30 Minute Meals
Spicy Greek Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)
Prep
5 minutes
Yield
4 -6
This spicy feta dip, also known as tirokafteri in Greek, is so easy-to-make and delicious creamy and spicy. 🔥
This spicy feta dip is a traditional Greek dip called Tirokafteri. It is honestly, so delicious. You’ll want to make this all summer long as an easy appetizer to bring to potlucks, BBQs, or when you’re hosting. It’s made with creamy feta cheese and has a kick from the chili pepper (or jalapeno).
❤️ Why You’ll Love Spicy Feta Dip
- Easy: You can literally prep this spicy feta dip in only 5-minutes
- Versatile: Serve this dip with bread, crackers, or even spread it on a sandwich
- Spicy: This dip is spicy but is balanced nicely with the feta cheese
🍲 Ingredients
Feta – You want to buy the best quality feta so it doesn’t make your dip grainy. Buy it in whole blocks vs. pre-crumbled. Also, look for feta that is white color vs. yellow, and that is made in Greece.
Kalamata Olives – You can use any olives but kalamata have the best smooth, meaty texture that is perfect for this dip. Kalamata are the typical brown/black olives vs. green.
👩🍳 How to Make Spicy Feta Dip
- Add the feta to a food processor and pulse to break down into quite fine/small pieces.
- Add the chili pepper, drained roasted red peppers, garlic clove, olive oil, and red wine vinegar, and run the food processor on high until the dip is fully combined and smooth.
- Transfer to a low plate or bowl and garnish with parsley, olives, leftover crumbled feta cheese, 2 tbsp chopped roasted red pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with fresh or toasted pita bread.
- Store in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Buy the best quality feta you can find for the best consistency
- Let the dip sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour before serving to allow it to soak up the flavors and reach the best consistency
- If you don’t like spice, use a milder hot pepper like a jalapeno vs. something more spicy
🗒 Best served with
👝 How to Store Leftovers
Store in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container.
🤔 Common Questions
This feta dip is made of feta, chili pepper, garlic, and some easy spices. I love to top mine with olives too.
The translation of tirokafteri is essentially “spicy cheese”.
Feta did originate in Greece.
Feta is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product, so according to the EU law, the only “real” feta cheese is made in Greece.
Spicy Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)
Your Greek mommy that is. 😍 Step into my kitchen to learn how to make yummy Greek food. 🍽️💃
Ingredients
- 250-300 g feta cheese plus more for garnish
- 1 red chili pepper or jalapeno (keep seeds in the pepper for a spicier dip)
- 10-12 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained (save 2 tbsp chopped for the topping)
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1-2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives
- Pita bread for serving
Instructions
- Add the feta to a food processor and pulse to break down into quite fine / small pieces.
- Add the chili pepper, drained roasted red peppers, garlic clove, olive oil and red wine vinegar and run the food processor on high until the dip is fully combined until smooth.
- Transfer to a low plate or bowl and garnish with parsley, olives, leftover crumbled feta cheese, 2 tbsp chopped roasted red pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with fresh or toasted pita bread.
- Store in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days.
Video
Notes
- Make this recipe ahead of time but don’t garnish it. Store in the fridge for 2-3 days and then garnish when ready to enjoy.
- Instead of pitas, you could also serve this dip with crostini.
I enjoy this dip every time I visit Greece. First time making it myself and it was so delish! Brought it to a BBQ and it was enjoyed by everyone!
Thank you so much!
This is fabulous! I was looking for a spicy appitizer for a Greek meal I was preparing. I was a little skeptical at first. Had never heard of this dip. So glad I made it! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Thank you so much for trying my recipe, Molly! So glad you enjoyed it!!!
I tried this Tirokafteri recipe for xmas, and it turned out so tasty! The steps were straightforward, and the flavor was excellent. I reaaaaaally recommend using high-quality feta—I didn’t, and I think the flavours could have been even better with it. A solid five stars for this great recipe.
you’re an angel! And I echo your point, you have to use GOOD feta!
Just made this dip to go alongside chicken kebabs – wow, it was delicious! I will definitely be making this again! Also served with toasted pitta breads, as you suggested, and with carrot batons and sliced red peppers for a healthy kick start to the New Year! Super yummy! Thanks for sharing this fab recipe xx
This makes me so happy, thank you so much Sue!
Any opinion of what the best feta to use is?
Greek feta for sure! something fresh and delicious! NOT CRUMBLED.
I made this back in July and my husband has consistently talked about how good it was for the past 4 months. Definitely making again!
this makes me so ahppy!!!!
I made a giant Greek feast for my family and I had to try this dip from Maria’s series. It was a massive hit and I paired them with her viral pitas! LOVED!
thank you so much! this makes me so happy!
So so good! Made this for a dinner party and it was a huge hit! Must make! Thank you!!!
thank you so much sweetie!
Fantastic snack! I find when I’m hungry and I’m not sure what to eat this is a great healthy fall back that only takes a few minutes to make and keeps well in the fridge! My sister and I eat it almost every week
thank you so much, Madeleine!