Feta Cheese: Best Food Pairings You Need To Try

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, from salads to baked goods and appetisers. It is a Greek cheese made from sheep's milk and is known for its salty and tangy flavour. Feta is often associated with Greek salads, but it can be used in a variety of dishes beyond that. So, what is feta cheese best paired with?

Explore related products

Athenos Traditional Crumbled Feta Cheese (4 oz Tub)

$2.84

365 Everyday Value, Feta Cheese Block, 1 lb

$7.99

365 Everyday Value, Feta Cheese Crumbles, 6 oz

$4.79

Mt Vikos, Organic Feta Cheese, 6 oz

$8.49

Mt Vikos Sheep and Goat Milk Feta, 7 oz

$8.22

Athenos Chunk Traditional Feta Cheese (8 oz Tub)

$5.29

Feta cheese with fruit

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with a variety of fruits to create delicious and refreshing dishes. Here are some ideas for combining feta cheese with fruit:

Fruit and Feta Salads

Feta cheese pairs well with sweet and juicy fruits in salads. Try making a berry salad with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, topped with crumbled feta. The salty and tangy feta creates a perfect balance with the sweet berries. You can also add nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds for an extra crunch and flavour. For a vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, and honey.

Another option is to make a watermelon, mint, and feta salad. The sweetness of the watermelon is complemented by the saltiness of feta, creating a refreshing and juicy dish. This salad is especially satisfying if you enjoy sweet and savoury combinations. Don't forget to drizzle some balsamic glaze for added acidity.

Fruit, Walnut, and Feta Salad

For a heartier salad, combine lettuce, fruits of your choice, walnuts, and feta cheese. The tart cranberries pair perfectly with the sweet fruit and salty feta. You can also add other vegetables to this salad. Serve it with a balsamic vinaigrette for a perfect side dish or light meal.

Greek-Style Fruit and Feta Combinations

In Greece, feta is a staple on every table, and it is often paired with lathera, which are vegetables cooked in olive oil and tomato sauce. Try adding feta to Greek-style peas, beans, or scrambled eggs with tomato. Olives are also a classic pairing with feta, providing a salty and savoury flavour profile.

Flatbread Toppings

Create a delicious flatbread by topping it with grape tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, and crumbled feta. The sweetness of the tomatoes and the salty, nutty flavours create a harmonious combination. Pair this flatbread with a glass of Chianti for a true Mediterranean experience.

Feta cheese with vegetables

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with many different foods, including vegetables. In the Mediterranean diet, feta is often consumed with vegetables cooked in olive oil and tomato sauce, known as "lathera." This combination is a staple of the Greek Mediterranean diet, which includes plenty of vegetable and bean dishes served with feta as the protein source.

Feta cheese is an excellent complement to a variety of vegetables, adding a tangy and salty flavour that enhances the dish without overpowering the other ingredients. When paired with vegetables, feta brings out their earthy and fresh flavours. Some vegetables that pair well with feta include:

• Asparagus
• Red pepper
• Zucchini (courgette)
• Eggplant (aubergine)
• Mushrooms
• Onion
• Chickpeas
• Olives
• Spinach
• Artichoke hearts
• Cucumber

Feta cheese can be added to roasted vegetables for a delicious side dish or tossed with raw vegetables and olive oil, then roasted together for a simple and tasty meal. It can also be crumbled over grilled zucchini salad or baked with broccolini, tomatoes, and lemon for a vegetarian sheet-pan dinner. For a heartier option, feta can be added to a no-bake grilled vegetable lasagna with grilled squash, ricotta, basil, and balsamic vinegar.

In addition to its versatility with vegetables, feta cheese is also commonly paired with bread, crackers, pasta, and various meats and fish. Its unique flavour profile, combining saltiness and tanginess, makes it a popular ingredient in a wide range of dishes.

Feta cheese with meat

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including those with meat. Here are some ideas for pairing feta cheese with meat:

Grilled Chicken Greek Pita Pockets

Stuff grilled chicken into a pita pocket along with artichoke hearts, baby spinach, cucumber, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese. This dish combines the tanginess of feta with the freshness of vegetables and the heartiness of chicken for a well-rounded and flavourful meal.

Chicken Pizza

For a unique twist on a classic, top your pizza with chicken, bacon, onion, and feta cheese. The saltiness of the feta pairs well with the savouriness of chicken and bacon, while the onion adds a touch of sweetness. You can also experiment with other toppings like pineapple, jalapeno, or BBQ sauce to create a customised pizza to your taste.

Greek-Style Quiche

Feta cheese can be incorporated into a Greek-style quiche, along with other cheeses, vegetables, and meat such as ham. The salty and tangy feta complements the other ingredients, creating a balanced and delicious savoury dish.

Grilled Meat and Vegetable Skewers

Create delicious grilled meat and vegetable skewers, using ingredients like steak, chicken, or tofu, paired with vegetables such as zucchini, red peppers, or asparagus. Brush the ingredients with olive oil and season with salt and oregano, then grill to perfection. Serve the skewers with a side of crumbled feta cheese, adding a tangy and creamy dimension to the dish.

Feta-Crusted Meat

For an innovative twist, use feta cheese as a crust or coating for meat dishes. For example, create feta-crusted chicken by coating chicken breasts in a mixture of feta cheese, breadcrumbs, and herbs, then baking or frying until golden. The feta adds a unique flavour and texture to the meat, making it a memorable and mouthwatering option.

Explore related products

Athenos Traditional Reduced Fat Crumbled Feta Cheese (5 oz Tub)

$2.84

KOURELLAS Organic Barrel Aged Feta, 5.3 OZ

$9.99

Kryssos Traditional Feta Cheese, 8 oz

$6.49

Mt Vikos, Barrel-Aged Feta, 6 oz

$8.49

President All Natural Crumbled Feta Cheese, 6 oz

$3.46

Valbreso, Feta Cheese, 7 oz

$9.99

Feta cheese with bread

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. One popular way to enjoy feta cheese is to pair it with bread. Here are some ideas for combining feta cheese with bread:

Feta Cheese Bread

A traditional Greek feta cheese bread, known as "tiropsomo," is a favourite treat that is easy to make and does not require long rising times. The bread combines feta cheese, olive oil, oregano, and bread dough. The feta cheese is crumbled and gently folded into the dough, creating a rustic bread with a crispy exterior and a soft, tender interior. This bread is perfect for soup days, savoury breakfasts, or snacks.

Feta Flatbread

Another option is to make a feta flatbread. This recipe combines feta cheese, mozzarella or provolone, olive oil, oregano, and bread dough. The feta and mozzarella are folded into the dough, creating a delicious cheesy bread that is perfect as an appetizer or table bread. For a twist on this recipe, you can add chopped jalapeños or experiment with different shapes, such as rolls or baguettes.

Savory Muffins

Feta cheese can also be added to savory muffins. Combine feta cheese with various vegetables, such as spinach or zucchini, and bake them into savory muffins. Drizzle honey on top for a sweet and savoury treat. These muffins can be a great addition to a meal or enjoyed as a snack.

Marinated Feta Appetizer

For a simple and delicious appetizer, marinate feta cheese in olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and sun-dried tomatoes. Serve this marinated feta with crusty bread or crackers. This combination is a perfect way to enhance the flavour of the bread without overpowering it.

Feta with Fresh Bread

Sometimes, the simplest combinations are the best. Feta cheese can be enjoyed with fresh bread, especially when paired with good-quality olive oil and herbs. This combination is a favourite in Greece and is often served with meals or as a snack.

Feta cheese with pasta

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes, from salads to baked goods and appetisers. One popular pairing for feta cheese is pasta.

One well-known recipe that combines feta cheese and pasta is the baked feta pasta dish that went viral on TikTok in 2021. The recipe involves baking a block of feta cheese with cherry tomatoes and olive oil until the cheese becomes soft and golden-brown and the tomatoes burst. The baked feta and tomatoes are then tossed with garlic, basil, and cooked pasta to create a creamy, cheesy, and tangy dish. This recipe can be modified to include additional ingredients such as lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and honey to add depth of flavour and balance the acidity of the tomatoes and feta.

Feta cheese can also be added to pasta dishes along with other ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, olives, spinach, and garlic. For a meatier option, cooked chicken, grilled meats, shrimp, salmon, or scallops can be added to the pasta. Feta cheese adds a salty, tangy, and creamy element to pasta dishes, enhancing the flavour of the other ingredients without overpowering them.

When choosing feta cheese for pasta, it is recommended to opt for feta packed in brine, as it tends to be softer and creamier, resulting in a smoother sauce when combined with the pasta. Additionally, using short-cut pasta shapes, such as fusilli, penne, or cavatappi, allows the sauce to be trapped inside each piece of pasta, creating a more cohesive dish.

Frequently asked questions