Creamy Feta Dip.
I know what you’re thinking.

Boring title.
A bowl of white cheese.
Somewhat plain.
Kind of a snoozefest.
How crazy can this really be?
I was skeptical too. Trust me.

I didn’t make this recipe up. My cousin Lacy did. See… a restaurants in DC makes this stuff and calls it crazy feta. She was a huge fan. Then they started selling it at Whole Foods for an arm and a leg. And since she really likes her limbs, she checked out the ingredients and decided to try and make it herself. Best decision ever.
She first told me about it on one of our walks about a week before we headed to the beach. It sounded good. It didn’t knock my socks off, but I kept it in mind. I don’t love jalapenos, lemon or feta, let alone love it together. Then she talked about it more at the beach. And each time I got a little more intrigued.
By Sunday, it was the only thing on my mind. Monday morning I rushed to the grocery store to buy bricked feta, jalapenos and lemons. Because that is exactly where my priorities lie after a week away. Don’t even act like yours lie somewhere else.

I don’t even know where to start.
This is quite possible one of the best things I have ever tasted. The flavors – tangy feta, spicy jalapenos, bright lemon, caramely garlic – combine to create this delicious explosion of something or other in your mouth. It’s perfect. It has a little bite. It’s madly addicting. It’s fabulous on pita chips. Even better on warm bread. Can you even picture it? Fluffy, warm pita spread with crazy feta.
If that doesn’t sell you, I don’t know what will. You gotta promise me you’ll try this. Pleeeeeeeeease.


Creamy Feta Dip with Jalapenos
Ingredients
- 2 bricks of feta cheese, (8 ounces) each
- 3 whole jalapeno peppers
- 1/4 cup olive oil + 1 tablespoon
- 1 bulb garlic
- the juice of half a lemon
- the zest of half a lemon
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop the top off the garlic bulb and drizzle it with a teaspoon of olive oil. Wrap it in foil and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until garlic is golden in color. At the same time, brush the jalapenos with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Either grill or roast them – I stuck them in the oven with garlic and just watched until they were charred. Remove both from oven and let cool. Once jalapenos are cooled, remove skins, cut in half and discard the seeds. Chop into small pieces. Don’t touch your eyes!
- In a large bowl, crumble the feta bricks. [Crumbling the bricks yourself works best, but if you can only find crumbled feta that is fine.] Add chopped jalapenos, the zest of half a lemon, and the juice of half a lemon. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of the bulb directly into the feta. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and mash with a fork. You want the feta to be a bit “wet” – I can best describe it as a cross between a spread and a dip. There is no right or wrong – make it however you’d like. Taste the feta and season with salt and pepper. Serve with pita chips, warm pita or naan, or spread it on sandwiches. Store it in the fridge for up to one week – I find that I like it best at room temperature, so allow it to sit out for about 30 minutes before serving. We also think it would be great with some kalamata olives.
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!

This is definitely my new party appetizer. Now you just need to invite me.


301 Comments on “Creamy Feta Dip.”
I love CAVA! It is my favorite place in DC. They have not only Crazy Feta but all sorts of other Greek goodies. Some what like eating tapas Greek style. They have the most awesome food. And some really good happy hour specials. I have learned to really enjoy lamb thanks to this place.
I finally made Crazy Feta last night and the best way I can think to describe it is “Crazy good!” I got about 3/4 of the way through and became very skeptical that it was not going to turn out right but continued on because I trust How Sweet It Is. Glad I trusted you because it turned out great! Very glad I planned ahead and bought a ridiculously sized large bag of pita chips! Already planning on making it for my next family get together so I can get everyone hooked!
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Making this right now! Waiting impatiently for the garlic and jalapeno; lemon and olive oil are already in the feta. Thanks for the recipe!
I just tried this and threw in a few cherry tomatoes… My new favorite Snack
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I am making this right now. yum tastic.
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Hello there. I don’t know who you are but I love you. I just stumbled (via Stumble Upon no less) onto your blog and this recipe in particular a few seconds ago and now there is a huge pool of drool on my desk from where my tongue had an orgasm!!! Thank you for telling me about this. Feta is a little pricey and a brick of it–the good kind that can’t be easily found at my local supermarket–is going to cost me a pretty penny. That means this recipe will be waiting until next Friday, payday, but I am already VERY excited!!! Thank you again!
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I LOVE Cava and I LOVEthe Crazy Feta! Will definitely be making this soon!
Made this and LOVED it. Thank you! :)
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I’m making this Feta Dip tomorrow for guests that are coming in town this weekend. I haven’t tried it yet so I look forward to having some chips and dip! :)
“Spicing it Up”
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last night after work i went to the grocery sans a list, except for a mental checklist in my head for the ingredients needed for crazy feta! i made it. my roommates thought i was crazy. they ate it. they are officially in love! (me too!)
grocery store** sans a list
Wow! I’ve been thinking about this recipe for weeks and finally made it this weekend. It’s so yummy! It’s good cold, hot, crumbled over salads, eaten by the spoonfuls, etc. I just had it for lunch on top of thinly sliced roasted eggplant with two toasted slices of Asiago Cheese bread from Panera and OH it was delish! Thank you for your creations! My husband thanks you too!
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You’ve just made my day with this post! I absolutely *love* Cava’s crazy feta! They’ve opened a Chipotle-type concept version of their full restaurant (Cava Grill), and crazy feta is one of the things I always, without fail, put in my salad. And then save for last because it’s so good. I’m excited to try out the recipe!
Made this twice now, Amazing!
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The only crazy thing about this recipe is how CRAZY GOOD it is! My husband and I devoured it! I blogged about the awesomeness here: http://bakeeatrepeat.blogspot.com/2011/10/jalapeno-feta-dip.html.
(I’m afraid my pictures didn’t really do it justice. I hope my pictures will be as lovely and mouthwatering as yours someday!)
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This sounds like exactly what I need to bring to a Halloween party tomorrow. Yum-O. It will probably end up on my blog as well! THANKS for sharing!!! :)
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I used imported feta from Trader Joe’s: to die for.
Better than Whole Foods’ version!
Makin’ this bad boy for a party tonight, so excited about it!!!!!!!
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Okay, so I finally made this…as an appetizer for Turkey Day! I had to stop myself from eating it all with a spoon before people arrived. This is seriously like crack…well, if I knew what crack felt like. Maybe it’s like that feeling you got as a kid eating Pixie Stix. Remember those? Yeah, that’s close enough. Anyway, I posted about it and linked back to you like I normally do, because you know that’s how I roll! Thanks so much for this one! Cheers!
If you have a Sam’s nearby, they have the best prices on feta that I have found. They sell bricks of it, and also tubs of crumbles.
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Made this today for my cookie exchange tonight…it’s spicy and delish. Thanks for the recipe!
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We made this once and LOVED it, then I made it again with lower quality feta and it was so salty, my tips: Choose a great feta (the non-crumbled stuff is usually less salty because they haven’t had to pack it with more slat), the extra buck is worth it in the end, and use ALL of the jalapenos it needs it! Thanks for the great recipe this is really so good.
Oh my. WHY have I waited so long to make this?? I saw it the day you posted and knew I would love it. But I just made it today and it’s ah-mazing. Now I am sad because I have missed out on eating it all this time lol. I will make it constantly to make up for it. Oh, and I made the greek layer dip with most of it but kinda regret it because I am afraid it will overpower that amazing feta!
I love this recipe!! Another awesome greek inspired spread for sandwiches or french fries! Is Kalamata Olives and mayonnaise(Homemade mayo tastes best!) make sure your olives are blotted dry with a paper towel and then put them in the food processor, 2 parts olives, 1 part mayo, with S&P to taste. It is inspired by the Nordstrom cafe. Amazing on everything, thought you might like it with your ‘all things Greek’ attitude! My favorite thing to pair it with is homemade Fries tossed with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme!
i’m making this tonight for a friend’s birthday party! i’ve been thinking about it since you posted it, but didn’t have an occasion. i’m so glad that i finally do!
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Ah! I’m from DC and I LOVE Cava. I knew was this way the second I saw the title!! I’m so excited to make this!!
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I live in DC as well. LOVE Cava! I eat it by the containers. But it so pricey. So happy to make it today!
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Why did you change the name? :) Just curious.