How to Make Goat Cheese Crumbles for Salad

If you are a lover of goat cheese, I think you'll agree that it is one of those magical ingredients that immediately elevates any dish. Simply crumble a log of goat cheese over a salad or bake it in a ramekin and voila, just like that you are in for a treat for a luxurious dish with almost no effort.

Easy goat cheese recipes: A round up of my most delicious made with goat cheese

Over the years of sharing my favorite recipes on this blog, goat cheese has been one of my favorite ingredients that I have used in many salads, meat dishes, appetizers, and breakfast recipes.

In today's post, I want to talk about creative ways you can use this humble ingredient in your daily cooking along with some of the goat cheese recipes I shared on my blog throughout the years.

But before that let's go back to basics and answer a few questions about goat cheese.

What is Goat Cheese?

Simply put, goat cheese is a cheese made from goat's milk. Originally called by its French name, Chèvre, it has a slightly tangy flavor that lends itself beautifully in many sweet and savory dishes.

A woman is spreading goat cheese dip on a cracker

As in most cheeses, goat cheese comes in a variety of forms. The most popular form of goat cheese is fresh (or white) goat cheese that is usually sold in the form of a log. While you can find this simple fresh cheese in its original form, nowadays goat cheesemakers also sell it rolled in varies spices, herbs, and fruits. This version of the chévre is usually the most affordable and versatile one to use in cooking.

Another popular goat cheese variety is aged goat cheese, which comes in various shapes and sizes. It is usually covered in ash or herbs to prevent it from drying out and to protect its fluffy middle and creamy exterior. As it is more expensive to its fresh version, most people use aged goat cheese as a part of cheese boards on special occasions.

Need a recommendation for a great goat cheese brand? My favorite goat cheese brand in the market is Vermont Creamery. I love them not only because they are a Vermont company but also because they are very innovative.

They have an extensive collection of goat cheeses that are sold in log form with or without flavorings. I always keep a tub of their spreadable goat cheese and a log of wild blueberry and lemon-flavored goat cheese (affiliate link) in my fridge.

Full disclosure: Even though I have worked with Vermont Creamery in the past, this post is not sponsored by them.

What is the best way to store goat cheese?

If you are buying packaged goat cheese, the best way to store it is in the fridge in its packaging. Once opened, it is best to wrap it in wax paper and seal it tightly in a plastic container to prevent it from drying out.

Warm baked goat cheese dip photographed from the top with fresh and roasted vegetables

How long is goat cheese good for?

As long as it is tightly sealed and kept in the fridge, goat cheese will last for 2 to 3 weeks.

How to crumble goat cheese for salads and other recipes?

Nowadays most supermarkets sell crumbled goat cheese in their cheese section. However, you can easily crumble a log of fresh goat cheese in your own kitchen.

To crumble goat cheese at home:

Remove a log of fresh goat cheese from its packaging, cut it in half, and place it in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes. This will help dry out some of its moisture.
Take it out of the freezer and immediately break it into small parts with the help of a fork. I do not recommend using your fingers to do this as the temperature of your body will melt the cheese and make it too creamy to crumble.

What to do with goat cheese?

Now that we answered some of the popular FAQs, let's talk about what to make with goat cheese. Below are some recipes without recipes (yes, there is such a thing) and some of my favorite goat cheese recipes that I shared on this blog over the years.

Easy Goat Cheese Appetizers and Snacks:

I'll be honest, I would be content with munching on a log of fresh goat cheese with a box of multi-grain crackers on the couch. However, when it comes to snacks and appetizers, goat cheese has the potential to be a star ingredient.

Here are a few ways I use goat cheese to create next-level easy appetizers and snacks:

Make Goat Cheese A Part Of Your Cheese Boards

I have never met a cheese lover who doesn't enjoy a colorful cheese board that is decorated with various cheeses, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Whether it is fresh or aged goat cheese, my go-to soft and creamy cheese for cheese boards is goat cheese.

Easy goat cheese appetizers - goat cheese platter set up with olives and fruits

Here are a few FAQs answered about what to serve with goat cheese for your next meat and cheese platter:

What other cheese goes with goat cheese? I love pairing goat cheese with semi-hard cheeses like gruyere and manchego and aged and firm cheeses like cheddar and aged gouda.
What fruit goes well with goat cheese? It is no secret that the tangy and creamy flavors of goat cheese pairs well with fruits. According to, The Vegetarian Bible (affiliate link), my go-to book to find matching flavors, apples, figs, grapes, and apricots pair beautifully with goat cheese.
What meat goes with goat cheese? My two favorite types of charcuterie meat for pairing with goat cheese are salami and prosciutto.

Best Crackers To Pair with Goat Cheese:

I think we can all agree that a great cheese board needs some delicious crackers. Lucky for us, nowadays most supermarkets carry a variety of cracker selections to help us up our cheese and meat platter game. Below are a few of my favorite cracker brands that I love and recommend.
The below links are affiliate links.

Jan's Farmhouse Crisps: A small Vermont business, Jan's Farmhouse Crisps has a variety of crackers you can choose from. My favorite one in their selection is salted almond.
Castleton Crackers: Another Vermont business, Castleton crackers offer a variety of all-natural artisan crackers with different flavors. My favorite ones are salted maple and alehouse cheddar.
Raincoast Crisps: You can find these crackers in most supermarkets in the US. They too offer a variety of flavors. My favorite one is the one flavored with salty dates and almonds.

Baked Goat Cheese Balls

If you want to up your cheese board game to a whole other level, you should try my baked goat cheese balls. This finger-food like goat cheese snacks can be made ahead and kept in the freezer until you are ready to bake them right before serving. They are warm, deliciously creamy, and not-so surprisingly addictive.

Baked Goat Cheese Dip

This melted goat cheese dip recipe is one of my go-to dishes that I take to potlucks, holiday parties during the winter months and picnics during the summer months.

Warm goat cheese dip as a part of easy goat cheese appetizers round up.

Made with whipping a combination of goat, parmesan and cream cheese, it is one of the easiest appetizers you can make. Serve it warm with crackers, fruits, honey, and/or vegetables, and accept compliments.

Herbed Goat Cheese Bruschetta

During the holiday season, when there is leftover cranberry sauce, this goat cheese bruschetta is what I make. Simply roast butternut squash (or my roasted delicata squash) in the oven. While it is roasting spread a generous amount of goat cheese and cranberry sauce (or jam) on a toast. Then top it off with the roasted squash and sliced almonds. Finally, finish it off with a drizzle of honey.

This makes an incredible goat cheese appetizer/ finger food that you can also serve on crackers.

Goat cheese bruschetta with roasted butternut squash is being drizzled with honey

Goat Cheese Breakfast and Brunch Ideas:

Add Goat Cheese To Omelets

This is a recipe without a recipe, but I can't imagine a better way to take a simple omelet to a whole other level.

Simply crumble goat cheese and mix it in your omelet with mushrooms and spinach. I usually use 1/2 cup of crumbled fresh goat cheese for an omelet made with 4 eggs (2 servings).

Goat Cheese and Mushroom Asparagus Tart with Puff Pastry

Spread a generous amount of creamy goat cheese over puff pastry, top it off with asparagus, and bake it in the oven for a delicious asparagus tart that you can serve as a breakfast or brunch dish.

Asparagus Tart with Goat Cheese sliced from the top view

Berry and Goat Cheese Bread Pudding

Stir in crumbled goat cheese in a buttery brioche pudding sweetened with maple syrup and sweet berries.

This is my go-to brunch dish come springtime when berries are at their peak. It one of those luxurious goat cheese desserts / baked recipes that make people swoon.

Goat cheese berry pudding in a casserole dish from the front view

Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Quiche

Fill a buttery pie crust with goat cheese, caramelized onions, and egg custard for a next-level quiche recipe that is guaranteed to impress.

Goat cheese quiche with green salad on the side.

Tomato Galette with Goat Cheese

If you are fan of sweet galette recipes, you should try this savory version as well. This tomato galette recipe is made by spreading galette dough with herbed goat cheese and spreading it with sliced heirloom tomatoes.

It is fairly easy to make and perfect for any breakfast or brunch gathering when you want to impress.

Goat Cheese Salad Recipes:

When it doubt add in some crumbled goat cheese to your salads. It is the easiest ingredient I know that provides creamy and tangy deliciousness to any green salad. I usually pair it with fresh fruits and nuts for the most delicious salads.

Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

This citrusy roasted beet and goat cheese salad have a little bit of everything, roasted beets, black-eyed peas, walnuts, and of course, goat cheese. I usually make it for our New Years' Eve dinner as my Southern husband loves it when I incorporate black-eyed peas into our menu.

Not so surprisingly, goat cheese adds in an additional layer of flavor even in such a salad with so much going on.

Salad with oranges in a bowl held by a woman

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Goat Cheese and Apples

Shredded raw brussels sprouts flavored with sliced apples, roasted hazelnuts, dried cranberries, and creamy goat cheese. This make-ahead salad is my favorite fall/holiday salad that I make as soon as brussels sprouts are in abundance.

Salad made with apples and goat cheese in a bowl

Baked Goat Cheese Salad

Remember those baked cheese balls that I shared earlier? This simple green baked goat cheese salad was one of the first recipes I shared on this blog (as you can probably tell from the photos.) However, it is still one that I make often. It is easy to make and it never fails to impress.

Goat Cheese With Main Dishes:

From adding it to simple vegetarian pasta dishes to chicken or meat dishes, incorporating goat cheese into your main dishes is such an easy way to elevate a recipe.

Add A Cup Of Crumbled Goat Cheese Into Vegetable Pasta

This is another recipe without a recipe. I make it when I need to put dinner on the table quick.
Simply put, I cook some pasta. When that is cooking, I saute some veggies ( like asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, etc.) in a little bit of oil in a large pan. Then add in the cooked pasta into the sauteed vegetables. Stir in some sun-dried tomatoes and a cup of crumbled goat cheese.

Ina's Chicken with Basil and Herbed Goat Cheese

If you are a lover of Barefoot Contessa, you probably watched her make this chicken with goat cheese and basil in her show before. This weeknight chicken dish is simply divine.

Chicken flavored with goat cheese sliced and served with pasta

One of Our Favorite Baked Goat Cheese Recipes

Baked Goat Cheese Dip Recipe

Yields: 6 servings

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 18 mins

Total Time: 28 mins

This Baked Goat Cheese Dip recipe is a super easy and quick to make appetizer that you can serve throughout the year for all your entertaining needs.

▢ 8 ounces Vermont Creamery Goat Cheese
▢ 4 ounces cream cheese
▢ ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for coating at the end
▢ 1 tablespoon minced chives

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Place goat cheese, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, black pepper, and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to break the goat cheese logs and then process until fully mixed, 30 seconds or so.
Transfer to an oven-proof bowl. Smooth out the top with the back of a spoon and brush it with a little bit of (no more than ½ teaspoon) olive oil.
Bake in the oven for 16-18 minutes or until it starts bubbling.
Serve immediately with crackers, veggies, and fruits.

Can I use a different cheese than parmesan? Yes, as a matter of fact I recommend trying this with shredded cheddar (instead of Parmesan cheese) and turning it into a yummy hot cheddar goat cheese dip. If you decide to do so, you can use the same amount of cheddar.
Can I make it ahead? Yes, you can. Simple whip everything up in the food processor, place the mixture into the bowl you plan on baking, cover it with stretch film, and keep it in the fridge. Bake it right before you are ready to serve to make sure that it is nice and warm.
Can I freeze it? I wouldn't recommend freezing this dip.
What can I do with leftovers? I doubt that you'll have leftovers, but if you do you can use this dip to spread on a piece of toast and top it off with roasted vegetables, like I did in this Herbed Goat Cheese Bruschetta with Butternut Squash and Cranberry Jam recipe.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

This list is nowhere finished. I plan on updating as I share more goat cheese recipes in the weeks, months and years to come. So be sure to bookmark this page and come back for updates.

This post was originally posted in November 2019. It has been updated with new recipes in September 2020.

How to Make Goat Cheese Crumbles for Salad

Source: https://foolproofliving.com/goat-cheese-recipes/