Broiled Feta with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes & Capers
Over the past few weeks, temperatures in DC have been climbing over 90 degrees, and opening the back door feels like walking into a full-on steam room. Even the thought of heating up the kitchen is unbearable so I’ve been making lots of salads and appetizers for dinner. My poor husband may starve but that’s another story ;). This is one of my new favorites: burst cherry tomatoes, capers, and a flash under the broiler transform an ordinary block of feta into a surprisingly addictive and flavorful spread. It’s meant to serve four as a starter, but with a crusty baguette and a bottle of chilled rosé, I think it’s the perfect summer supper for two.
Begin by sautéing the garlic in olive oil until golden.
Add the tomatoes and cook until they start to burst.
Stir in the capers.
Place the block of feta in a small baking dish and scatter the tomatoes around the cheese.
Broil until the feta is softened and browned on top, about 4 minutes. Serve with a crusty baguette or pita bread and enjoy!
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Broiled Feta with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes & Capers
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) block feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 10.5 ounces cherry tomatoes, preferably different colors, halved
- Scant 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- Pinch sugar
- 1-1/2 tablespoons tablespoons capers, drained
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler and set the oven rack in the top position. Place the feta in a small (1.5-quart) baking dish and set aside.
- Heat the oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and sugar; cook, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes are softened and starting to burst, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the capers.
- Scatter the tomatoes around the feta and broil until the feta is softened and browned on top, about 4 minutes (but keep an eye on it as broilers vary greatly.)
Nutrition Information
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- Calories: 226
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Sugar: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Sodium: 732mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Reviews & Comments
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This recipe is a Wow! Its easy to prepare, tastes fantastic and looks so festive, (especially if you use red and yellow cherry tomatoes), everyone assumes it was a lot more work than it is! I have made this countless times this summer using cherry tomatoes from our garden and we’re not tired of it yet!
My go to recipe for an easy delicious appetizer or quick vegetarian dish. Even good the next day reheated.
Made this delicious and easy recipe tonight. I made it exactly as described with no substitutions and served it with fresh sliced baguette. Everyone loved it. I loved how beautiful and colorful it looked when done and it was a crowd pleaser.
This is the best recipe in the world! My husband and I love it. We’ve made it our dinner several times during our extra warm Seattle summer. Thank you.
This has become my go to brunch staple (along with the kale and brussel sprout salad) for a while now. And it is a hit every time. I always follow the recipe faithfully, and add warm pita bread to scoop up all the deliciousness.
I reviewed this recipe about a year ago when I very first made it and have made it multi times since then having a few tweaks. What I discovered is that you can make the whole dish ahead of time (except the feta) which is a time saver for me. And since Feta blocks are fairly thick, I sliced it lengthwise into two thin portions so it covered most of the tomatoes. It broiled up nicely, the tomatoes got hot and then easier to portion out the cheese / tomato when scooped. Thin sliced, lightly toasted french bread (also made ahead of time) works really well – holds up to the soupy texture but can also sop up some yummy juices. What a great recipe to use lots of prolific cherry tomatoes!
We had a lot of feta left over (Costco) from the Whipped Feta Dip recipe and decided to make this last weekend. It was insanely delicious. I didn’t change anything and it was a delightful dish with bread or brioche toast. My 3-year-old loved it and even my 10-month-old loved the flavors. I plan to make it again for an upcoming party next month. I served it before a pasta dish and it was a great meal!
I made this dish several times and it is always a hit both with grown up s and kids. Foolproof and very easy to make. The only thing I do differently is slicing the feta block before broiling – it’s just easier to serve that way. Thank you Jen!
Jenn, I have requests for help with two things. #1. My cheese neither melted/softened nor browned after 10 minutes and then I looked again at the package and noticed that I accidentally bought “non-fat” feta. Is that probably the problem? #2. Since there wasn’t a photo as served, I looked at the baguette and pondered whether to heat the loaf and tear it, slice and broil, slice or tear at room temp… what is your preference? And do you spoon the sauce onto it rather than dip/dunk the bread? Thanks for your thoughts!
Not rating since I think I bought the wrong ingredients.
Hi Judy, I’m afraid non-fat feta won’t work here so that was likely the issue – although keep in mind that even full fat feta won’t melt; it will just soften. And bread will work, and I have served it both ways, but for company I’d do toasted slices and use a spoon to smear the sauce on the bread. Hope that helps!
Thaanks for your help! I’ll try again.
Oh wow, this looks amazing!
Would this work with haloumi instead of feta?
Yep 🙂
I made this twice over our recent holidays and it was a HUGE success. Everyone loved it!! So easy to make.
Yum!! I would make this again. First because it is so delicious and second, it is so easy!!!
We really loved it. We will do it again.
Such a beautiful presentation and the taste was perfect.
This has become my go to appetizer. I always have feta (TJ’s in brine) in my fridge, cherry tomatoes off my trees, when in season, or store bought and capers. It doesn’t take long to put together. I think the tomatoes and capers could easily serve as a side dish. I love, love this recipe.
Hi Jenn,
I love all the recipes I have made from your website, esp. the Mediterranean and vegetable recipes! They are very easy to follow as well as delicious. I recommend your website to all my friends Please continue your passion for excellence and continue to inspire home cooks everywhere!
I want to bring this appetizer to a Mediterranean themed party. Can I completely prepare it at home and then bring it to the party and warm it up? Also, What happens as this appetizer sits and cools? Can’t wait to try this!
Hi Paula, I haven’t made it in advance but another reader commented that she prepares the tomatoes ahead, puts them in a dish with the feta and keeps it covered. Right before serving it, she pops it into the oven. So you could get it prepared to that point and then put it in the oven when you get to the party. Hope everyone enjoys!
This was such a fantastic appetizer! Broiling the feta completely transformed it. I will definitely be making this recipe again!
Hi Jenn, this sounds delightful. I’d love to make for a dinner party Sat. One of the guests is gluten free. Any suggestions what I could make for them to have with this? The rest of us will enjoy the baguette as you suggest. I’m also making your Morocon chicken for the first time. Thank you Cindy
Hi Condy, I’d look for gluten-free crackers. Hope everyone enjoys the meal – can’t go wrong with the Moroccan chicken :)!
I never thought I liked cherry tomatoes until i tried out this recipe. There are few things that I can make that my vegetarian mother enjoys but this she loved.
I can never quite get my feta as brown without my tomatoes beginning to burn. And certainly not in 4 minutes. It usually takes me twice as long. Would it help to perhaps put the cheese in first for a couple of minutes by itself?
Also how soupy would you recommend I leave the tomatoes before adding them to the baking dish?
Glad your mom likes it! Yes, you can put the cheese in before the tomatoes to get it more browned. And the soupiness of the tomatoes is a personal preference. If you want to drain some of the juices from the tomatoes before adding them to the baking dish, feel free.
I made this and it was so delicious..my partner likes his french bread, i warmed some tortillas and had it on warm tortillas, it was just simply divine.
I just finished making this for the third time in 2 weeks. I love how easy and quick it is to make and the flavours are fantastic! I think it would also be delicious over spaghetti with fresh basil and parmesan. Thanks for all of your wonderful recipes!!
Hi Jen I would like to make this with a white fish like halibut and add the feta on top. What do You think?
Hi Carla, I think that sounds delicious – you might check out this recipe, which is similar.
DELICIOUS and SO EASY. I’m making it for the 2nd time right now, this time including onions (and basil, which I think I also included the 1st time). Left out the capers due to personal preference. Just YUM!!!
This is delicious!!!!!! I found a fantastic Bulgarian Feta cheese at Costco and it came in a two-pack. Perfect, perfect, thank you!
Made this last night for a party. Really excited to try and was so disappointed! The cheese was like a rock, impossible to spread on toasted bread. Tomatoes were delicious. Not sure what went wrong, would cut the cheese in half if I make this again.
So easy and delicious. Great addition to an appetizer table for something warm and bursting with flavour. Reheats really well!
Made this delicious and easy recipe the other night for company and everyone loved it!
Made this for brunch and it was a big hit. I would recommend to make sure your piece of FETA cheese was not too thick. The first time I made this,the Feta cheese was too thick and did not get soft. The second time I made this, I cut the feta in half. ‘Even folks who did not like tomatoes and cheese, loved this. Ate this one night with a loaf of bread for dinner!!
Simple and delicious. I’ve substituted Queso Fresco for a milder taste for the kids, still excellent flavors
Simple and delicious.
This is so easy! And wonderful! Served with toasted melba thin bread cut into quarters and it left the table! Tomatoes are wonderful! Would make it again, and again.
loved it! Thank you Jenn 🙂
Oh, my goodness…is this ever easy and delicious! Can’t wait to make it again. My husband loves feta. Too bad, as I could easily eat the whole thing myself! Thanks for a great recipe!
Took this to a New Year’s Eve party and it was gone in 15 minutes. So good! Told everyone about your wonderful blog. Thank you! Happy 2017
Hi! Im going to serve this dish for company and was wondering if I can prep it ahead of time and then throw it under the broiler when my company arrives.
Thanks!
Yes definitely, Mary. Enjoy!
Delicious. I followed the recipe exactly. It took longer than 4 minutes to brown (maybe my broiler) but other than that it was perfect. If you don’t like feta I would tell you to try it anyway (it’s that good) because the broiling changes the flavor and makes it more mild.
I think someone asked about making ahead. When I’m having guests I make the tomatoes earlier in the day and put them in a dish with the feta and cover with plastic wrap. Then when I hear guests in the driveway I pop it in the oven. Still turns out perfect . Thanks Jen!
We love this dish that looks amazing and is very easy to assemble. I would recommend adding Kalamata olives (1/4 to 1/2 cup)and a loaf of crusty baguette.
Deee-licious. Don’t need to say anything more, other than TRY IT, YOU’LL LOVE IT!
I had never used block feta before so wasn’t sure what to expect. Oh my – this is an addicting dish! A very flavorful, combination of feta, garlic and tomatoes. Even after the first day, it tasted really good just with crackers as a snack!
Hi, I love Feta but I’m not into garlic. Can I do this recipe without the garlic? any other substitute?
Thanks,
Jenny
Hi Jenny, you could just omit the garlic or add some chopped shallot instead.
Made this last night for company and it was outstanding !! I will double or triple the tomato olive oil mixture next time because we all put it on crusty bread and really loved that part.
Thanks for such an delicious and easy recipe !!
Fantastic and so easy! We had this before dinner with crusty bread and my whole family loved it. I liked it because it comes together very quickly and the flavors are terrific.
I have made this twice, once as an appetizer and tonight as a main meal. So good and can’t wait to have it tomorrow for lunch.
Really wonderful recipe. Perfect for any season. I subbed green olives because my husband didn’t care for capers but it was DELICIOUS!
I love this recipe. Baking the feta changes the flavor to make it a little milder and my kid lives it. My husband and I love all the flavors together and it is great with some crusty bread.
This is absolutely delicious and simple to prepare. I’ve made it (at least 6 or 7 times) exactly as written and it turned out picture perfect. Everyone I’ve served it to, loved it as much as we did. My husband suggested that I try as a pasta dish and it was really good too. The first time I didn’t put enough feta cheese and the next time I put too much but still very good. If mixing it in pasta be sure to pour a little olive oil first before adding mixture. Great recipe and definitely a keeper.
I made this as an appetizer for my daughters birthday dinner. Her Mother-n-
law is non-grain and gluten free so I am always looking for an alternative so she can have some to. I couldn’t think of an appropriate veggie except lettuce cups. Romaine and a small head of redicio filled the void. I also added fresh basil for a finishing touch. Everyone loved it.
This was wonderful! I happened to have all the ingredients on hand and it is super easy to make! We had a little left over and it was also good the day after. This will be repeated often!
Oops – forgot to give it a star rating – 5 stars, of course!
LOVED this recipe. I ended up using crumbled feta instead of a block (just what I already had in the fridge so decided to use it) and it still worked beautifully. I also added an extra garlic clove, since I believe you can almost never have enough. and a small handful of pre-roasted garlic cloves (from the Mediterranean bar @ Wegmans). This has become one of my favorite recipes! Thanks for sharing!
This appetizer was beyond incredible. So easy, the flavors meld perfectly. I have made it with the capers and without. I prefer without the capers as dish tended to be too salty for me with them included. I have had this dish for dinner sometimes with a glass of wine and it is so satisfying.
This a great appetizer and was easy to make. We brought this to a party and got many compliments. I can definitely see this as a main course for two as well. I was afraid the feta block was too thick and cut it in half but stuck it back on and it was fine.
WOW!
We had a plethora of cherry tomatoes in the garden this year, so made this several times. My wife makes homemade sourdough, so fresh baguettes, garlicy tomatoey, cheesy goodness, yumm. With a crisp Savignon blanc, easy to get full on these.
I took the feta out of the fridge about 1/2 hour before to get it a little soft. I found it melted a bit more and browned up nicely under our gas broiler (just got a new oven recently, and this is the only thing I have broiled yet, so it could be me). I made this in smaller batches after the first time, since it is just 2 of us. 4 OZ of cheese to about the same amount of tomato seems right for us as an appetizer
We made this recipe several times this summer, especially after receiving a bounty of cherry tomatoes from our neighbor. So delicious and very easy to pull together. It paired nicely with some grilled salmon. I needed a quick meal this past weekend and thought I had all the ingredients on hand, but had forgotten that I had used up all the capers. Some lemon juice and parsley made for a nice last minute substitute, but we really prefer the recipe as posted.
Do you have a favorite brand of feta?
I like President brand. (Be sure not to get the fat free version!)
I tried this dish the other night and it was so simple and so delicious. I forgot to get capers so added onions instead and it was really good. The juices and soft cheese were devine!
This was so delicious! Something about baking the feta makes it milder and changes the texture. Perfect with the moroccan meatballs and pita…
This dish looks amazing, but I am making it for a crowd of 12 hungry adults as an appetizer. How do you recommend I multiply the recipe? Should I make it in three separate dishes? Help.
Hi Jean, You could use 3 separate dishes or just one larger one (it should hold at least 4 quarts). And I would just multiply all the ingredients by 3 to have enough for everyone. Hope they enjoy!
We have to rave about this recipe! I added a small handful of freshly cut mixed herbs from my garden, and that added a nice freshness to the flavor. The bottom of the feta melted slightly and leaked some “feta juice” into the tomato mixture, and that added a lot.
Jenn, how would it be with a dozen or so Greek olives, halved or coarsely chopped? How about with some anchovies? I don’t want to give it too much of a “putanesca” flavor, just to add some umami flavor. What do you think?
So glad you enjoyed it, Chuck! I think the diced olives would go beautifully here.
This recipe was one of the big hits of the summer at my house. I made it again and again! I also add some herbes de provence and black olives. It even freezes well. I made the recipe up to the point of putting it in the oven, but put the baking dish covered with aluminum foil in the freezer instead.
As other users have noted….this is so good and easy too!! Will definately be making this one again.
I have made this about 5 times and everyone loves it! It comes out perfect every time. Loves the flavors and so easy.
Perfection in individual au gratin dishes. We used the last of our Sun Gold cherry tomatoes and I halved the recipe for 2. A bit of focaccia and Chardonnay, rounded out our late summer dinner perfectly n
We liked this. But have to say – reading someone’s review, I now want to try this with goat cheese. 🙂
Tried with lemon flavored goat cheese. and regular goat cheese. REALLY GOOD!!
I am obsessed with this. I was looking for something to do with the huge amount of cherry tomatoes from my garden and stumbled upon this recipe. The texture of the feta when it’s warm is outrageous, and the tomatoes create a sort of sauce. My mouth is watering again!
Another 5 star recipe from OUAC-thank you! Made it as a light supper with a salad & good baguette one night- my mom raved! Making again tonight but doubling the tomatoes & serving over very thin grilled chicken cutlets and couscous-Yum!
I had purchased the ingredients for this dish earlier in the week and never gotten a chance to make it. Boy was I pleasantly surprised tonight while searching for something in the refrigerator to realize I had the makings for this tasty dish. My husband and I took your advice and ate it alone as our only dish. It was delicious. Another great recipe.
This was so simple, the perfect summer dinner! The warm feta, smeared on freshly toasted ciabatta bread, with the slightly sweet and bursting with flavor tomatoes on top……
Thank you for this great recipe!
I made this tonight for dinner with my daughter and son-in-law, and all of us were over the moon about it. Simple, delicious, and irresistible!
This recipe is amazing!! I hate when people offer reviews and then say all the things they changed (!), but now I have to do that….and it was accidental, I promise! I don’t care for Feta but that’s beside the point. I didn’t have any! So I used goat cheese and I have to say, I cannot imagine it being any more delicious than it was. Some of my guests even placed some of it on their steaks!!! FABULOUS RECIPE. Thanks so much.
Perfect summer bite before dinner! Especially with cherry tomatoes from my garden.
Not only was this delicious the first time around, but the leftovers were fantastic on homemade pizza dough.
Simple and Delicious like all of your recipes. I used the leftovers in an omelette.
Can you reheat this recipe as I would like to try it before serving it to friends. If yes, how would you recommend that I reheat it ( oven, microwave??? )
Yes, Lynn, that’s fine. You can easily reheat it in the microwave.
Best appetizer I have eaten all summer!! So happy to have a new recipe for my abundant cherry tomato crop. Reminds me of Greek Saganaki. Thank you for another fabulous recipe!!
This was so quick, easy, and DELICIOUS! I just substituted kalamata olives (my sis-in-law won’t touch anything with capers) and sprinkled some fresh dill on top after baking. Seriously good – thanks for another amazing recipe!
My husband doesn’t like feta. What other cheese would work for this? My son has had something like this in a restaurant and he said can we make this mom.
Thank you!!
Hi Diana, Hi Alicia, I’m not certain how readily available haloumi is, but that would work well here. You could also try something like blue cheese or Brie, although I’ve never used them here. Just make sure to keep an eye on it while it’s in the oven!
I think goat cheese would be amazing with these flavors too, though you’d likely have to do it in slices/discs as it’s typically sold as a log. I made a similar recipe all last summer with goat cheese and it was a great pairing!
Colorful, delicious and easy to make dish that you can serve hot or cold.
This recipe is excellent, so easy and quick to make, 15 min and supper is served on a hot summer day, the colors add to great taste.
I served this tonight as a starter and it was a big hit! Served four perfectly with toasted baguette slices. One change: the top of the feta cheese was getting brown, but it was not getting soft on the bottom, so I cut the block in half crosswise and put the two pieces side by side in the pan. Worked perfectly! Thanks for another great recipe!
This recipe is heavenly. My picky 7 and 10 YO ate this without a word of complaining. Thank you.
I’d be serving this as the main dish, so I was wondering: could I add, say, crumbled Italian sausage? Or something else?
I think you could William, but you’d have to cook it first. It may be simpler if you just serve it on the side.
Kindly add me to the roster of your readers who have flipped for this easy, yet utterly satisfying recipe. We had a friend over for dinner last night, and when I told Tom about this recipe, he said that he would plant his face in it. Tongue in cheek, I actually made him his own private appetizer….yes, 8 oz. of cheese just for him! This will be made more often than a “regular rotation”.
Outstanding! I made a double batch as an appetizer for our weekly dinner with my husband’s family and it was devoured. The only thing I did differently was to use crumbled feta all over the top instead of the block. Do not skip broiling the feta! There was about 1/3 of a cup left over, which I used in scrambled eggs the next morning. Can’t wait to make this again.
Hello Jenn and thanks for the recipe!
It’s a very good idea for the hot summer days.
i will surely prepare it and I wonder if it wouldn’t go even better with Haloumi cheese.
What do you think?
Hi Monica, I think it would go great with goat cheese or haloumi. If you prepare it with either, I’d love to know how it turns out!
Hello again Jenn, I would have liked to add a photo of the dish, but it’s gone (eaten so fast!) 🙂
It was really good with haloumi, the texture of this Cypriot cheese makes it perfect for your recipe, so I highly recommend it, it’s really worth trying it.
I’ve also added some olives and some button mushrooms – so no need for meat in order to have a nutritious dish.
Thanks again for this brilliant idea!
I adore your recipes and will definitely try this! I’m not the biggest fan of feta cheese… Is there another type you think would also work/ hold up to the heat?
Hi Alicia, Not sure how readily available haloumi is, but that would be good here. You could also try something like goat cheese, Brie or blue cheese, although I’ve never used them here. Just be sure to keep an eye on it while it’s in the oven!
I made this yesterday as an appetizer, and it was delicious! I added a pinch of dried oregano, which made me think that the leftovers will be great on some pizza dough that I have in the freezer!
Sounds great. Is this an appetizer? A side dish for dinner?
I think it could be either. Hope you enjoy!
Seriously one of the best things I have eaten this summer ! Only thing I did different was add a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end .
Truly wonderful. As suggested we had it for a light supper with baguettes and fresh corn. We decided the only problem was that we haven’t been making this all our lives.
I made this last night as part of a light supper alongside your garlic shrimp and it was fabulous. I didn’t change any part of the recipe. Tomatoes are already on my next shopping list to make this again. BTW, I love the option to change the measurements to metric, since that is how produce is sold where I live.
90 degrees is not so bad – try 102. We too have had lots of salads and cold fruit but I am looking forward to a nice change with the broiled feta and tomatoes tomorrow. It looks and sounds delicious. Many thanks for all your delicious recipes.
I love capers but my husband isn’t a fan… Suggestions for a replacement? Olives? I’m sure it gives the recipe some saltiness so I don’t want to omit them all together!?
Your recipes are amazing btw!
Hi Crissy, Yes, olives would be great. Enjoy!
i didn’t have capers, either. thought about olives, but ended up adding 1/4 red bell pepper and 1 whole serrano pepper, both chopped, to the tomatoes and garlic (and some extra garlic, too). it was amazing!
I haven’t tried this yet, but I already know I’ll love it, so I’ll rate it 5 stars. Your recipes have all always been 5 stars for me.
Mainly, I wanted to acknowledge your genius in adding a metric/cup measure converter to your site! I’m always amazed at how many people ask the author to convert recipes just for them instead of finding a converter and doing it themselves. Your utter brilliance in adding a converter to your site must save you lots of time responding to such requests, and hopefully will be much appreciated by users who need metric recipes. Kudos to you!
Such an amazingly simple but luxurious recipe! I can’t wait to try it! Do you have a recommendation for feta? I have found it very difficult to find a really great one.
Hi Tracey, I use President brand. (Be careful not to by the fat-free version; it’s usually right next to the regular one.) Hope you enjoy!
I used Macedonian feta, which tends to be creamier. Goat feta was a tad too dry for this recipe. It is a wonderful easy recipe.