Tirokafteri is a bold and creamy Greek spicy feta dip made with feta cheese, roasted peppers, olive oil, and a little chili heat. Itโs rich, tangy, and comes together in just 10 minutes.
For more easy Greek recipes, check out our tzatziki, spanakorizo, chicken gyros, and chicken souvlaki.
Tirokafteri: Feta with a Kick
The Greeks know their dips ๐ฌ๐ทโbut Tirokafteri, along with our whipped feta dip, might just be our favorite.
I first tried this spicy feta dip on a summer Interrail trip through Greece, and I was hooked from the first bite. When I made it for Louise, years later, it was love at first bite! It's salty, creamy, spicy, and full of punchy flavorโeverything she loves ๐.
Blended with roasted peppers, garlic, chili flakes, and a splash of vinegar, itโs the kind of dip youโll find yourself scooping up with everything.
Serve it with warm pita, and watch it disappear.
Ingredients
For quantities, see recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Feta cheese โ The star of the show. Use a good-quality Greek feta block, best if in brine, if you can.
- Greek yogurt โ Adds extra creaminess. Use full-fat or fat-free Greek-style yogurt (the thick kind).
- Roasted bell peppers โ Jarred or homemade both work great. Go with whatโs easiestโyou want that sweet, smoky flavor.
- Garlic โ Fresh only! It gives that punchy, spicy kick that makes this dip pop.
- Vinegar โ A splash of apple cider, white wine, or red wine vinegar brings brightness and balance. Donโt skip itโit cuts through the richness of the feta in the best way.
- Chili flakes โ Adjust the heat to your taste. Mild or fiery, youโre in charge.
- Dried oregano โ A generous pinch for that classic Greek aroma.
- Extra virgin olive oil โ Always the good stuff. Rich, fruity, and essential.
How to make Tirokafteri
Step 1: In a food processor, combine 3 roasted bell peppers, 11 oz (300 g) feta cheese, โ cup (160 g) Greek yogurt, 1 clove garlic (grated), 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoon vinegar, 1ยฝ teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Blend for about 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Transfer to a bowl. Crumble the remaining 2 oz (50 g) feta with a fork and fold it in for a rich, chunky texture.
Step 3: Top with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of oregano, and extra chili flakes if you like the heat. Serve this Greek feta dip with warm pita, crispy pita chips, or crunchy veggies.
Tips
- Use real Greek feta: The flavor and texture matter! Choose a block of feta in brine if possibleโitโs creamier and more flavorful than pre-crumbled versions.
- Roast your own peppers for extra depth: Jarred roasted peppers work fine, but if you have time, roasting fresh ones brings out a beautiful sweetness and smokiness.
- Adjust the heat to your liking: Start with a small amount of chili flakes, blend, and taste. You can always add more, but you canโt take it out! Some versions even use fresh chili or spicy pickled peppers (boukovo in Greece).
- Add yogurt for creaminessโbut donโt overdo it: Greek yogurt softens the sharpness of the feta and makes the spicy feta dip silkier.
- Blend most of the feta, but save some for texture: Keeping a handful of crumbled feta to stir in at the end gives that perfect combo of creamy and chunky.
- Donโt skip the vinegar: A splash of vinegar (apple cider, red wine, or white wine) adds brightness and balances the richness of the cheese and oil.
- Let it rest before serving: If you have time, let the Tirokafteri sit in the fridge for 30 minutes. The flavors deepen and meld beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tirokafteri (ฯฯ ฯฮฟฮบฮฑฯ ฯฮตฯฮฎ) comes from Greek: tyri means โcheese,โ and kafteri means โspicy.โ So it literally means โspicy cheeseโโand thatโs exactly what it is!
It depends on how much chili you add. Traditional versions range from mildly spicy to pretty fiery. You can easily control the heat by adjusting the chili flakes (or using fresh chili for extra kick).
Yes! Yogurt is optional. It makes the dip creamier and mellows the saltiness of the feta, but you can skip it for a sharper, more intense flavor.
Definitely. In fact, it tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge. The flavors meld and deepen. Just give it a quick stir before serving.
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, Tirokafteri keeps well for about 4โ5 days.
Freezing isnโt idealโfeta and yogurt can get grainy or watery once thawed. Itโs best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
Warm pita bread, crispy pita chips, veggie sticks, grilled meats, souvlaki, shawarma, gyros, or as part of a mezze spread with hummus, tzatziki, baba ganoush, and olives.
More Easy Mediterranean Recipes
- Mediterranean Chicken
- Baked cod
- Bean Salad with Tuna
- Greek Salad
- Orzo Salad with Feta
- Avgolemono Soup (Greek Chicken and Lemon Soup)
- Greek Chicken with Lemon and Orzo
- Honey Harissa Chicken
If you tried this Spicy Feta Dip recipe or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a ๐ star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!
Recipe
Tirokafteri (Spicy Feta Dip)
Ingredients
- 3 roasted bell peppers jarred or home-roasted
- 11 ounces feta cheese + 2 oz (50 g) for mashing
- โ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1ยฝ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes add more or less to taste
Instructions
- Blend: In a food processor, blend 3 roasted bell peppers, 11 ounces feta cheese, โ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 clove garlic, 1ยฝ teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, until creamy (it won't be perfectly smooth).
- Fold in Extra Feta: Transfer to a bowl. Crumble the remaining feta with a fork and fold it in for a rich, chunky texture.
- Serve: Top with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of oregano, and extra chili flakes if you like the heat. Serve with warm pita, crispy pita chips, grilled meats, or crunchy veggies.
Notes
- Feta cheese โ Use a Greek block in brine if possible. Itโs the star.
- Greek yogurt โ For extra creaminess. Full-fat or fat-free both work.
- Roasted bell peppers โ Jarred or homemade. Sweet and smoky either way.
- Garlic โ Fresh only. Brings the spicy kick.
- Vinegar โ Apple cider, white wine, or red wine. Brightens everything up.
- Chili flakes โ Add to taste. Mild or fieryโyour call.
- Dried oregano โ Just a pinch for that Greek flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil โ Use your best. Rich and essential.
- Use Greek feta โ Block in brine = creamier + more flavor. Skip the pre-crumbled stuff.
- Control the heat โ Start small with chili flakes, then taste and tweak.
- Yogurt = creaminess โ Just a spoon or two softens the feta without overpowering it.
- Blend + fold โ Blend most of the feta, then stir in some crumbled for texture.
- Donโt skip the vinegar โ It cuts through the richness and brightens the dip.
- Let it chill โ Rest in the fridge for 30 mins to deepen the flavor.
Dana says
Made this tirokafteri for dinner with your Greek salad and no-yeast flatbread and it was a huge success! The dip was creamy, spicy, and so flavorful. My husband couldnโt stop going back for more. Everything came together so easily, and it felt like we were eating in a little taverna by the sea. This oneโs going into our regular rotation!