This easy 5-minute marinated feta recipe combines cubes of creamy feta cheese with olive oil, herbs, garlic, and lemon zest for a flavorful appetizer or salad topper.

Homemade marinated feta cheese in a bowl with olive oil and herbs, served with crostini and crackers.

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This 5-minute marinated feta cheese recipe is one of those quick-prep dishes that instantly makes everything taste fancier.

Creamy cubes of feta soak in olive oil, garlic, dried herbs, crushed red pepper, and a pop of lemon zest for brightness. The result is savory, tangy, and irresistible. The marinated feta and seasoned oil are perfect for spooning over salads, spreading on crostini, or tossing with quinoa bowls.

I didn’t even discover feta cheese until I was an adult making a recipe for feta-stuffed chicken breasts—one I still make regularly to this day. That recipe used crumbled tomato basil feta, and it sparked my love for this salty, aged cheese.

Since then, I’ve found so many ways to enjoy it, like in my Greek Salad in a Jar, part of my regular lunch meal prep rotation, and eventually realized I could infuse feta with my own flavors.

This easy marinade gives feta a bold, Mediterranean flair. It’s absolutely fantastic on everything, and when the cheese is gone, the leftover olive oil makes a stellar salad dressing or drizzle for roasted veggies.

Marinated feta served on a party tray with crostini and crackers.

Why You’ll Love This Marinated Feta Cheese

Quick and easy: Just 5 minutes of prep time and a few hours of marinating.
Packed with Mediterranean flavor: Garlic, herbs, crushed red pepper, and lemon zest create a beautiful balance of tangy, savory, and bright.
Versatile: Delicious as an appetizer, over salad, or as part of a mezze or charcuterie board.
Doubles as a dressing: The leftover oil and herbs make a flavorful vinaigrette.

Marinated feta in a bowl with olive oil and lots of herbs and crushed red pepper.

Love easy marinated appetizers? Try my Marinated Mozzarella Balls or Marinated Olives. Both are simple, flavorful and perfect for parties.

Ingredients Needed for Marinated Feta

Feta cheese block (in brine)
Extra virgin olive oil
Garlic cloves
Lemon zest
Dried oregano
Dried basil
Dried thyme
Crushed red pepper flakes

All the ingredients needed to make marinated feta, including dried oregano, basil and thyme, garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, feta in brine, and extra virgin olive oil.

Ingredient Notes

Feta in brine: Always choose a block of feta cheese in brine, not crumbled. It’s creamier, more flavorful, and holds its shape in the olive oil marinade.

Olive oil: Since this recipe for marinated feta relies heavily on olive oil, use a good-quality extra virgin one. It gives the feta its smooth texture and rich flavor.

Garlic: Thinly sliced garlic slowly infuses the oil without overpowering the feta. Mincing works too, but sliced cloves look pretty in the jar.

Lemon zest: This small touch adds so much freshness and brightness. The citrusy hint really lifts the flavors of the feta cheese and olive oil.

Dried herbs: Oregano, basil, and thyme give that classic Mediterranean taste. I love using dried herbs here for simplicity. They’re always in my pantry and bring plenty of flavor. You can use fresh herbs instead; just triple the amount.

Crushed red pepper flakes: Optional, but adds a pleasant kick that balances the richness.

Cubes of marinated feta cheese and herby, garlicky olive oil spread on a piece of bread.

How to Marinate Feta Cheese

Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.

If you’ve ever wondered how to marinate feta cheese, you’ll be happy to know it’s incredibly simple:

Cut the feta: Slice a block of feta into ¼–½ inch cubes. Use the sharpest knife you have for clean cuts that don’t crumble.
Add to a jar or bowl: Place the feta in a glass jar with a lid or a medium bowl.
Add flavor: Sprinkle in the sliced garlic, lemon zest, herbs, and crushed red pepper.
Pour in olive oil: Add enough to completely cover the feta (about ¾ cup).
Combine: Gently stir, or if you’re using a jar, flip it upside down and back a few times to coat the feta evenly.
Marinate: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the herbs and garlic to infuse the olive oil and feta.

Showing the steps to make marinated feta in a tall jar, by adding the feta cut into cubes, followed by dried herbs and red pepper flakes, sliced garlic and lemon zest, then pouring olive oil in to cover the cheese.

Homemade marinated feta in olive oil with herbs served with crackers. There's a garlic bulb and lemon on the wood tray next to this simple appetizer.

Recipe Notes

Store marinated feta cheese in the refrigerator and use within 1 week because it contains fresh garlic.
Olive oil will solidify when chilled, so set it out for about 30 minutes before serving.
Once the feta’s gone, the leftover feta olive oil makes a delicious dressing or drizzle for salads, grain bowls, or grilled chicken.

I love having a jar in the fridge for quick lunches and easy entertaining.

Crostini and crackers on a tray surrounding a bowl of marinated feta.

Need another crowd-pleasing appetizer? My Olive Cheese Bread is warm, melty, and bursting with flavor. In my house, it’s a must-make for game day.

Ways to Use Marinated Feta Cheese

This feta cheese in olive oil and herbs works in so many ways:

Spread on crostini or crackers for a simple appetizer.
Add to Greek or Mediterranean salads for flavor and texture.
Serve alongside charcuterie or antipasto boards.
Spoon over chicken or roasted vegetables for a Mediterranean twist. (It’s a great finishing touch to these easy pan-seared chicken tenders.)
Toss with quinoa or pasta and drizzle the herby oil over top for a quick, fresh meal.

Marinated feta cheese being served with toasted bread and crackers. Behind the feta are small bowls of herbs.

Love herby olive oil flavors? Don’t miss my Restaurant-Style Bread Dipping Oil, another easy, flavorful appetizer filled with garlic and herbs.

More Feta Cheese Recipes

Flavorful Greek Orzo Salad – A fresh and colorful pasta salad with feta, crisp veggies, and a light lemon-olive oil dressing.
Greek Salad Skewers – Bite-size skewers layered with feta, cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives for an easy, mess-free appetizer.
Greek Salad in a Jar – My go-to meal prep lunch! Layers of crisp veggies, olives, and feta cheese topped with tangy Greek dressing.
Mediterranean Salad in a Jar – A vibrant, make-ahead salad featuring feta, chickpeas, quinoa and a simple herbed vinaigrette.
Feta-Stuffed Chicken – Juicy chicken breasts filled with seasoned feta cheese for an easy, flavorful dinner that’s always a hit.

Marinated Feta Cheese