Marinated Cheese is an easy appetizer that can be served with anything! It’s delicious, savory, and bursting with flavor. Enjoy it with a charcuterie board or cheese board for the perfect party snack.
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Tips for Marinating
Marinating is the process of soaking food in a marinade, or a savory acidic sauce, which usually uses some form of vinegar as a base, such as red wine vinegar. If this is your first time marinating food, here are some important tips to know.
Marinating your food longer doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll taste better. Make sure you know how long to marinate certain foods- cheeses, meats, vegetables, etc. Store bought Italian dressing makes a great simple marinade if you don’t have time to make your own.
I’ve also found that if you put the cream cheese in the freezer for 15 minute prior to cutting, it makes it so much easier to cut the cream cheese.
Why This Marinated Cheese Recipe is a Keeper
You’ll love this recipe for marinated cubed cheese. It always gets rave reviews and I’m always asked for the recipe whenever I make it. It’s absolutely delicious and easy to make, and uses two kinds of cheese – both soft and hard cheese.
Here are just a few reasons why this is one of my favorite cream cheese appetizers:
- Easy Ingredients: All of the ingredients for this easy and delicious recipe can likely be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Adaptable: Use marinated cheese as a topping or spread for anything you want.
- Variety: You can use any type of cheese like cheddar, Monterrey Jack, Jalapeno Jack and more. You can also sub full-fat cream cheese for the low fat version.
- Popular: I made this for a party and everyone loved it and asked for the recipe.
If you’re looking for more cheese appetizers, try these: Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip, Doritos Chicken Tenders, and Soft Pretzels With Cheese.
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Can You Cook With this Pickled Cheese?
This recipe probably works best as an appetizer. You can try to cook with it, but it’s best enjoyed as its own dish.
Ingredient Notes for the Marinated Cheese
- Cheddar Cheese: Use a block of cheddar cheese, not pre-sliced or grated cheese. You can use mild cheddar cheese or sharp cheddar cheese. White cheddar works as well.
- Italian Dressing Mix: This will serve as the base of your marinade.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for this Cream Cheese Appetizer Recipe
- Different Cheeses: Although this marinated cheese appetizer recipe makes three different kinds of cheese, you can use any kind you want. Marinated mozzarella balls or pepper jack cheese is especially delicious, and you can use goat cheese instead of cream cheese.
How to Make Marinated Cheese
Have you ever thought to marinate cheese? This great recipe for a make-ahead appetizer is the perfect party food. Just mix the marinade ingredients together, marinate the cheese, and arrange it on your favorite serving platter!
These are the basic steps for making marinated cheese. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. If you love to make different appetizers, leave a comment of your favorite as we love reader interactions.
Step 1: Make the Marinade
Whisk together the marinade ingredients- Italian dressing, vegetable oil, vinegar, minced onion, water, and sugar.
Step 2: Cut Cheese Blocks
Cut Monterey Jack cheese in half lengthwise, then cut each half crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Repeat with cut cheddar cheese and cream cheese.
Step 3: Allow the Cheese to Sit and Marinate
Arrange cheese in 4 rows in a shallow baking dish, alternating Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese. Pour marinade over the cheese and toss to coat. Wrap and let the cheese to sit in the refrigerator at least 8 hours or overnight, so that the flavors of the marinade can soak through. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it’ll be.
Step 4: When you are Ready to Serve this Colorful and Flavorful Cheese
Drain marinade; arrange cheese cubes on a platter in rows. Top with pimiento, and insert a toothpick in each block of cheese. Serve with your favorite crackers or celery.
Marinated Christmas Cheese FAQs
Expert Tips for Making this Delicious Appetizer
I’ve only ever seem this recipe in southern living magazine. Now You can see variations everywhere.
- Pan: Do not use a metal pan to make marinated cheese. The metal could interfere with the flavor of this easy recipe.
- Roasted Red Peppers: Top this marinated cheese appetizer with roasted red peppers for some extra flavor. If you don’t have any, add some red pepper flakes, onion and garlic.
- Garnish: You can garnish the cheese slices with dried herbs or fresh herbs, like basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, or parsley.
- Tip: Putting the cream cheese in the freezer for about 30 minutes helped it to keep its shape better as you sliced it. So it is simple to make.
What to Serve with Marinated Cheese
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Marinated Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- .7 ounce Italian Dressing Mix, 1 envelope
- ½ cup Vegetable Oil
- ¼ cup White Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Onions, Minced
- 2 tablespoon Water
- 1 ½ teaspoon Sugar
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack Cheese, 1 block, chilled
- 8 ounces Cheddar Cheese, 1 block, chilled
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, 1 package, chilled
- 4 ounces Pimentos, 1 jar, drained
Instructions
- Whisk together the first 6 ingredients. Set aside.
- Cut Monterey Jack cheese in half lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Repeat with Cheddar cheese and cream cheese.
- Arrange cheese in 4 rows in a shallow 2-qt. baking dish, alternating Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese.
- Pour marinade over cheese. Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.
- Drain marinade; arrange cheese on a platter in rows. Top with pimiento, and serve with assorted crackers.
Expert Tips
- Pan: Do not use a metal pan to make marinated cheese. The metal could interfere with the flavor of this easy recipe.
- Roasted Red Peppers: Top this marinated cheese appetizer with roasted red peppers for some extra flavor. If you don’t have any, add some red pepper flakes, onion and garlic.
- Garnish: You can garnish the cheese slices with dried herbs or fresh herbs, like basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, or parsley.
- Tip: Putting the cream cheese in the freezer for about 30 minutes helped it to keep its shape better as you sliced it. So it is simple to make.
Christina, just one note: if marinating for that length of time or longer, make sure to NOT use a metal baking dish… The acidic nature of vinegar/Italian dressing can react with &/or damage the pan & affect the flavor of the cheese.
BTW, you’ve just given me another easy & delicious treat for my sister’s baby shower. THANX again!!!
Barb…
Found this recipe via Life as Mom and it looks super easy and delish. We usually have a nice shindig for my birthday in March, and I’m thinking this would make an excellent addition. Thanks for the idea!
Happy to help! Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for stopping by and come back soon! 🙂
I have made this recipe during the holiday’s for several years. To make it a little simpler you can substitute Italian dressing in the bottle vs. making your own. Also, I spread the spreadable cream cheese with onion and chives in between the two cheeses when layering on the platter. It is absolutely delicious and goes fast.
Great suggestions, Charla! Thanks so much for sharing. I think I’ll give them a try this weekend!
Thanks for stopping by and come back soon! 🙂