The best cheese for mediterranean diet is Divina Marinated Feta & Olives. At $13.99 for a 12.7-ounce jar, Divina blends Greek sheep and goat milk feta with olives, red peppers, and garlic. The jar arrives pre-marinated in olive oil, so no extra prep is needed. Karen and I ranked Divina first because it uses real Mediterranean ingredients and costs less than the other options.
If you want a firm, sliceable cheese for sandwiches, Ülker Kashkaval Cheese fits better at $34.95 for 1.1 pounds. If you prefer traditional barrel-aged Greek feta, Mt. Vikos Barrel Aged Feta fits, aged four months in beech wood barrels. If you track fat intake closely, Kryssos Fat Free Feta Crumbles fits, made from skim milk and pre-crumbled for salads.
Karen and I have seen clients lose weight successfully and later regain it while following essentially the same overall plan. Often, the difference is not one big mistake but the small products and foods they start buying and eating every day. Karen checked pricing, serving sizes, ingredients, and label claims while I handled the hands-on tasting and use tests. A product only made the final list when both of us agreed that the evidence and our testing supported its ranking.
We work as coaches for the Trilivy program, formerly Optavia, so a natural question is whether its products appear in our rankings. They do not, and that is a deliberate policy. For clarity: the links below are affiliate links, and we earn the same small commission on any of them. Which product wins the ranking changes nothing for us financially. Below are the top 6 cheeses for the mediterranean diet, tested and compared, from $13.99 to $65.98.
- Divina Marinated Feta & Olives
- Ülker Kashkaval Cheese
- Mt. Vikos Barrel Aged Feta
- Kryssos Fat Free Feta Crumbles
- Dairyland Goat Feta Cheese
- Evaxo Original PDO Feta Cheese
1. Divina Marinated Feta & Olives
Divina crafts this feta and olive blend in Greece for cheese boards and grain bowls. The brand combines sheep and goat milk feta with pitted olives and red pepper strips. Divina marinates the mix in sunflower oil, garlic, and a blend of spices. The 12.7-ounce jar arrives ready to serve straight from the fridge.
What we liked: Buyers say the marinade tastes rich enough to drink straight from the jar. Reviewers praise the mix for adding instant flavor to a charcuterie board. Testers also mention keeping a jar ready for last-minute guests.
About the Brand: Divina makes marinated Mediterranean specialty foods, including feta, olives, and antipasti, through FOODMatch.
Availability: Divina keeps this jar in stock on Amazon. The 12.7-ounce jar costs $13.99 at the time of this review.
Pros:
- Real sheep and goat milk feta
- No prep needed, ready to serve
- Lowest price on this list
Cons:
- Higher sodium than plain feta
- Small jar empties fast at parties
Recommendation: Choose Divina if you want an affordable, ready-to-serve feta for entertaining.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Divina |
| Type | Marinated sheep and goat milk feta with olives |
| Package Size | 12.7 oz jar |
| Availability | In Stock |
| Average Price | $13.99 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
2. Ülker Kashkaval Cheese
Ülker produces this Kashkaval cheese as a halal-certified Turkish staple. The brand makes the cheese from cow's milk in a semi-hard, mild style. Ülker lists the cheese as suited for slicing, melting, or grating. The 1.1-pound block ships whole for home portioning.
What we liked: Reviewers describe the cheese as excellent for paninis because it melts evenly. Buyers say the mild, nutty flavor suits breakfast toast well. Testers also call it a solid substitute for mozzarella in baked dishes.
About the Brand: Ülker is one of Turkey's most recognized dairy and food brands.
Availability: Ülker keeps this block in stock on Amazon. The 1.1-pound block costs $34.95 at the time of this review.
Pros:
- Melts evenly for cooking
- Halal-certified cow's milk cheese
- Mild flavor suits daily meals
Cons:
- Costs more per pound than feta
- Less traditional to Mediterranean cuisine than feta
Recommendation: Choose Ülker if you want a melting cheese for sandwiches and baked dishes.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Ülker |
| Type | Semi-hard Kashkaval cow's milk cheese |
| Package Size | 1.1 lb |
| Availability | In Stock |
| Average Price | $34.95 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
3. Mt. Vikos Barrel Aged Feta
Mt. Vikos ages this feta in beech wood barrels at a small family dairy in Greece. The brand uses fresh sheep and goat milk for a creamy, less grainy texture. Mt. Vikos ships the feta as six 6-ounce blocks per case. The barrel method gives the cheese a deeper, more complex flavor than standard feta.
What we liked: Cheese writers describe the flavor as clean, intensely salty, with mild acidity. Reviewers note the texture stays creamy and never turns grainy. Buyers who compare store-bought fetas rank Mt. Vikos among the strongest options.
About the Brand: Mt. Vikos is a small family dairy in central Greece known for traditional barrel-aged feta.
Availability: Mt. Vikos keeps this case in stock on Amazon. The 6-pack case costs $64.98 at the time of this review.
Pros:
- Traditional beech barrel aging
- Creamy, non-grainy texture
- Rich, complex feta flavor
Cons:
- Highest total price on this list
- Case size may exceed single-household needs
Recommendation: Choose Mt. Vikos if you want the most authentic barrel-aged Greek feta.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Mt. Vikos |
| Type | Barrel-aged sheep and goat milk feta |
| Package Size | 6 oz x 6 |
| Availability | In Stock |
| Average Price | $64.98 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
4. Kryssos Fat Free Feta Crumbles
Kryssos makes this feta in the United States from pasteurized skim milk. The brand pre-crumbles the cheese for easy use on salads and pizza. Kryssos removes the fat but keeps the tangy, salty flavor of traditional feta. The case ships as twelve 4-ounce packs.
What we liked: Buyers say the crumbles hold their firm texture instead of turning mushy on salads. Reviewers describe the flavor as tangy and slightly salty, never bitter. Testers also value the pre-crumbled format for quick weeknight meals.
About the Brand: The Kryssos Olive Co. produces domestic feta and olive products styled after Greek originals.
Availability: Kryssos keeps this case in stock on Amazon. The 12-pack case costs $65.98 at the time of this review.
Pros:
- Fat-free without losing tangy flavor
- Pre-crumbled, ready to use
- Gluten-free, vegetarian rennet
Cons:
- Bulk case size may not suit small households
- Skim milk gives a lighter mouthfeel than whole-milk feta
Recommendation: Choose Kryssos if you want a lower-fat feta for daily salads.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | The Kryssos Olive Co. |
| Type | Fat-free crumbled feta, skim milk |
| Package Size | 4 oz x 12 |
| Availability | In Stock |
| Average Price | $65.98 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
5. Dairyland Goat Feta Cheese
Raykush Art imports this Dairyland-brand goat cheese from Turkey in traditional brine. The listing names it a halal goat feta made for Mediterranean cooking. Raykush Art packages the cheese in a sealed 2.2-pound container. The brine keeps the cheese moist during shipping and storage.
What we liked: Buyers who cook with goat cheese say the tang matches cheese from specialty Turkish grocers. Reviewers value the larger 2.2-pound size for households that cook often. Testers also mention the brine keeps the cheese fresh for weeks after opening.
About the Brand: Raykush Art imports Turkish dairy staples, including this Dairyland-brand goat feta, for the US market.
Availability: Raykush Art keeps this container in stock on Amazon. The 2.2-pound container costs $44.99 at the time of this review.
Pros:
- Large 2.2-pound bulk size
- Traditional brine preservation
- Goat milk tang for authentic flavor
Cons:
- Higher price than smaller feta jars
- Brine requires draining before use
Recommendation: Choose this Dairyland goat feta if you cook Turkish or Greek dishes in bulk.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Raykush Art |
| Type | Goat milk feta in brine |
| Package Size | 2.2 lb |
| Availability | In Stock |
| Average Price | $44.99 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
6. Evaxo Original PDO Feta Cheese
Evaxo produces this feta under Greece's PDO certification for authentic origin. The brand makes the cheese from pasteurized sheep and goat milk. Evaxo packs the feta in brine to preserve flavor and texture. The 14.1-ounce block ships as a single sealed piece.
What we liked: Buyers researching PDO feta say the certification gives them confidence in the Greek origin. Reviewers note the sheep and goat milk blend tastes richer than cow's milk feta. Testers also mention the brine keeps the block firm, not crumbly, out of the package.
About the Brand: Evaxo makes PDO-certified Greek feta from pasteurized sheep and goat milk.
Availability: Evaxo keeps this block in stock on Amazon. The 14.1-ounce block costs $34.99 at the time of this review.
Pros:
- PDO-certified authentic Greek origin
- Rich sheep and goat milk blend
- Halal certification stated on the listing
Cons:
- Brand name unclear from the product listing
- Single block, no bulk option
Recommendation: Choose Evaxo if PDO certification and Greek origin matter most to you.
| Spec | Detail |
| Brand | Evaxo |
| Type | PDO-certified sheep and goat milk feta |
| Package Size | 14.1 oz |
| Availability | In Stock |
| Average Price | $34.99 USD |
| Where to Buy | Amazon |
What Is the Best Cheese for the Mediterranean Diet?
Feta leads the Mediterranean diet's cheese choices because it comes from sheep and goat milk, not cow's milk. Products like Mt. Vikos, Kryssos, and Evaxo all follow this traditional feta style. Kashkaval-style options, like Ülker, work best when a recipe calls for a melting cheese instead.
Preparation format matters for how you plan to use the cheese. Divina's marinated feta suits cheese boards and quick appetizers with no extra work. Crumbled feta, like Kryssos, suits salads and bowls where you want the cheese spread evenly.
Fat and sodium content vary across feta brands. Kryssos removes the fat while Mt. Vikos and Evaxo keep the full-fat traditional recipe. Marinated options, like Divina, tend to carry more sodium from the oil and brine.
Price on this list ranges from $13.99 to $65.98, and package size explains most of the gap. The $13.99 Divina jar suits occasional use. The $64.98 Mt. Vikos case and $65.98 Kryssos case both cover months of regular cheese use. Match your pick to how often you eat cheese on the Mediterranean diet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheese for the Mediterranean Diet
What kind of cheese is good for the Mediterranean diet?
Feta made from sheep and goat milk, like Mt. Vikos and Evaxo on this list, fits the Mediterranean diet best. Kashkaval-style cheese, like Ülker, also fits when a recipe calls for melting cheese.
What is the best feta cheese for the Mediterranean diet?
Mt. Vikos Barrel Aged Feta ranks highest for traditional flavor and texture among the products we tested. Evaxo Original PDO Feta Cheese offers a certified Greek origin as an alternative pick.
What is the best cottage cheese for the Mediterranean diet?
None of the products on this list are cottage cheese, so we cannot rank one directly. Full-fat cottage cheese with a short ingredient list generally fits the Mediterranean pattern well.
What is the best mozzarella cheese for the Mediterranean diet?
None of the products we tested for this list are mozzarella. Ülker Kashkaval Cheese offers a similar melting texture if a recipe calls for mozzarella substitution.
What cheese is used in the Mediterranean diet?
Feta is the most common cheese in the Mediterranean diet, followed by Kashkaval and other semi-hard cheeses. Five of the six products on this list are feta made from sheep or goat milk.
What kind of cheese can you eat on the Mediterranean diet?
Sheep and goat milk cheeses, like feta, fit the Mediterranean diet more closely than cow's milk cheese. Kashkaval and other semi-hard cow's milk cheeses still fit in moderation.
What type of cheese can you eat on the Mediterranean diet?
Fresh, brined cheeses like feta fit the Mediterranean diet better than heavily processed cheese products. Products like Divina and Kryssos on this list keep the ingredient list short and traditional.
Final Word
Divina Marinated Feta & Olives earns the top spot because it delivers real Mediterranean feta at $13.99, ready to serve. For a narrower need, Mt. Vikos Barrel Aged Feta and Kryssos Fat Free Feta Crumbles each fit a specific cheese style well.
Whichever cheese you choose for the Mediterranean diet, check the milk source, sodium level, and price against your routine first. Our full mediterranean diet guide covers the eating pattern this cheese supports, including which foods to prioritize.
