Quick and easy feta cheese dip is delicious with vegetable sticks, crackers, crisps or pretzels. A perfect party appetiser or snack.
Dairy festivals
When we think of ‘dairy’ festivals, the one that first comes to mind is of course Shavuot. With its menu of cheesecake, blintzes, cream scones and cheese strudel, its credentials as a feast of dairy foods are well established.
However the other, less-well-known dairy festival on the Jewish calendar is Chanukah. People have eaten delicious cheesy treats on the festival for centuries. They commemorate the part that awesome Jewish heroine Yehudit (Judith) played in overthrowing the Greek forces and liberating the Temple.
If you’d like to read more about Yehudit’s story, there are lots more details in this post about delicious feta cheese pancakes!
Looking for ideas to help make Chanukah extra special? My Ultimate Family Chanukah ebook is available now! It’s packed with resources, recipes, family activities, information and printables for every night of the festival.
Feta cheese dip
This year, I decided to make this quick and easy feta cheese dip to share with my family on Chanukah. It only has two main ingredients so it’s ready in moments! It makes a light and refreshing change from fried foods like latkes. And it’s still a traditional way to celebrate the festival!
All about Feta cheese
Feta cheese is one of my favourite cheeses for several reasons.
- It’s made with sheep’s milk, or a mixture of sheep’s and goat’s milk, so is easier to digest than a lot of cow’s milk cheeses (for me at least).
- It has a delicious tangy, savoury, salty flavour.
- It’s super versatile. Use it ‘raw’ in salads, sandwiches and cold dishes, or cooked in omelettes, toasties, and savoury bakes and pies. It’s also good crumbled over risottos, roasted vegetables, fajitas etc. So many uses!
Feta has been produced in Greece for many hundreds of years. The first mention of this type of cheese is in a document from the 8th Century!
What’s in a name?
Feta cheese received PDO status in 2002. This means that similar cheeses produced outside of Greece must be labelled as ‘feta style’ or else named something else altogether. There are numerous other very similar cheeses available.
If you can’t find feta to make this cheese dip, look out for ‘Greek style salad cheese’ or something along those lines.
In Israel and other countries, a cheese almost indistinguishable from feta is made and sold as ‘Bulgarian cheese’. However in Bulgaria (and other places) this cheese is simply called ‘white cheese’.
As long as you have a firm, white, young cheese that has been brined for several months, you should be able to proceed with this recipe for feta cheese dip!
Toppings and garnishes
I drizzled my feta cheese dip with some extra virgin olive oil and added a sprinkle of za’atar. However, there are lots of different toppings and garnishes that go really well with this dip.
If you don’t have za’atar, you can sprinkle red pepper flakes, something Mediterranean like herbs de Provence, chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, or the garnish of your choice. Or just serve it plain – it’s still delicious!
And if you like sweet/salty combinations, you can add a drizzle of honey instead of the olive oil. Strong flavoured honeys like pine or eucalyptus are particularly delicious.
How to serve feta cheese dip
This feta cheese dip is perfect as a starter, for scooping onto cut up vegetables and crudités, chips or pretzels. You can also serve it as a spread with crackers or fresh bread.
You can also make Feta cheese dip into part of a main meal. It is delicious in a jacket potato, on toast or in a sandwich, perhaps with some slices of cucumber, tomato or red onion.
Feta cheese dip can even be used it to dress up steamed veggies – simply dollop it on the top, and serve! Or stir a little into a risotto, a chunky soup or even some plain rice or couscous for a delicious flavour.
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📖 Recipe
Feta cheese dip
Ingredients
- 100 g feta cheese
- 100 g plain goats' milk yogurt (or other plain unsweetened yogurt)
- pinch ground black pepper
- olive oil & za'atar to serve (optional)
Instructions
- 100 g (3½ oz) feta cheeseCut or crumble the feta into small pieces and place in a bowl.
- 100 g (6½ tbsp) plain goats' milk yogurt (or other plain unsweetened yogurt)Add the yogurt and mix and mash to thoroughly combine.
- pinch ground black pepperSeason with the pepper to taste.
- olive oil & za'atar to serve (optional)Transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle with a little olive oil and spinkle over some za'atar if desired. Serve!
Notes
Nutrition
More delicious recipes with feta
If you want more delicious recipes using feta cheese, check out this caramelised onion and feta tart, quick courgette and cherry tomato pasta with feta and this delicious fragrant beetroot risotto topped with herby feta.
More delicious Chanukah recipes
If you’re after more savoury Chanukah recipes, how about delicious oven-fried potato latkes, or tasty carrot and sweetcorn fritters.
I’m joining in with #CookBlogShare.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
What a wonderful dip! I am a huge feta fan so I know I would love this! Eb 🙂
Helen
Thanks Eb. I love feta too – so tasty in everything!
Jo Keohane
OOOh this is right up my street, love feta dip and this is so so easy. Brilliant recipe, thanks for sharing.
Helen
Thanks Jo! So glad you enjoyed it.
Corina Blum
I’ve never made a dip with feta cheese before but I do like the sound of this, especially with the za’atar on top!
Helen
Thanks Corina – it’s a really great combination.
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist
Oh Yes! This sounds amazing, I can almost taste the zing from the Feta. Great idea to use it in a dip xx
Helen
Thanks Kate! Yes, it’s zingy and delicious. I do love a good dip 🙂
Janice
Absolutely gorgeous! I love feta and this is such a great recipe.
Helen
Thanks Janice. I’m a big feta fan too – so yummy!
Nickki
This looks delicious – definitely going to give it a try!
Helen
Thanks Nickki, I hope you enjoy it!
Carrie Carvalho
Chips and dip is one of my favourite food groups! This is such a simple but tasty treat – perfect with some crudités.
Helen
LOL! I hear where you’re coming from Carrie 🙂
Glad you enjoyed this simple but delicious dip.
Choclette
Love the simplicity of this dip. Only two ingredients but it sounds so delicious. I’ve never made a dip with feta cheese before (or at least not in recent memory)! And real feta cheese is so so good. Pairing it with sheep or goat yoghurt is a great idea too.
Helen
Thanks Choclette. If you like feta, you’ll love this! It’s so moreish and delicious.
Chloe
Looks great, its so good to try something different that isn’t hummus too! Variety being the spice of life and all that!
Helen
Thanks Chloe. Humous does seem to hog the dip limelight rather! This is definitely a good contender for alternative dip option.
Jacqui – Recipes Made Easy:Only Crumbs Remain
Perfect simple and delicious. I’m adding this to this week #CookBlogShare round up.
Helen
Thanks Jacqui! So pleased you like it 🙂
Paula
Sorry. Meant
Thank you Helen for the recipe!
Helen
Thanks Paula! I love feta in a Greek salad too, but it’s nice to make something different for a change. Glad you like this too 🙂
Paula
Thank you Rebecca!
Tried this….Delicious
But it’s the same as Labneh!
Keep the feta for the Greek Salad💕
Rebecca - Glutarama
What a simple yet elegant dish, I love what I call ‘picky’ foods where you have dips and little tastes of delicious morsels, this kind of food is right up my street.
Helen
Thanks Rebecca – me too! Our work-at-home lunch every day is just that, lots of bits and pieces to choose from and dip into. Yum!
Kat (The Baking Explorer)
This looks like creamy dip heaven!
Helen
Thanks Kat! It is!!
Sarah Holt
I love feta cheese, this dip just sounds like it would be amazing with anything dipped in!
Helen
Thanks Sarah! I’ll be honest, everything I’ve dunked in it so far has been delicious!
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery
YUM! Love feta cheese, its the only dairy I really miss! This dip looks fab!
Helen
Thanks Midge! Tastes fab too… sorry….
Shelley
As always, so many great tips and little historical tidbits … but you REALLY had me at “2 ingredients”! Simple and delicious – in no time! So many great ideas for using it as more than just a dip, too – like with roasted veggies and fajitas (YUM)!
Helen
Thanks Shelley! I really appreciate this feedback – makes me happy that people are enjoying what I write as well as what I cook 😀
Abi
This is just the best dip ever. I love it so much!
Helen
Thanks Abi – me too! So quick and yummy.
Charla
I have a chick flick night that I’m arranging with my sister in law and we will try your dip. Thank you!
Helen
Sounds fun! I hope you both like it (and the movie!)
Alisa Infanti
I made this for card nights with the family with some roasted pitas and it was a hit!
Helen
Thanks Alisa. Pita is perfect for dipping! I’m glad your family enjoyed it.
Kushigalu
Drooling over this delicious dip. Cant wait to try this out for my family. Great recipe
Helen
Thanks Kushigalu. I hope you enjoy it 🙂