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Spicy Greek Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)

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This 5-Minute Spicy Greek Feta Dip (Tirokafteri) is quick and easy to make and irresistibly delicious. Feel free to serve it with bread, veggies, or any other favorite dippers.

Spicy Greek Feta Dip Recipe with Roasted Red Peppers

The first morning that we arrived in Santorini, we were admittedly exhausted. An unexpected mistake by my accountant had kept us up working well past midnight the night before we left, which was followed much too soon by an alarm waking us back up in time for the 5am cheap flight we had snagged, which was then followed by a crazy taxi ride to the airport that left me reeling with an unexpected bout of motion sickness. So by the time that we finally stumbled in Greece — bleary eyed, toting our haphazardly-packed bags, and clutching the largest coffees we could find — I have to say, all we really wanted to do was take a nap.

Not exactly the easy-breeze start to a dream vacation that I had imagined.

Thankfully, the greeter at our hotel seemed to sense that we were in need of some reviving, and walked outside to point us in the direction of the bay for lunch. And sure enough, the moment we made our way down those dozens and dozens of stairs and walked out next to that impossibly-blue sparkling water — we took a deep breath and looked at one another in complete awe.

Now this was what we had been waiting for.

We walked over to the Sunset Tavern and settled in to a tiny little table by the sea (like, the table leg was literally a foot from the sea), ordered our very first Greek salad of the trip, spicy feta dip, a loaf of crusty bread, a big bowl of Kalamata olives, and two crisp whites, and then sat out there in that warm sunshine for hours talking and taking our time and savoring every last bite of our first Greek meal — and it was perfect. Just the reset we needed. And a lunch I will never forget.

Back to this spicy feta dip, though. I got excited and impulsively ordered it simply because it included the word “spicy”, which you’ll never see on a menu in Spain, but wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. Turns out that Greek spicy feta dip — or tirokafteri — is the dip of my dreams. It was a simple roasted red pepper cheese dip that I could have sworn was the Southern pimento dip of my childhood — creamy, tangy, savory, with just a hint of spice, and downright irresistible. We became instant fans and proceeded to order it a half dozen more times on the trip, anytime we saw it on a menu. And then, of course, came home to Barcelona and immediately had to figure out how to make it for ourselves.

I have a feeling you are going to love it.

Ammoudi Sunset Tavern in Santorini

That very first seaside meal in Santorini.

Let’s make some. ♡

Spicy Greek Feta Dip Ingredients

Feta Cheese Dip Ingredients:

Fair warning, this cheese dip is rich.  A generous portion of feta is where we begin, but the amounts of the remaining ingredients are totally up to you. If you would like a smokier, sweeter dip, feel free to add in more roasted red peppers. If you would like a spicier dip, keep adding in the crushed red pepper flakes. If you would like a more herb-y dip, feel free to also add in some oregano (or sprinkle it on top). It’s all up to you.

To make it, you’ll need:

  • Feta Cheese: The star of the show. Sheep’s milk feta cheese is traditional in Greece, but whatever feta you can find will do, either in a block or crumbled.
  • Roasted Red Peppers: Either homemade or (I recommend) store-bought in a jar
  • Olive Oil and Red Wine Vinegar: Both traditionally used in this dip.
  • Garlic: Just one clove of raw garlic.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: The traditional Greek dip is sometimes made with fresh spicy peppers, sometimes dried. But for the recipe below, I went with a simple pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Feel free to add more or less to taste.

How To Make Spicy Greek Feta Dip

How To Make Feta Dip:

To make this feta dip, simply combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. It only takes a few minutes — so easy! If you’d like a thinner dip, feel free to add in a splash of water. Then sprinkle with your desired garnishes (I like to add some extra crushed red pepper flakes, feta and a pinch of oregano). And…serve!

Tirokafteri Recipe (Spicy Greek Feta Dip)

What To Serve With This Feta Dip:

Want to make a full Greek meal with this dip? I’d recommend making some:

Spicy Greek Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)

Also, for more details and travel recommendations from our trip to Greece, feel free to check out my full trip recap here! Enjoy, friends!

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Spicy Greek Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 13 reviews
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 -10 servings 1x

Description

This 5-Minute Spicy Greek Feta Dip (Tirokafteri) is quick and easy to make and irresistibly delicious.  Feel free to serve it with bread, veggies, or any other favorite dippers.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 10 ounces feta
  • 2 medium roasted red peppers*
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 small clove garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
  • optional garnishes: extra crumbled feta, extra crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and/or Kalamata olives

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
  2. Transfer to a serving bowl, and top with your desired garnishes.  Or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Notes

*You are welcome to either core and roast your own red peppers in the oven, or (shortcut!) use store-bought roasted red peppers from the jar.

Spicy Feta Dip with Roasted Red Peppers

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34 comments on “Spicy Greek Feta Dip (Tirokafteri)”

  1. This sounds so good! You’re in one of my dream places! Someday, I will go there and I will think of y’all and this meal! Thank you so much for sharing!

  2. AHH I love feta and always have some on hand in the fridge! So excited to try this…I know I’ll love it!

  3. This looks so delicious!
    Kari

  4. Hi !!Did you taste Fava???Santorini except of the wine -sunset capers is famous for fava beans…

  5. This looks so delicious!! I’m going to make it tonight!

  6. I love food that tastes delicious and also reminds you of a fab vacation! Double win! This looks great and love the top garnishes so it plates well!

  7. You know, I have absolutely no use for dips – don’t do parties, don’t do appetizers, any of that kind of stuff – but this dip seems like something I must make. I like the idea of doing it with some oregano sprinkled on top…

  8. Made this yesterday as part of meze of starters. Very good dish. Very authentic flavour. Very simple (if you can buy the jar of peppers, which I can in my local shop).






  9. This was wonderful-Great flavor. I even roasted my own peppers and added just a bit of black pepper! Delicious. I look forward to sharing it with some dear friends!






  10. Forget the recipe…i’ll take some of that waterfront view… :)

  11. Do you think this would work if it was baked?? It sounds like it could be delicious warmed in the oven?!

  12. You know, I have absolutely no use for dips – don’t do parties, don’t do appetizers, any of that kind of stuff – but this dip seems like something I must make. I like the idea of doing it with some oregano sprinkled on top…peace and love

  13. So quick and easy. I see much of this in my future. My whole family loved it.






  14. My friend who stayed the weekend made it for our Christmas cookie exchange last Saturday and everyone raved about it. I was fortunate enough to have some left over. I used the leftovers as a spread for a grilled chicken wrap made with fresh spinach leaves, sliced red pepper, sliced cucumbers and some feta cheese and that was amazing!

    Thank you so much for the recipe!

    Doni

  15. This is the best and simplest tirokafteri yet!






  16. So easy and super delicious! It takes no time at all and most ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. I used my blender instad of the food processor and it worked just as well. Love this dip and highly recommend it!






  17. I’d never seen anything similar but wanted something a bit different to go with the tzatziki and hummus. This was absolutely perfect and I’ve had requests to make again!






  18. Just made this! So delicious! Couldn’t stop eating it! So moreish!






  19. Deeeelish! Haven’t been able to find this dip in years, so I decided to make it myself. Your recipe is on point! This will now be made regularly in my household. Thank you!!! Going to try your hummus recipe now ?






  20. The jarred red peppers are in strips. How many would you use for this recipe? Please help. Making this weekend. Thank you!






    • I was wondering this same thing! Were you ever able to figure it out? Hoping to make this soon

    • Just drain them well and throw them in the food processor. The key is to drain them well; maybe, even, after draining, place them on some paper towel or a old towel for a couple of minutes.

  21. I absolute hate bell peppers. I can’t even get past the smell. I like the idea of this dip, though. What kind of peppers could I use as a replacement?

    • If you think of anything let me know. Thinking paprika and chili oil for mine. Make it spicier

  22. I always have feta cheese and never know What to do with it to make it more pleasant. Just made it with home grill peper which it’s and extra smoky flavor. Thank you very much. Excited to serve this at breakfast for. My lover ??

  23. Oh. My. God. This was so good! We did Habanero red pepper flakes (all we had on hand). Unreal recipe.






  24. I only had 5 oz of feta cheese so I swapped out the other 5 for goat cheese. We ate it with some warm pita bread and it was amazing. My new go-to dip.






  25. Sorry, I should have added that I’d use a good cup of the chopped peppers.

  26. found it a little thick processing so added about a quarter cup of plain greek yogurt. not only did it thin the mixture out, but made the dip a little lighter and brighter.

  27. Have been wanting to make for a long time . Was wonderful






  28. Have made twice. It is a really solid tirokafteri.

  29. Hi! does anyone know the serving size of this dish? Like how much in oz/cups/etc. this recipe makes?

  30. Easier to just add favorites hot sauce to feta and blend