Goat Cheese Appetizer with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil

Make our Sun-dried tomato and goat cheese appetizer and bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your next gathering.

Whether it is for a holiday gathering or a backyard barbeque, our family can not get enough of this dip. Originally shared with me at a pizza party, when the creamy goat cheese soaks up the balsamic vinegar and garlic, my Italian taste buds are happy, happy, happy.

How to make for our delicious goat cheese appetizer recipe

Supplies needed:

• Cutting board and sharp knife or kitchen shears (I used my Target kitchen shears here but I just ordered THESE and can’t wait to try them out. I will report back!!!)
• Serving dish (I love this enamel tray)

Ingredients:

• Log of Goat Cheese, about 10 oz.
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1-3 teaspoons dried garlic and salt

Instructions for goat cheese dip recipe:

1. Place the log of goat cheese in a medium-sized serving dish and separate it into 1/2-inch chunks.

​2. Scatter sun-dried tomatoes over the cheese.

3. You can use a knife and cutting board, but I gather the basil leaves into a bunch and then cut strips of basil with a pair of good, clean kitchen shears.

4. Scatter pine nuts over the top of your goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil.

5. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and then olive oil over the top of the cheese.

​6. Here, I have used a dried garlic and salt mix that I ground over the top of the appetizer. We love salt AND garlic, so we give it a solid amount over the top.

7. Mix and serve with sliced mini baguette slices, toasted baguettes, french bread cubes, crusty bread, or your favorite crackers. 

We serve with a small spoon so that the tangy goat cheese and strong balsamic vinegar gets in every bite.

Substitution and variation ideas for easy appetizers:

• Use softened cream cheese instead of creamy goat cheese.
• ​Roll the cheese into smaller goat cheese balls.
• Use herbed goat cheese.
• Substitute fresh rosemary for the fresh basil.
• Add a bit of sweetness with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup over the top of your perfect appetizer. 
• Use a balsamic glaze instead of balsamic vinegar for a sweeter, more intense flavor. 
• Add some fresh black pepper.
• Our Mediterranean-inspired easy goat cheese appetizer is a great addition to a charcuterie board or cheese board. 

The simple ingredients make for an easy last minute delicious recipe that you can whip together in 10 minutes or less. Easy Entertaining at its best! 

​Be sure to save this recipe by pinning it to your appetizer board, and let us know in the comments how you dressed up your soft goat cheese. 

See some of our other favorite appetizers here: 7-Layer Greek Dip, Brie Puff Pastry Bites, and Christmas Charcuterie Board.

Goat Cheese Appetizer with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Basil

Yield: 12 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Make our Sun-dried tomato and goat cheese appetizer and bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your next gathering.

Whether it is for a holiday gathering or a backyard barbeque, our family can not get enough of this dip. Originally shared with me at a pizza party, when the creamy goat cheese soaks up the balsamic vinegar and garlic, my Italian taste buds are happy, happy, happy.

Print

Ingredients

• 10 oz log of Goat Cheese
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1-3 teaspoons dried garlic and salt

Instructions

1. Place the log of goat cheese in a medium-sized serving dish and separate it into 1/2-inch chunks.
2. Scatter sun-dried tomatoes over the cheese.
3. You can use a knife and cutting board, but I gather the
   basil leaves into a bunch and then cut strips of basil with a pair of good,
   clean kitchen shears.
4. Scatter pine nuts over the top of your goat
   cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil.
5. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and then olive
   oil over the top of the cheese.
6. ​Here, I have used a dried garlic and salt mix that I
   ground over the top of the appetizer. We love salt AND garlic, so we give it a
   solid amount over the top.
7. Mix and serve with sliced mini baguette slices,
   toasted baguettes, french bread cubes, crusty bread, or your favorite
   crackers.