Marinated Mozzarella Balls with Garlic & Herbs

One opened and one sealed jar of marinated mozzarella balls sitting on a counter.

3.77 from 13 votes

Marinated Mozzarella Balls with Garlic & Herbs

These marinated mozzarella balls are a simple, flavorful appetizer made with garlic, fresh herbs, and creamy cheese in just five minutes. Perfect for charcuterie boards, holiday gatherings, or an everyday snack using real food ingredients you can customize from your garden.

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: French

Keyword: Marinated Cheese, Marinated Cheese Balls, Marinated Mozzarella Balls

Servings: servings

Calories: 111kcal

Author: Melissa Norris

Cost: Varies

Equipment

1 pint sized Mason jar

Ingredients

8 oz soft cheese Or chevre, farmer's cheese, or cream cheese.
1/2 cup sunflower oil Or avocado or grapeseed oil. Olive oil will solidify when chilled, so it will need to be brought to room temperature before serving.
1 teaspoon lemon zest or lime zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice Or use lime juice or ACV.
2 cloves garlic finely minced
1/4 teaspoon sea salt I love Redmond Real Salt. Use code "Pioneering" to receive 15% off.
black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons dried herbs Use about 1/2 teaspoon of individual herbs if using combinations (sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and dill are all favorites over here).

Instructions

Take approximately 1 Tablespoon of cheese and roll it into a ball with your hands (we know you washed your hands first). Place it into the jar and keep on rolling.
When jar is about two inches from the top (aka being full) place your zest, raw garlic, herbs, salt and pepper on top. Don't pack the cheese balls tightly, we want all the flavors to surround them!
Pour your sunflower oil over top of the herbs and cheese balls until they're fully submerged by about a 1/2 inch of oil.
Place a lid on and shake it up a bit so the oil and herbs get all swirled around in there. Doesn't it look pretty?
Put it in the fridge and let it marinate for at least 2 days if possible, but up to a month for a stronger flavor.

Notes

Recipe Tips:

Do not pack the cheese tightly in the jar. The oil and herbs need room to surround each piece so every bite becomes flavorful.
If you choose olive oil and it turns cloudy or firm in the fridge, simply set the jar on the counter for 20 minutes before serving.
Taste the marinade after a few hours and add more salt or herbs if desired.

Serving Suggestions:

Here are plenty of delicious, practical ways to serve marinated mozzarella balls so they shine at any meal or gathering:

Tuck them onto a charcuterie board with cured meats, olives, crusty bread, and sliced apples.
Skewer with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for easy caprese bites.
Toss into warm pasta with honey balsamic Brussels sprouts for a simple supper
Scatter over homemade pizza just before serving.
Use them in this roasted beet salad with goat cheese.
Fold into a cold pasta salad with olives and sun-dried tomatoes
Add to a Mediterranean platter with hummus and flatbread
Spoon a few balls into homemade tomato soup for a creamy garnish

Storage Instructions:

Keep the jar in the refrigerator with the cheese fully submerged in oil. The flavor improves over time and can safely marinate for up to a month. Always use a clean utensil when removing cheese so the jar stays fresh.

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