This easy Cranberry Goat Cheese Log is a beautiful goat cheese appetizer, rolled in a spicy fresh cranberry relish and crunchy pistachios, that is perfect for the holidays.

Goat Cheese Log on black platter with cranberries


 

This delicious recipe is a awesome cheese appetizer inspired by our fresh cranberry salsa and love of all things goat cheese. This simple holiday appetizer is packed full of flavor with creamy goat cheese wrapped in tart fresh cranberries mixed with citrus zest, and a little heat from a finely diced jalapeno. We’ve even added some pistachios for a bit of crunch.

It’s a perfect addition to the holidays because you can make it a few days ahead of time and put it out with some cheese and crackers when you’re ready to entertain.

If you love cheese appetizers as much as we do you have to try our classic cheese ball, dried fruit baked brie, and pesto cream cheese spread !

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Goat Cheese Log ingredients

What You’ll Need

  • Goat cheese – I know goat cheese can be controversial. You either love it or you hate it. We happen to love it! If you don’t you can still make this recipe, just substitute cream cheese for goat cheese.
  • Cream cheese – We’ve added a bit of cream cheese to cut some of the sharpness of the goat cheese and to make it a little smoother.
  • Pistachios – These crunchy salted pistachios add just the right amount of texture to the coating. Buy shelled pistachios if you want to save yourself some time!
  • Fresh cranberries – These tart little berries are the perfect addition to any holiday meal. We use them in our cranberry sweet potato casserole, and my grandma’s cranberry fluff, and cranberry jello salad.
  • Jalapeño – We want just a little spice, not too much. To help remove some of the heat from the jalapeno make sure to remove the ribs ( the white lines inside the jalapeno, and the seeds.
  • Cilantro – This goes in the cranberry relish and in the cheese for a nice herb flavor.
  • Green onions – The green onions go great with the cheese and give it a nice herby flavor mixed with the cilantro.
  • Citrus zest – Orange and lime zest add to the bright flavor of this cheesy appetizer.
  • Honey – The honey is in the cranberry relish and the cheese mixture. It helps to cut some of the tanginess and add just a hint of sweetness.
Goat Cheese Log on black platter with fresh cranberries, pistachios and crackers

Instructions

Step 1 – Make the cranberry relish. We modified our fresh cranberry salsa to make this delish relish that coats your goat cheese. Start by putting the cranberries in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Do not puree you want to have small pieces of cranberry. 

Place the chopped cranberries into a medium bowl and add finely diced jalapenos, cilantro, green onions, orange zest, lime zest, and honey. Stir to combine and set a portion of it aside to use in the cheese log. Then store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

Step 2 – Mix Cheese Ingredients. In a separate bowl combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, cilantro, green onions, the cranberry relish you set aside earlier, and honey. Stir together until well combined and smooth.

how make wrap a Goat Cheese Log

Step 3 – Form the log. Spread a piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface and scoop the cheese mixture onto it making a straight line approximately 8 inches long.

Goat Cheese Log rolled on plastic wrap

Roll the cheese up tightly in the plastic wrap to form it into a smooth, cylindrical shape. 

Place the cheese in the refrigerator for approximately 1 hour to allow it to firm up. 

Step 4 – Drain the cranberry mixture. When the cheese has firmed up remove it and the cranberry mixture from the fridge. 

Pour the cranberry relish into a fine mesh strainer and press to remove the excess liquid. If you don’t have a fine mesh strainer you can line a regular strainer with heavy duty paper towels or cheesecloth. Wrap around the cranberry mixture and squeeze to remove excess moisture. 

Add the chopped pistachios to the cranberry mixture and stir together.  

Step 5 – Add the cranberry and pistachios to your cheese log. Place 2 pieces of plastic wrap on a flat surface with the long edge overlapping about 3 inches. Make sure the pieces are long enough to cover the cheese log. 

Spread cranberry mixture on the plastic wrap in a thin layer (enough that there are no bare spots) in a rectangle as long as the cheese log and about 6 inches high. 

Unwrap your cheese log and place it on the mixture. Roll it up using the plastic wrap so that the cranberry mixture wraps around the cheese. Press tightly to get the cranberries and nuts to stick to the cheese. 

Unwrap and serve or store in the refrigerator with the plastic wrap around it for up to 3 days. 

pistachio rolled Goat Cheese Log

What to Serve with It

You can serve your cheese with crackers and fresh fruit such as apples, figs, and pears as an addition to a delicious cheese tay or pair it with meat such as prosciutto on a charcuterie platter. You can cut sliced of fresh bread or toast the slices for a little extra crunch. You can even spread your cranberry and pistachio goat cheese on a warm bagel for an amazing start to a holiday morning.

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Servings: 12
Prep Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours

Cranberry Goat Cheese Log

This easy Cranberry Goat Cheese Log is a beautiful goat cheese appetizer, rolled in a spicy fresh cranberry relish and crunchy pistachios, that is perfect for the holidays.
Goat Cheese Log on black platter with cranberries
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Shelled and salted pistachios, chopped
  • 6 ounces Fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained
  • 1 Jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed, minced
  • 1/2 cup Cilantro, finely chopped and divided
  • 1/2 cup Green onions, finely sliced and divided
  • 1 tablespoon Orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon Lime zest
  • 2 tablespoons Honey, divided
  • 8 ounces Goat cheese, room temperature
  • 4 ounces Cream cheese, room temperature

Instructions

  • Add cranberries to your food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Do not puree you want to have small pieces of cranberry.
  • Place the chopped cranberries into a medium bowl and add finely diced jalapenos, ¼ cup cilantro, ¼ cup green onions, orange zest, lime zest, and 1 tablespoon honey. Stir to combine and set ¼ cup aside. Then place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • In a separate bowl combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, ¼ cup of cilantro, ¼ cup of green onions, ¼ cup of cranberry relish, and 1 tablespoon honey. Stir together until well combined and smooth.
  • Spread a piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface and scoop the cheese mixture onto it making a straight line approximately 8 inches long. Roll the cheese up tightly in the plastic wrap to form it into a smooth, cylindrical shape.
  • Place the cheese in the refrigerator for approximately 1 hour to allow it to firm up.
  • When the cheese has firmed up remove it and the cranberry mixture from the fridge.
  • Pour the cranberry relish into a fine mesh strainer and press to remove the excess liquid. If you don’t have a fine mesh strainer you can line a regular strainer with heavy duty paper towels or cheesecloth. Wrap around the cranberry mixture and squeeze to remove excess moisture.
  • Add the chopped pistachios to the cranberry mixture and stir together.
  • Place 2 pieces of plastic wrap on a flat surface with the long edge overlapping about 3 inches. Make sure the pieces are long enough to cover the cheese log.
  • Spread cranberry mixture on the plastic wrap in a thin layer (enough that there are no bare spots) in a rectangle as long as the cheese log and about 6 inches high.
  • Unwrap your cheese log and place it on the mixture. Roll it up using the plastic wrap so that the cranberry mixture wraps around the cheese. Press tightly to get the cranberries and nuts to stick to the cheese.
  • Unwrap and serve or store in the refrigerator with the plastic wrap around it for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 131kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 101mg, Potassium: 104mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 453IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 47mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Author: Kat Jeter & Melinda Caldwell
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese appetizer, cheese log, goat cheese appetizer, goat cheese log
Handwritten signature for Kat & Melinda