Zesty Green Olive & Feta Spread Recipe: A Mediterranean
Tangy feta cheese meets briny green olives in a spread that dances across your palate with Mediterranean flair.
Bursting with robust flavors, this green olive and feta cheese spread promises to be your new favorite appetizer.
Bold and vibrant, the combination delivers a punch of salty goodness that awakens every taste bud.
Creamy feta provides a rich backdrop for the zesty olives, creating a harmony of textures and tastes.
The spread comes together effortlessly, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.
Perfect for casual gatherings or a quick snack, this recipe transforms ordinary crackers or bread into an extraordinary culinary experience.
Dive into this delightful spread and let your senses embark on a delicious Mediterranean journey.
How to Blend and Chill This Olive-Feta Dip
Green Olive Paradise
Creamy Cheese Dream A magical fusion of soft cream cheese, tangy mayonnaise, and crumbly feta creates a luxurious base that melts in your mouth. Use your food processor to transform these ingredients into a silky smooth landscape of flavor.
Secret Spice Symphony Sprinkle onion and garlic powders into the creamy mixture. These hidden flavor warriors will dance through every single bite, adding depth and excitement to your spread.
Olive Adventure Green olives join the party, bringing a salty, zesty personality that transforms the spread from ordinary to extraordinary. Gently fold them into the mixture, allowing their vibrant essence to weave through the creamy foundation.
Liquid Magic Touch A splash of olive brine can elevate your spread from delicious to mind-blowing. Add a tablespoon and taste, letting your palate guide you toward the perfect moisture and tang. This final flourish makes the spread uniquely yours.
Tips to Balance Salty, Tangy, and
Olive Zest Boosters: Mix in chopped fresh dill or parsley for an herbal punch that brightens the spread's Mediterranean profile.
Texture Twist: Pulse the olives roughly instead of folding them for a chunkier, more rustic spread that adds delightful bite and visual interest.
Spice Adventure: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of smoked paprika to introduce a subtle heat that complements the salty feta and olives.
Serving Style Shuffle: Transform this spread from a dip to a versatile condiment by using it as a sandwich spread, stuffing into cherry tomatoes, or dolloping on grilled fish or chicken.
Ways to Serve With Crackers or Toast
Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the spread on a rustic wooden board surrounded by an array of crisp crackers, toasted baguette slices, and fresh vegetable sticks for a stunning appetizer centerpiece.
Mediterranean Mezze Magic: Serve alongside warm pita bread, cucumber rounds, and kalamata olives to create an authentic Mediterranean-style appetizer experience that transports guests to a sunny coastal restaurant.
Gourmet Sandwich Spread: Use this creamy mixture as a luxurious sandwich spread for grilled chicken, turkey wraps, or as a zesty layer in Mediterranean-inspired paninis for a quick and delicious lunch upgrade.
Veggie Dip Delight: Use as a rich dipping sauce for raw bell peppers, carrot sticks, celery, and cherry tomatoes, transforming ordinary vegetables into an irresistible snack that's both flavorful and nutritious.
How to Store This Spread Without Drying Out
Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your Green Olive and Feta Cheese Spread sealed tightly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness. It maintains optimal taste and quality for 5-7 days.
Chilling Strategy: After preparing the spread, allow it to cool completely before refrigerating. Cold temperatures help ingredients meld together, enhancing overall flavor complexity.
Serving Temperature Tips: Remove the spread from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving. Letting it sit at room temperature softens the texture and allows deeper flavor notes to emerge.
Freezing Wisdom: While possible to freeze, the texture might change slightly upon thawing. If freezing, use a freezer-safe container and consume within one month for best quality. Gently stir after thawing to restore original consistency.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time:
Total Time: 15 minutes
Calories: 171 kcal
Servings: 9
What Goes Into Green Olive and Feta Cheese Spread
For Creamy Base:
Cream Cheese: Provides a luxurious, velvety foundation that binds the spread together with its rich, tangy profile.
Mayonnaise: Adds silky smoothness and helps create a light, spreadable texture that glides effortlessly.
Feta Cheese: Introduces a sharp, salty kick that elevates the entire flavor landscape of the spread.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Onion Powder: Delivers a subtle, aromatic depth without the harsh bite of fresh onions.
Garlic Powder: Infuses a robust, savory essence that complements the creamy base beautifully.
Olive Brine: Optional liquid that intensifies the briny, Mediterranean character of the spread.
For Texture and Accent:
Green Olives: Bring a vibrant, salty crunch and distinctive Mediterranean charm to the spread, creating exciting flavor bursts in every bite.
Tools for Mixing and Presenting Savory Cheese Spreads
Food Processor: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy base and blending ingredients thoroughly.
Measuring Spoons: Perfect for precise spice measurements to balance flavors.
Spatula: Helpful for folding olives into the mixture and scraping down processor sides.
Mixing Bowl: Useful for optional consistency adjustments and final mixing.
Colander: Needed to drain green olives before adding to the spread.
Mediterranean-inspired green olive and feta cheese spread delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in minutes. Crumbly feta and briny olives combine for a simple, irresistible appetizer you can enjoy with crusty bread or crisp vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
4 oz (113 g) feta cheese, crumbled
6 oz (170 g) green olives with pimento, drained
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
3 tbsps (45 ml) olive brine (optional)
Instructions
Blend Base: Whip cream cheese, mayonnaise, and feta in a food processor until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
Season Mixture: Integrate onion and garlic powders by pulsing briefly, distributing seasonings uniformly throughout the creamy foundation.
Incorporate Olives: Drain green olives and gently fold into the mixture, maintaining olive texture while evenly dispersing them throughout the spread.
Adjust Consistency: Modulate spread’s texture by cautiously adding olive brine, creating desired moisture and flavor intensity.
Finalize and Chill: Transfer spread to serving bowl, smoothing surface with a spatula, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor complexity and allow ingredients to harmonize before serving with accompaniments like crackers, toasted bread, or fresh vegetable sticks.
Notes
Drain Olives Completely: Excess moisture can make the spread watery, so pat green olives dry with paper towels to maintain a creamy, spreadable consistency.
Cheese Temperature Matters: Ensure cream cheese and feta are at room temperature for smoother blending and easier mixing without lumps.
Customize Seasoning Carefully: Adjust onion and garlic powders incrementally to prevent overpowering the delicate olive and cheese flavors.
Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerating for at least 30 minutes allows ingredients to blend, creating a more complex and harmonious taste profile.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.