Marinated Mozzarella

Fresh, ripe mozzarella in a pouch with whey is so wonderfully creamy and tangy, you can enjoy it on its own. However, it has a short shelf life. This recipe for marinated mozzarella uses the harder variety of mozz, which lasts longer. As a result, you can infuse it with herby, spicy flavors using our easy-to-prepare marinade.

Marinated mozzarella is always a popular appetizer. It looks sophisticated and tastes indulgent. If you have more than one gathering coming up, or you’re expecting a succession of guests over the holiday season, you can even make a jarful and keep it in the refrigerator.

Ingredients for Marinated Mozzarella

• Olive oil: For the fullest flavor, get the best olive oil you can find, like a cold-pressed extra virgin oil.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: Discard the oil, then rough-chop the tomatoes.
• Parsley: Minced fresh parsley gives a pleasant, herby fragrance to the cheese mix.
• Red pepper flakes: Adding crushed red pepper flakes gives a slow-building heat.
• Dried basil: Mozzarella and basil is a classic pairing.
• Minced chives: Fine-chopped chives give that light onion-y aroma.
• Garlic powder: A hint of garlic rounds out the flavors in the marinade.
• Mozzarella cheese: Cut hard mozzarella cheese into cubes, or use the small fresh mozzarella balls in whey.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients and marinate

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In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, crush red pepper, basil, chives and garlic powder. Stir to mix, add the cheese cubes, then stir again to coat the cheese evenly. Cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Allow the marinated mozzarella to come back to room temperature before serving, as this will make the oil smoother and revive the aromas and flavors.

Julia Hartbeck for Taste Recipes

Marinated Mozzarella Variations

• Add citrus: If you want a tangy marinade, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some grated lemon zest.
• Go fresh: You can use fresh basil and minced fresh garlic cloves if you want to release those essential oils, as nature intended.
• Make it in a jar: For a more visually appealing piece for the table, add the contents to a clear jar for marinating. Pick out the cheese cubes with a toothpick.

How to Store Marinated Mozzarella

Particularly if you’re using the jar variation above, you can refrigerate any leftover marinated mozzarella for up to five days. Just be aware that the oil will become more viscous when it’s cold, and the flavors will dull.

Can I make marinated mozzarella ahead of time?

A marinated mozzarella recipe like this one will always benefit from extra time to let those flavors, well, marinate. Make it the night before and leave it to sit in the refrigerator.

Marinated Mozzarella Tips

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What can I serve with marinated mozzarella cheese?

These cheese cubes are great for adding to an antipasto platter of ham, salami and olives. You can also enjoy them with crusty bread, crackers or bruschetta—or simply grab a toothpick and gobble them one by one.

What type of mozzarella do I need?

If your grocery store has the hard, low-moisture mozzarella typically sold in the U.S., that’s the one this recipe is designed for. If you want to make a version to share straight away, you can try a creamy fresh mozzarella in whey. Make sure it’s not too ripe, though, or it will fall apart in the marinade.

What alternatives to mozzarella can I try?

The choice of mozzarella is based on the fact that it’s a light but creamy cheese. You could marinate other hard cheeses, such as provolone, Gouda, edam or even cheddar. You could also try a crumbly cheese like feta, but after just a few bites, their heaviness might slow your progress!