Name: Marinated Mozzarella Balls with Basil & Lemon
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb mozzarella balls; 0.75 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 tsp garlic; 0.25 cup fresh basil; 4 teaspoons lemon zest; 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice; 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes; 0.5 tsp kosher salt; toasted crostini, crackers, or bread

Marinated Mozzarella Balls with Basil & Lemon

Marinated Mozzarella Balls with Basil & Lemon cover

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Marinated Mozzarella Balls with Basil & Lemon

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Ingredients

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Instructions

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Instructions

Drain the liquid from the mozzarella balls. Place the mozzarella in a large jar or a medium bowl.

To a small bowl, add the olive oil, garlic, basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and salt. Whisk to combine.

Pour the marinade over the mozzarella balls. Stir to coat. Cover the jar or bowl and place the mozzarella balls in the fridge. Marinade for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight. Serve with crostini, crackers, or bread.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Marinate at Room Temperature First 🌡️
Let the mozzarella balls sit in the marinade at room temperature for 30 minutes before refrigerating to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the cheese and create a creamier texture.
Zest Before Juicing Your Lemons 🍋
Always zest your lemons first, then juice them—once they're juiced, they're too soft to zest effectively, and you'll lose that critical bright, aromatic component.
Slice Garlic Thin for Better Infusion 🧄
Thinly slice your garlic rather than mincing it—this increases surface area for better flavor distribution into the oil while keeping the cloves easy to remove if desired.
Use Burrata for an Elegant Variation 🧀
Substitute fresh burrata cheese for a more luxurious appetizer that offers a creamy center and dramatic presentation while maintaining the same marinade technique.
Add Basil in Two Stages ✂️
Reserve half your fresh basil to stir in just before serving—this preserves vibrant color and fresh flavor while the first batch infuses the oil with herbaceous depth.