Description
This Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer with Salami & Pickles is a flavorful and effortless no-cook dish perfect for holidays, parties, or game day. Featuring cubes of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese combined with savory hard salami and tangy baby dill pickles, all tossed in a well-seasoned olive oil and red wine vinegar marinade. It’s quick to prepare, can be made ahead, and offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors that guests will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Meats
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes
- 6 ounces hard salami, cut into bite-sized pieces or folded
Pickles
- ½ cup baby dill pickles or cornichons, sliced or left whole
Marinade
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl or shallow dish, add the cubed sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, hard salami pieces, and baby dill pickles.
- Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Marinate: Pour the marinade over the cheese and salami mixture. Gently toss everything to coat evenly with the marinade.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl or dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure even marination.
- Bring to Room Temperature: About 15–20 minutes before serving, remove from the refrigerator to allow the mixture to come to room temperature, enhancing the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top and serve with toothpicks or skewers alongside crackers or sliced baguette.
Notes
- This appetizer is perfect for holidays, parties, or game day gatherings.
- For variety, swap in pepper jack, gouda, or provolone cheese.
- Serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or include as part of a larger charcuterie board.
- Marinate up to 24 hours ahead to deepen the flavors and save time on event day.
