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This easy appetizer is beautiful and outrageously delicious. Serve it with warm crusty bread and be sure to make plenty! It will get gobbled up before you can say "Herb Marinated Goat Cheese"!
Something magical happens when you combine goat cheese and olive oil and let the two of them mingle and marry. The goat cheese is transformed into something so creamy and delicious that people often ask "What is this"? Add lots of fresh herbs, finely chopped sundried tomatoes and tiny slivers of garlic. Then top the whole thing with toasted pine nuts and serve it with some warm crusty bread. You might just find guests wanting to forget about dinner!
Easy and delicious... a perfect combination!
This Herb Marinated Goat Cheese is, to me, the perfect appetizer because it doesn't take long to put together and can be made early in the day. In fact, it's best made early, so all the wonderful flavors can meld and marry together. Just pull it out of the refrigerator about 45 minutes before serving. I like pairing this appetizer with a bowl of toasted pine nuts and some, warm, thick baguette slices  (drizzled lightly with olive oil). It's one of those appetizers that gets gobbled up in a hurry!
What kind of herbs to use with this recipe?
You choose! Whatever you have or whatever is freshest at the market will be delicious. I happened to have fresh rosemary, parsley, and thyme, but dill and mint is also a great combination. In the summer months, when basil is prolific, throw in lots of torn or sliced basil. You can use a combination or just one herb on its own. If you only have one fresh herb, it's nice also to add a sprinkle of dried herbs like oregano or basil or a combination blend like Italian seasoning.
What else can I use this marinated goat cheese for?
In addition to being a wonderful appetizer, both the goat cheese and the oil can be used in lots of other ways:
- Spread the marinated goat cheese on toasted, whole-grain bread and serve with a jammy egg, delish!
- Place a round slice of marinated goat cheese on grilled chicken breasts. Tent the chicken to allow the cheese to get soft and melty. Drizzle some of the delicious, herby oil on top.
- Use the herbed goat cheese in a salad. For example, cut the log in thick slices and serve on a bed of greens with roasted beets. Add a splash of lemon juice to the oil and drizzle it over the salad. Top with toasted pine nuts.
- Use the marinated goat cheese as a sandwich spread.
- Crumble the marinated goat cheese on pizza after baking. Toss some arugula in a bit of the marinade oil and use it to top the pizza.
- Slice the goat cheese into rounds, place the rounds in a jar and pour the oil over the top. Give as a gift with a fresh baguette.
- When the cheese is gone, use the oil for dipping bread. Yum!
- Use the oil to drizzle over grilled chicken.
This marinated goat cheese is wonderful on warm crusty baguette slices but crackers are also delicious. I love to add a little bowl of toasted pine nuts on the side for a nice little crunch and added layer of flavor.
This marinated goat cheese will keep for up to a week refrigerated, but you probably won't have to worry about that as it will go fast!
Café Tips for making this Herb Marinated Goat Cheese
- You can also slice the goat cheese into rounds before marinating. Use a sharp knife that's been sprayed with cooking spray or use fishing line to cut the cheese.
- Most larger grocery stores carry logs of goat cheese. Sometimes it's also called chèvre.
- Use a good quality olive oil for this recipe. I really like Colavita Premium for a good quality grocery store olive oil. I also use Costco's Kirkland brand (which btw, is recommended by Samin Nosrat, the highly esteemed chef and author of the book (and documentary)Â "Salt Fat Acid Heat".
- I use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for this recipe. Look for the prettiest, brightest red jars when purchasing sun-dried tomatoes.
- Have you noticed that lemons can be ridiculously expensive? My local grocery store charges anywhere from 89 cents to $1.29, yikes! I always pick up a bag or two of lemons when I'm at Trader Joe's. They're much more reasonably priced, they're also small (nice for garnishes) and super juicy. Plus I love having a pretty bowl of lemons on my counter - it's like having a little sunshine in my kitchen (without having to rob a bank).
- This Herb Marinated Goat Cheese needs at least an hour to do its thing but you can make it a day or two in advance. Just pull it out of the fridge around 45 minutes before serving.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear other’s results and ideas for variations.
Thought for the day:
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts,
and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 28:7
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.

- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoon finely minced fresh herbs divided (see the post above for herb options)
- 2 tablespoon finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic halved and sliced paper-thin
- half of a small lemon halved and thinly sliced
- ÂĽ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 ounce log goat cheese
- toasted pine nuts for garnish (optional)
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Combine olive oil, half of the fresh herbs, half of the sun-dried tomatoes, the garlic, lemon slices and salt in a small bowl or ramekin, (just big enough to hold the log of goat cheese).
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Combine the reserved herbs and sun-dried tomatoes and spread them to an even layer on a cutting board. Roll the goat cheese log in the herbs and pat gently so they adhere.
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Place the goat cheese into the oil mixture and spoon some of the oil over the cheese. Allow the goat cheese to marinate for an hour at room temperature or several hours in the refrigerator. Spoon some of the oil over the cheese several times while it marinates.
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Sprinkle the cheese with a bit of sea salt and the pine nuts. Serve at room temperature with crackers, crostini or thickly cut baguette slices.
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You can make this appetizer a day or two in advance. Cover it with plastic wrap then pull it out of the fridge around 45 minutes before serving.
See Café Tips above in post for more detailed instructions and tips.
For crostini, cut into half-inch slices and brush lightly with oil. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until just started to turn golden.
To toast the pine nuts, place them in a small pan over medium low heat with ½ teaspoon butter. Stir frequently until starting to turn golden. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
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Kayc Carper says
Do you have a suggestion for another type of cheese?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Kayc, this recipe was designed for goat cheese. I don't think that there's another type of cheese that would yield similar results.
Becky says
I, too, look to make this at Christmas gathering!
This will be perfect! Thank you for all of your great recipes and tips!Happy Holidays!
Chris Scheuer says
Enjoy, Becky! Happy Holidays to you!
Joni says
Not being a fan of goat cheese, I was hesitant to try this recipe. I absolutely LOVE this combination of flavors and so did my guests. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! Thanks so much for sharing your review, Joni. I'm so happy you all enjoyed it!
Donna says
Hello Chris, my family are not big fans of goat cheese, but was wondering if you have ever tired a brick of cream cheese instead?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Donna, I haven't tried this with cream cheese. It's kind of interesting though, it seems that a lot of the "goat cheese" flavor is mellowed with the marinading.
Tricia B says
This looks like the perfect appetizer to me too Chris! Olive oil, cheese and bread - one of my all time favorite combinations. Looking forward to the next get together so I can make this recipe!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I won't be able to wait for some occasion to make this. I am a huge goat cheese lover, so I'm going to try this one at the first opportunity 🙂 Looks fabulous!
Vicki says
I will be making this for our next life group meeting! Where are the cute blue and white plates from??
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Vicki, I found this great company called Mothology. I'm crazy about blue and white and they have some of the prettiest stuff for very reasonable pricing. They also send you coupons and free shipping offers. Their ceramics come very well protected and their shipping is super fast!
https://www.mothology.com/ceramics/
Liz says
I'm hosting our dinner club next weekend this is the perfect, easy starter!! Delish!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Liz! I think you'll love it!
Patti says
This looks amazing, making today! Where’s the cutting board from?
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Patti! I picked up the cutting board at HomeGoods. It's a lazy susan too so it's really nice for entertaining. Hope you enjoy the appetizer!