Marinated Olives Recipe

Introduction

Marinated olives are a simple yet flavorful appetizer that brings a burst of Mediterranean taste to your table. Infused with garlic, herbs, and lemon, they are perfect for serving warm or at room temperature with crusty bread. This easy recipe makes a delicious snack or party starter.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups mixed olives
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (peeled and sliced or smashed)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (or to taste)
• 1 small fresh red chili pepper (or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste)
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pour the olive oil into a small frying pan.
2. Step 2: Add the garlic, fennel seeds, dried oregano, chopped chili pepper, and lemon zest to the pan. Place over medium heat.
3. Step 3: Stir to combine and cook for about 1 minute, until aromatic. Avoid browning the garlic by turning down the heat if needed.
4. Step 4: Add the olives and cook, stirring to coat them in the flavored oil, for 3 minutes or until heated through.
5. Step 5: Stir in the lemon juice and simmer for 30 seconds.
6. Step 6: Serve warm to best enjoy the flavors. They can also be served at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of green and black olives for varied texture and flavor.
• Adjust the chili amount to control the heat to your liking.
• Try adding fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a different aromatic twist.
• Serve with warm crusty bread to soak up the delicious oil and juices.

Storage

Store leftover marinated olives in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or warm them briefly on the stovetop before serving. Olives are also great served cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use just one type of olive?

Yes, you can use any type of olive you prefer, though mixing varieties adds complexity to the flavor and texture.

How spicy will this recipe be?

The level of heat depends on the amount and type of chili used. You can reduce or omit the chili for a milder dish or add more for extra spice.

Marinated Olives Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 119 reviews

• Author: Elara
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4 as an appetizer 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Marinated Olives recipe features a flavorful blend of mixed olives simmered in fragrant olive oil infused with garlic, fennel seeds, oregano, chili, and fresh lemon zest and juice. It’s a quick and easy appetizer or snack that highlights Mediterranean flavors and is perfect served warm with crusty bread to soak up the aromatic oil.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Olives and Marinade

• 1½ cups mixed olives
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced or smashed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (or to taste)
• 1 small fresh red chili pepper (or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste), chopped
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Heat the Olive Oil: Pour the extra virgin olive oil into a small frying pan and place it over medium heat.
2. Add Aromatics: Add sliced or smashed garlic cloves, fennel seeds, dried oregano, chopped red chili pepper, and lemon zest to the pan. Stir well to combine and cook gently.
3. Infuse the Oil: Cook the mixture for about 1 minute until aromatic, taking care not to let the garlic brown. Reduce heat if the oil is heating too rapidly.
4. Cook the Olives: Add the mixed olives to the pan, stirring continuously to coat them evenly in the fragrant oil. Cook for 3 minutes until the olives are heated through completely.
5. Finish with Lemon Juice: Pour in the lemon juice and let the mixture simmer for 30 seconds to blend the flavors.
6. Serve Warm: Transfer the marinated olives to a serving dish and serve warm to enjoy the best flavor. These olives can also be served at room temperature, or gently reheated in a microwave or on the stove.
7. Enjoy: Pair with crusty bread for mopping up the delicious, aromatic oil.

Notes

• Use a variety of mixed olives such as Kalamata, Castelvetrano, and green olives for depth of flavor.
• You can adjust the amount of chili pepper or red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
• Serving the olives warm brings out the best flavor and aroma, but they can also be enjoyed at room temperature.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: Marinated olives, Mediterranean appetizer, garlic olives, lemon olives, fennel seeds olives, easy olive recipe