids involved by having them help with:
- picking the herbs from the garden;
- chopping the herbs with a kid-approved knife;
- layering the goat cheese in the container;
- pouring over the oil;
- sprinkling the herbs on top.
The best bit about getting kids into the kitchen to help with things like this is that they are more likely to try something new if they are involved in the process themselves.
Cutting The Goat's Cheese
My number one tip for slicing goat's cheese neatly and so that it looks pretty layered in the glass jar is to not use a knife.
If you use a knife the cheese is just going to crumble and look super messy.
Instead, try using:
- fishing wire;
- dental floss (unscented);
- or invest in one of those fancy cheese cutters meant for stuff like this.
Personally, I just use unscented dental floss to cut my goat cheese as that is what I have on hand.
However, you can always pick up one of those proper cheese slices for something a little fancier (p.s. this would make a great Holiday gift for the foodie in your life!)
Prepping Ahead
This herb-infused cheese is perfect for making ahead of time and having it on hand for when guests pop over.
Put everything together and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 24 hours. If you happen to store it longer than that the olive oil will solidify, so simply remove it and all it to come to room temperature before serving.
Don't worry, you can just take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature and it will be all ready for serving with your favorite crusty baguette.
Serving Suggestions
This cheese is just perfect for serving up on a cheese board and spreading on slices of baguette, crostini, or crackers.
As goat's cheese is soft and already has a creamy texture it does not need to be processed in a food processor or blender to give it a spreadable consistency. For this reason, I leave it as is and simply spread it with a cheese knife when needed.
However, if you prefer a more spreadable consistency as you would have with whipped goat cheese then feel free to combine goat cheese with a little bit of the oil used for marinating in a food processor or stand mixer and mix until smooth.
Serve in a small bowl sprinkled with some more fresh herbs before serving.
Some other ideas for serving up include:
- spread on toast
- served as little goat cheese appetizer crostini
- stuffed in puff pastry cases and baked for little goat cheese tarts
- spreading on the base of a galette before adding your other favorite ingredients (sundried tomatoes work very well)
- use as the base of a pizza
- with raw veggies for scooping
- stuffed into mushroom cups and baked
- dolloped through a salad
- anywhere you would use cream cheese.
Need some more easy appetizer recipes for the entertaining season? Why not try whipping up some of these tasty party appetizers that come together in no time at all.
Or why not make a picnic of it and bring along this Raspberry Baked Brie with Jam and Hazelnut, some Apple Pear Chutney, cheddar cheese, and crackers for something a little bit different?
If you enjoyed this delicious recipe please leave a 5-star rating on the recipe card below or leave a comment below.
Happy eating.
xx
Recipe
Herbed Goat Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 8 oz goat's cheese cut into ¼ inch discs
- extra virgin olive oil enough to fill your container
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil julienned
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
- ½ teaspoon fresh sage chopped
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Line the container your container with a thin layer of olive oil.
- Lay down a layer of the sliced goat cheese on top of the oil. Top with half of the fresh herbs followed by a good sprinkle of salt and cracked pepper.
- Drizzle with olive oil and continue with another layer of cheese and herbs. The goat's cheese mixture should be completely covered by a thin layer of the oil.
- Cover and set aside, at room temperature for an hour or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Serve at room temperature with bread or crackers. See notes
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Erica Acevedo says
You've saved me! I know EXACTLY what to make for a fall party I'm going to this weekend! I'm not a goat cheese gal, personally, but my friends are, and this will be amazing on my homemade crostini.
Lucy Parissi says
This is fantastic - so easy to put together and very tasty. And the tips for cutting are genius.
Donna says
Thanks Lucy! Yes those tips come from multiple stuff-ups over the years 🙂
Marisa Franca says
If I saw this on the appetizer table I would head for it first. I love cheese -- all kinds. But goat cheese is up there in the favorites. I've never thought of marinating the cheese, but oh my it would really knock it out of the park. This recipe is a keeper.
Donna says
I always make a beeline for the cheese too 🙂
Stef says
I have never tried making something like this. Thanks for the tip on not using a knife. I 100% would have done that. I'm bookmarking this for next summer when we have tons of fresh herbs in our garden. It will be so perfect for summer get-togethers.
Donna says
It is so nice when you can pick your own herbs for something like this, it always makes me feel so accomplished 🙂
Eileen Kelly says
I have got to tell you, I am a huge cheese fan! I love that you took a fresh goat cheese log and transformed it into an even more gorgeous cheese snack! This will be great for snacking for me and the hubs. We love fresh herbs and cheese together!
Donna says
It's the best combo right! We have been munching away with fresh bread all week!
EA The Spicy RD says
What a great recipe for the holidays! I love anything with fresh herbs, and goat cheese is a favorite at our house, so I can't wait to make this!
Donna says
Yay, hope you love it as much as we do!
Kiki Johnson says
Oh wow, this goat cheese would be perfect paired with some homemade Raincoast crackers! Love goat cheese and marinating it is a brilliant idea and would probably make a great gift as well!
Donna says
Yum, I love those crackers, I haven't tried making them at home though - genius!
Traci says
Yummm, I love how gorgeous and easy this is! You don't even need to build a whole platter! Just set this out and watch it disappear! This one's a keeper! Sharing!
Donna says
That's exactly what happened here! I put it out with some crackers and the whole log was gone in a matter on minutes (did I mention we all love cheese in this family).
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
My first thought was, "You can do this at home?!" I always by the already marinated goat cheese logs, but making it myself is very appealing. That way, I can infuse whatever herbs and flavors to fit the theme of the cheese board. Oh, and dental floss is the way to go when cutting goat cheese!
Donna says
Exactly! I always love changing it up depending on what herbs we have growing in the garden. So easy
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
Adding this to my list of must-try recipes!
Donna says
Enjoy!
Tina says
I LOVE goat cheese. I never thought to marinate it before. This is fantastic! Definitely going to have to try this. Another use for dental floss, I'll have to remember that trick. Thanks for sharing this!
Donna says
Goat's cheese is definitely a favorite around here!
Lisa says
I admit that marinated cheese is one of my weaknesses -- especially when we're serving cocktails with friends. I've had marinated feta and mozzarella before, but never chèvre. Now I see the error of my ways -- and Goat cheese has always been one of my favorites, anyway, but with this bounty of herbs and good olive oil -- I know it's going to be fabulous.
Donna says
Cheese is probably my biggest weakness!
debra says
Wow....this is so decadent. Perfect to take to pot-luck holiday parties. Thanks for the tips on cutting the cheese. I never could figure out why it always crumbled and what to do about it.
Donna says
Oh don't worry, I went through lots of trial and error before getting the perfect slice (at least the crumbles were still delicious!)
Tracy Koslicki says
YES. Now this is way better than a traditional cheese log or ball. Talk about classy! Definitely going to serve at some holiday parties this year!
Courtney says
This looks so delicious! I'm trying this next time I put together an appetizer platter.
Gloria says
I just saw this post in a pinterest. It looks so good. I would love this as an appetizer for sure. It would also make a wonderful food gift. I LOVE goat cheese.