🧀 Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer with Salami & Pickles

⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes

🔥 Cook Time: None

🍴 Serves: 6–8

⭐ Ingredients

Cheese

• 8 oz (225g) cheddar, Colby Jack, or pepper jack, cut into cubes

• 8 oz (225g) mozzarella or monterey jack, cubed

(Use 1–2 varieties for best flavor.)

Meat

• 4–6 oz (100–150g) salami, sliced into quarters or small pieces

Pickles

• ½ cup dill pickle slices or small spears

• Optional: pickled jalapeños for heat

• Optional: pickled onions for tang

Marinade

• ⅓ cup olive oil

• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar OR pickle juice

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or oregano + basil)

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

• Salt & black pepper to taste

• Optional: 1 tsp Dijon mustard (helps emulsify)

🥣 Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients

Cube the cheeses, slice the salami, and drain the pickles.

2. Make the marinade

Whisk together:

• Olive oil

• Red wine vinegar or pickle juice

• Garlic

• Italian herbs

• Red pepper flakes

• Salt & pepper

3. Combine everything

In a medium bowl or jar:

• Add cheese cubes

• Add salami pieces

• Add pickles

• Pour marinade over everything

• Gently toss to coat

4. Chill & marinate

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
For best flavor: 2–4 hours.

5. Serve

Serve chilled or at room temperature with:

• Toothpicks

• Crackers

• Crostini

• Breadsticks

• On a charcuterie board

💡 Tips & Variations

⭐ Use pickle juice instead of vinegar

Adds more tang and pairs perfectly with salami.

⭐ Add color

Throw in olives, cherry tomatoes, or roasted red peppers.

⭐ Make it spicy

Use pepper jack cheese, spicy salami, and add pickled jalapeños.

⭐ Make it ahead

It stays great for 3–4 days in the fridge.
(Gets more flavorful as it marinates.)

❓ Q&A

Q1. Can I use fresh mozzarella?

Yes, but pat dry well — it releases moisture. Marinate no more than 24 hours.

Q2. What cheese works best?

Firm cheeses that hold shape:

• Cheddar

• Colby Jack

• Monterey Jack

• Gouda

• Pepper Jack

Q3. Can I skip the salami?

Yes! Replace with:

• Pepperoni

• Summer sausage

• Turkey pepperoni

• Or keep it vegetarian with olives & peppers.

Q4. Can I make this a day ahead?

Absolutely — it tastes even better the next day.

Q5. How long does it last?

Up to 4 days refrigerated in a sealed container.