Grilled Feta Cheese with Honey and Thyme

Who doesn’t love a good grilled cheese? No one, that’s who. But this isn’t your typical melty orange slices between buttered bread. This is grilled feta, infused with fresh thyme and drizzled with honey—an effortlessly elegant dish that’s as simple as it is delicious.

Grilling (or oven-baking) feta might sound fancy, but don’t let that intimidate you. Wrapped in foil and baked for 15 minutes, the cheese softens into a rich, creamy texture while the thyme infuses it with an earthy aroma. The honey adds just the right touch of sweetness, balancing the feta’s signature saltiness. The result? A warm, melty, flavor-packed bite that’s perfect for scooping up with crackers, fresh bread, or grilled vegetables.

This dish works beautifully as an appetizer at your next cookout—just place the warm feta on the table with some rustic bread and let everyone dig in. Or, serve it as a side to round out a meal, pairing it with grilled vegetables, rice, or your favorite protein. No matter how you enjoy it, grilled feta is a surefire way to elevate your spread with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy & Impressive: It’s just a few ingredients, minimal prep, and ready in 15 minutes.
• Versatile Options: Serve it with crackers, fresh bread, or even grilled vegetables for dipping.
• Great for Entertaining: It’s a warm, melty appetizer that looks fancy but requires ridiculously low effort.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients:

• Feta cheese (block, not crumbled)
• Fresh thyme
• Honey
• Olive oil
• Black pepper

Serving Suggestions:

• Warm pita or fresh bread
• Crackers
• Grilled vegetables

Tips for the Best Grilled Feta

• Use a Whole Block of Feta: Crumbled feta won’t melt properly—stick with a block for the best texture.
• Don’t Skip the Honey: It’s the key to balancing the saltiness of the cheese.
• Try Different Herbs: Rosemary, oregano, or basil can add a twist to the flavor.
• Add Nuts for Extra Crunch: A sprinkle of toasted almonds or walnuts pairs beautifully with the soft, warm feta.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

• Pair with White Wine: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio complements the salty, creamy feta.
• Serve with Mediterranean Mezze: Pair with olives, hummus, and fresh tomatoes for a full Mediterranean spread.
• Make it a Sweet & Savory Board: Add fig jam, prosciutto, or dried fruits to make it a charcuterie-style appetizer.

Storing & Leftovers

• Best Served Fresh: Grilled feta is best enjoyed warm, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheat Gently: Warm it in a low oven (300°F/150°C) for a few minutes to soften it again.

Step by Step Guide to Making Grilled Feta Cheese with Honey and Thyme

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Prepare the Feta

1. Place a block of feta cheese on a large square of aluminum foil or in an oven-safe baking dish.
2. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
4. Place several fresh thyme sprigs over the cheese.

Step 3: Bake the Feta

1. If using foil, loosely wrap the feta to create a sealed packet. If using a baking dish, leave it uncovered.
2. Bake for 15 minutes until the feta is warmed through and slightly softened.

Step 4: Broil for a Golden Finish

1. If using foil, open the packet and remove the thyme sprigs.
2. Switch the oven to broil (high) and broil the feta for 2–5 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Step 5: Serve

1. Transfer the baked feta to a serving dish.
2. Drizzle with extra olive oil and honey.
3. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately with bread, crackers, or vegetables.

Which Method to Choose?

• Oven Method: Perfect for an easy, foolproof appetizer.
• Grilled Method: Ideal for summer barbecues with extra smoky flavor.

Step 1: Prepare the Grill

1. Heat a charcoal grill to medium-high heat (375°F–400°F / 190°C–204°C).
2. Arrange hot coals for indirect heat, meaning the feta won’t sit directly over the flames.

Step 2: Prepare the Feta

1. Place the feta block on a large piece of aluminum foil.
2. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the feta.
3. Season with freshly cracked black pepper.
4. Lay fresh thyme sprigs on top.

Step 3: Wrap and Grill the Feta

1. Wrap the foil tightly around the feta, sealing the edges to prevent leaking.
2. Place the foil packet on the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat zone).
3. Grill for 10–15 minutes, rotating occasionally for even cooking.

Step 4: Unwrap and Char

1. Carefully open the foil packet and remove the thyme sprigs.
2. Place the feta directly onto a grill-safe pan or an oiled grill grate over direct heat.
3. Grill for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese gets a slight golden char on top.

Step 5: Serve

1. Transfer the feta to a serving platter.
2. Drizzle with extra olive oil and honey.
3. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately with warm pita, grilled bread, or fresh vegetables.

FAQ:

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Smoke or roast the pork a day in advance, slice it, and keep it in the fridge. Then all you have to do is assemble the sandwiches.

Q: Do I really need a smoker?
A: Nope! An oven works just fine—roast at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 minutes, then slice.

Q: Can I use a different cut of pork?
A: Pork loin works too, but it’s leaner and a little less juicy. Tenderloin is your best bet for a perfectly tender bite.

Grilled Feta Cheese with Honey and Thyme

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 5 reviews

• Author: Honest Cooking Magazine
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4

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Description

Wrapped in foil and baked for 15 minutes, feta softens into a rich, warm, melty, flavor-packed bite that’s perfect for scooping up with crackers, fresh bread, or grilled vegetables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 block fresh feta cheese (about 7–8 ounces / 200-225g), drained

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for serving

Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

A generous amount of fresh thyme sprigs

1 tablespoon honey, for drizzling

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

Option 1: Baking in the Oven (Classic Method)

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Prepare the Feta

1. Place a block of feta cheese on a large square of aluminum foil or in an oven-safe baking dish.
2. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
3. Sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
4. Place several fresh thyme sprigs over the cheese.

Step 3: Bake the Feta

1. If using foil, loosely wrap the feta to create a sealed packet. If using a baking dish, leave it uncovered.
2. Bake for 15 minutes until the feta is warmed through and slightly softened.

Step 4: Broil for a Golden Finish

1. If using foil, open the packet and remove the thyme sprigs.
2. Switch the oven to broil (high) and broil the feta for 2–5 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Step 5: Serve

1. Transfer the baked feta to a serving dish.
2. Drizzle with extra olive oil and honey.
3. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve warm with bread, crackers, or vegetables.

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Option 2: Grilling Over Charcoal (Smoky & Charred Method)

Step 1: Prepare the Grill

1. Heat a charcoal grill to medium-high heat (375°F–400°F / 190°C–204°C).
2. Arrange hot coals for indirect heat, meaning the feta won’t sit directly over the flames.

Step 2: Prepare the Feta

1. Place the feta block on a large piece of aluminum foil.
2. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the feta.
3. Season with freshly cracked black pepper.
4. Lay fresh thyme sprigs on top.

Step 3: Wrap and Grill the Feta

1. Wrap the foil tightly around the feta, sealing the edges to prevent leaking.
2. Place the foil packet on the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat zone).
3. Grill for 10–15 minutes, rotating occasionally for even cooking.

Step 4: Unwrap and Char

1. Carefully open the foil packet and remove the thyme sprigs.
2. Place the feta directly onto a grill-safe pan or an oiled grill grate over direct heat.
3. Grill for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese gets a slight golden char on top.

Step 5: Serve

1. Transfer the feta to a serving platter.
2. Drizzle with extra olive oil and honey.
3. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately with warm pita, grilled bread, or fresh vegetables.

Notes

Oven Method: Perfect for an easy, foolproof appetizer.

Grilled Method: Ideal for summer barbecues with extra smoky flavor.

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 50g
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 25mg