Feta Cheese

Feta is a brined, crumbly white cheese, traditionally made in Greece from sheep's milk (or a sheep-and-goat blend). It's tangy, salty, and firm enough to crumble or cube rather than melt smoothly.

Varieties

Traditional Greek feta (look for a PDO label) is made from sheep's milk or a sheep-and-goat blend and has a tangier, more complex flavor. Feta made purely from cow's milk, common in US supermarkets, is milder and less crumbly.

Buying tips

Buy feta stored in brine (a block in liquid) rather than pre-crumbled and dry-packed, it stays fresher longer and has better texture. Taste before buying if possible, saltiness and tang vary a lot by brand.

Substitutes

Cotija cheese — 1:1
Saltier and drier, doesn't crumble quite as creamily, but a close flavor match.
Goat cheese — 1:1
Softer and tangier in a different way; works well in salads.

Storage

Keep feta submerged in its brine (or a fresh saltwater brine, if the original was drained) in the refrigerator, it dries out and turns crumbly-hard quickly once exposed to air. Stored in brine, it keeps for several weeks.

How to use

Crumbled over salads, watermelon, and roasted vegetables; baked whole in a block with tomatoes and olive oil for a quick pasta sauce; or layered into spanakopita and other phyllo pastries.

What it pairs with

Pairs well with watermelon, olives, cucumber, and olive oil in salads, and with honey and nuts as a simple appetizer, its saltiness balances sweet and bright flavors especially well.

Nutrition

Lower in fat than many hard cheeses but notably high in sodium due to the brine; approximately 75 calories and 320mg sodium per 1-oz serving.

FAQ

Why is my feta so salty?

It's cured and stored in a salt brine, which is essential to its texture and shelf life. Rinsing it briefly under cold water before using mellows the saltiness if it's too much for a dish.

Can feta cheese be frozen?

It can, but the texture turns noticeably more crumbly and watery after thawing, fine for cooking into baked dishes, but not ideal for serving raw or in a salad.

Have feta cheese on hand? Find recipes with our Recipe Generator →