Herb Marinated Goat Cheese

Herb Marinated Goat Cheese with olive oil, garlic, capers, dill and chives is perfect for parties. Great with crackers or crostini!

When it comes to putting out a cheese plate for a dinner party, picnic or happy hour at home it is fun to switch things up a bit from the standard hard cheeses and serve your guests a soft cheese.

There are some pre-made cheeses that are great for this, like Boursin. But the recipe I’m sharing with you today, Herb Marinated Goat Cheese, is so full of flavor and so easy to make that it will rival even your favorite soft cheeses.

I just adore the tanginess of goat cheese. And when it is paired with fresh herbs, capers, garlic and olive oil it makes the perfect soft cheese appetizer for your next get together. Whether you serve it on crusty french bread or buttery crackers it is sure to be a hit!

Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make it. 

Herb Marinated Goat Cheese: 

GOAT CHEESE: You’ll need a log of goat cheese for this recipe. They are usually sold in 4 – 8 ounce packages. I used 4 ounces but you could also easily use 8 if you have a larger crowd. 

• EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL: For the best flavor the highest quality olive oil you have for this recipe. 
• GARLIC: While I’m usually a proponent of “the more garlic the better” you’ll only want to use 1 clove for this recipe because it’s raw. Using too much garlic will overpower the other flavors. 
• CAPERS: Capers are the bud of a flower and one of my favorite ways to add briny flavor to Mediterranean recipes. 
• FRESH DILL: Fresh dill will add a bright flavor to the cheese and pairs really well with the capers. 
• FRESH CHIVES: Add a subtle oniony flavor. 

Step by Step Photos and Instructions: 

Making this Marinated Goat Cheese is really easy! The hardest part will probably be slicing the goat cheese as it can be a bit challenging to get clean cuts. Make sure the cheese is cold and you use a very sharp knife. You can also use dental floss. This article from The Kitchen will help. 

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• STEP #1: Slice the goat cheese into thin slices. About 6 – 8 slices if you’re using 4 ounces. Place onto a small serving dish. Some overlapping is OK.  
• STEP #2: Whisk together olive oil, garlic, dill and chives. 
• STEP #3: Pour the mixture over the goat cheese. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you are going to eat it right away no need to refrigerate but if you’re making this a few hours in advance, refrigerate it. 
• STEP #4: Remove from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature before serving with crackers or crostini. 

Storage and Leftovers: 

Goat cheese needs to be stored in the refrigerator. Storing olive oil in the refrigerator will cause it to coagulate but once it comes to room temperature again it will liquify.

Guys, I could eat this all day everyday. Give me a crisp cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc, this and some crusty bread and that is my idea of a perfect summer afternoon snack.

If you love the tangy, creaminess of goat cheese check out my other goat cheese recipes: 

Baked Goat Cheese with Tomatoes Sweet roasted tomatoes, garlic and goat cheese make a flavorful addition to any party!

Cranberry Goat Cheese Log makes a great addition to your holiday table!

Fig and Goat Cheese Bites are party perfect!

Note: Originally published in 2017. Updated in 2024 with new photos, an improved recipe and nutrition information.