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Marinated olives are a delicious, quick and easy appetizer – perfect for parties, adding to a charcuterie board or just snacking on.

clear jars with marinated olives on a board with sliced baguette

Need a tasty make ahead appetizer that doesn’t require any heavy lifting? These Marinated Olives are the ticket.

Just add olives, fresh herbs and a few simple ingredients then let everything hang out in the fridge for a few hours.

They’re a great addition to a charcuterie board – and I love popping a couple in my mouth for a quick snack.

charcuterie board with 2 clear jars of marinated olives and sliced baguette

I was in Paris last week – Paris!  – beautiful, romantic and some of the best food on the planet.

One of the many things I enjoyed there was that wherever we stopped for a glass of wine or dinner they always brought out a small bowl of marinated olives to munch on. Such a homey touch so as soon as I got home I started marinating olives … and can’t stop. They’re that good!

WHY I LOVE THIS MARINATED OLIVES RECIPE:

  • These delicious marinated olives are the perfect appetizer during the holiday season.
  • You only need a handful of ingredients for the olive oil marinade for tons of flavor.
  • A simple jar of olives is elevated with minimal effort.
  • No need to wait for a party – these olives make the easiest snack – enjoy anytime!
  • They’re a great addition to any cocktail party or holiday party.
  • Use any of your favorite olives for this recipe.

TIPS FOR THE BEST MARINATED OLIVES:

charcuterie board with 2 clear jars of marinated olives, sliced baguette and truffle butter
  • DO use the kind of olives you like best – green olives, kalamata olives, black olives from the grocery store.
  • DO buy good quality olive oil! 
  • DO NOT use unpitted olives! The pit is just too hard (and unsightly!) to eat around!
  • DO bring marinated olives to room temp before serving to restore color and texture.
  • DO serve alone or add olives to a cheese board, charcuterie board or antipasto platter.
  • DO add cubed feta or parmesan cheese to the marinated olives if the spirit moves you!
  • DO sub orange zest for lemon for a different twist.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE MARINATED OLIVES? 

  • olives (combination of green/castelvetrano and kalamata used) PITTED
  • lemon zest from one lemon
  • good quality extra virgin olive oil
  • garlic cloves
  • fresh thyme
  • fresh rosemary
  • crushed red pepper flakes 
  • sea salt and black pepper
  • jars (one 12 ounce OR smaller containers for individual serving)

HOW TO MAKE MARINATED OLIVES?

Drain olives in a colander. Rinse in cold water, use paper towels to dry excess water from the olives then set aside.

To a medium bowl, whisk oil, garlic, lemon zest,  crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

Add olives, gently turning to coat the olives well.

Layer olives with the fresh herbs in a glass jar, small dish or airtight container.

Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes – better at a couple of hours or up to overnight. Can make ahead up to 3 days. The olives are more flavorful the longer they marinate.

Remove olives from the fridge 30-45 minutes before serving so the olive oil comes to room temp and the color and texture of the oil is restored. Place in a serving bowl and dig in.

charcuterie board with 2 clear jars of marinated olives, truffle butter in another container and sliced baguette

WHAT TO SERVE WITH MARINATED OLIVES:

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Full recipe below. Enjoy!

pinterest pin showing marinated olives in a clear glass jar

Tried this Marinated Olives recipe? Leave a comment, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and TAG ME with a photo of yours on social media! @agoudalife or #agoudalife 

clear jars with marinated olives on a board with sliced baguette

Easy Marinated Olives

Marinated Olives – easy, easy and irresistibly delicious! Perfect for parties, add to a charcuterie board or pop a few in your mouth for a quick snack. Whips up in 5 minutes!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6
Calories

Equipment

  • jar(s) or other container for olives

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups olives (combination green/castelvetrano and kalamata used) PITTED
  • 1 whole lemon zest only
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil good quality
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled and rough chopped
  • 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme left whole
  • 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary left whole
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper or more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • pinch black pepper
  • jars ONE 12 ounce or THREE ounce jars for individual serving

Instructions
 

  • Drain olives in a colander. Rinse in cold water, use paper towels to dry excess water from the olives then set aside.
  • To a medium bowl, whisk oil, garlic, lemon zest,  crushed red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper together.
  • Add olives, gently turning to coat them. Layer olives in a glass jar, small dish or airtight container with the fresh herbs.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or overnight for best flavor (can make even a couple days ahead of time. The olives are more flavorful the longer they marinate.
  • Remove olives from the fridge 30-45 minutes before serving so the olive oil comes to room temp and the color and texture of the oil is restored.
Keyword marinated olives, easy marinated olives, best marinated olives, olives, olive recipes, easy holiday appetizer, no cook appetizer
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
5 from 1 vote

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