This quick marinated olives recipe is the easiest snack or appetizer you’ll ever throw together. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll transform good-quality olives into a delicious easy appetizer that’s cozy enough for a holiday party and classy enough for a dinner table spread.
Why You’ll Love It
This quick, easy & delicious marinated olives recipe is the kind of dish that instantly makes you look like a pro entertainer with almost no effort at all. And if you’re an olive lover like me, this recipe will be on repeat in your kitchen.
Not only is it one of the easiest snacks you can whip up, but it’s also made with simple ingredients that you can grab from any grocery store or olive bar.
I love using a variety of olives - green olives, kalamata olives, Castelvetrano olives, and even briny black olives. The different olive varieties create so much depth of flavor and that's what we want!
Add in extra virgin olive oil, a splash of red wine vinegar, garlic cloves, and orange zest. And BOOM you’ve got a simple appetizer with a unique flavor that tastes like it came straight from a fancy Spanish or Italian antipasto platter.
The great thing about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can serve it warm from a small saucepan with hot oil and fresh garlic. Or you can marinate the olives for 1–2 days in an airtight container to let the flavors develop for the best results.
It’s a great addition to a charcuterie board or cheese board, and it makes the perfect snack with some crusty bread, fresh herbs, or even a crumble of feta cheese. Whether you’re prepping for holiday get-togethers, planning a cocktail party, or just looking for a new recipe to keep in your recipe box, these delicious marinated olives are guaranteed to impress.
This olive recipe also works beautifully as part of an antipasto platter with local cheeses and fresh bread.
It’s one of my favorite ways to bring a touch of Mediterranean flair to any dinner party. And the best part? It’s ready in minutes but tastes like it’s been developed in the test kitchen for days.
Trust me, once you try this delicious marinated olives recipe, it’ll become one of your go-to easy recipes for every holiday season, brunch, or cozy night in.
Ingredients & Substitutions
With just a handful of ingredients, you'll have everything you’ll need to make this delicious marinated olives recipe. Feel free to mix and match the kind of olives. Choose depending on what’s available at your grocery store or olive bar.
- Mixed Italian olives: I like to use a variety of good quality briny olives. Try kalamata olives, Castelvetrano olives, green olives, or black olives. Use the best olives you can find for the best results. It's up to you if you want pitted or not so keep that in mind!
- Olive oil: Grab a high quality extra virgin olive oil to give the best flavor. But you can use whatever you have on hand.
- Red wine vinegar: This adds brightness and balances the richness of the olive oil. You could also swap it for 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice if that is more your style. Balsamic or champagne vinegar is another great option.
- Orange zest: You can also use orange peel or lemon zest for a slightly different citrus flavor. A vegetable peeler makes it easy to get big strips of lemon peel or orange peel if you want more texture.
- Garlic: For extra flavor, add thinly sliced crushed garlic cloves.
- Flaky salt: Brings out the natural briny flavor of the olives - while also giving some texture!
- Oregano: Dried or fresh oregano both work well here. Fresh rosemary or fresh thyme are also great options. You could also add fennel seeds for more Italian flare.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor - regular paprika also works if you can't find it.
- Fresh Cracked Pepper: You could also use red pepper flakes, chili flakes, or a pinch of chili pepper for a little heat.
No matter which olive variety or herb combo you choose, the texture of the olives soaks up the marinade and creates a delicious appetizer that everyone will love.
How to Make It
Here’s how to make this marinated olives recipe step by step. It’s truly an easy recipe and one of the best ways to elevate even the simplest olives.
- MAKE THE MARINADE: Add olive oil, red wine vinegar, orange zest, oregano, smoked paprika, flaky salt, and fresh cracked pepper to a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- TOSS THE OLIVES: Add the olives to the bowl and stir until the marinade coats each olive.
- MARINATE: Serve immediately for a quick snack, or let the olives rest in an airtight container for 1–2 days for deeper flavor and best results.
- SERVE: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the marinated olives to a serving bowl at room temperature. Pair with crusty bread, feta cheese, and fresh herbs for a great addition to any cheese board, charcuterie board, or antipasto platter.
- SAVE: Store leftover olives in the fridge in an airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to a week in the fridge, and the flavor gets even better over time.
What to Serve It With
Olive lovers get ready because this delicious marinated olives recipe is the perfect addition to just about any spread. Serve it as part of a Cheap Charcuterie Board with crusty bread. On a Greek Appetizer Spread with feta cheese. Or add it to an antipasto platter with cured meats, Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer Recipe with Salami & Pickles and a hearty fresh vegetable salad.
It’s also a great recipe for a holiday party or cocktail party because it’s a delicious appetizer that requires minimal prep but delivers maximum flavor.
Here arae some more tasty apps that it would be great with!
- How to Create a Festive Fall Cheese Board with Wine Pairings
- The Best Super Bowl Snacks & Appetizers Recipe Collection
- Italian Sliders on Hawaiian Pretzel Rolls
Whether you grab good olives from Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or your local olive bar, it doesn't matter. This olive marinade will bring so much flavor to your table. It’s one of those easy appetizers that will quickly become one of your favorite ways to impress guests.
Recipe
Quick, Easy & Delicious Marinated Olives Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz jar Mixed Italian Olives (or olives of choice - pitted or with pit)
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
- 2 cloves Garlic thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon Orange Zest
- 1 hefty pinch Flaky salt
- 1 hefty pinch Oregano
- 1 hefty pinch Smoked paprika
- a few cranks Fresh Cracked Pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and stir until well combined.
- Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Leave a Reply