Marinated Olives
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Marinated olives make a perfect appetizer for holiday parties and beyond. Pair them with some cheese and charcuterie and you have the perfect dish to serve for any event.
Party appetizers don’t have to be difficult or super involved. Whenever we host a party, I always try to have a few super easy appetizers that I can make ahead but that I know will be popular with the crowd. Marinated olives are so perfect for this because they are a ridiculously easy appetizer recipe but also look great on the table.
Olives are great on their own but, when marinated, they are next level delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Marinated Olives Recipe
- So easy to make!
- Perfect make ahead appetizer!
- Always a crowd pleaser.
- Flexible recipe – you can swap out things for what you have available.
When making these for our annual holiday party, I like to serve them warm. However, they are perfect at room temperature too.
Ingredients for Marinated Olives
- Extra-virgin Olive Oil: Be sure to use a high quality, cold-pressed olive oil here. It will make a big difference.
- Garlic Cloves: You’ll want fresh garlic here instead of the jarred version.
- Citrus Zest: This recipe uses orange and lemon zest.
- Fresh Rosemary: You can swap this out with fresh thyme, fresh oregano, or even fresh parsley. A combination of any of these is fine too.
- Bay Leaves: Be sure to remove these before serving.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Olives
Marinated Olives Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of olives should you use for this marinated olives recipe? I use a mix of my favorite olives so there is a ton of flavors there. Keep in mind that the color of the olive indicates the ripeness of the olive so the flavors will be different when they are different colors. Also be sure to avoid stuffed or already marinated options.
A few olives that I would include:
- Kalamata
- Niçoise
- Alfonso
- Manzanilla
- Liguria
How long should I marinate the olives? I recommend marinating them for at least an hour but you can keep them in the marinade, refrigerated, for up to two weeks.
Can I use pitted olives? I prefer pitted olives because they are easier to eat AND because they really soak up the flavor. But, not all olive types are readily available already pitted.
How do you store marinated olives? Store the olives in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
How do you serve marinated olives? You will definitely want to serve these at room temperature or slightly warmed. This allows the oil to loosen after being in the refrigerator. I always place little toothpicks and a bowl next to the olives for easy eating.
More Great Appetizer Recipes
If you like this recipe for marinated olives, be sure to check out these other great easy appetizer recipes:
- Mini Caprese Appetizers
- Party Cheese Ball
- BBQ Little Smokies
- Mediterranean Feta Salsa
- Whipped Basil Feta Dip
Marinated Olives
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves peeled and thinly slices
- 3 Tablespoons orange zest
- 3 Tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup pitted brined green olives
- 1 cup pitted brined black olives
Instructions
- Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until it starts to turn golden brown; about 2 minutes.1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 4 garlic cloves
- Add orange zest, lemon zest, rosemary, bay leaves and crushed red pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.3 Tablespoons orange zest, 3 Tablespoons lemon zest, 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary, 2 bay leaves, Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- Add olives and cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let marinate for an hour or longer. (If marinating for more than an hour, transfer to the refrigerator after an hour.)1 cup pitted brined green olives, 1 cup pitted brined black olives
- Serve at room temperature or warm. Store, covered, for up to two weeks. Reheat on low heat before serving.
Notes
- These marinated olives are best when served warm but room temperature is delicious too.
Nutrition
I am trying the marinated olives!!!
Delicious! Perfect addition to a charcuterie board!
These are so great. Added a big bowl to our cheese board!