By Laurel Perry
Updated Dec 9, 2024
When I’m looking for a simple yet delicious addition to my appetizer spread, I make these marinated olives. They’re ready to eat in as little as 45 minutes, and they’re so flavorful. I marinated these olives with fresh herbs, citrus zest, and plenty of garlic for a delectable appetizer that’s great on its own or as part of a charcuterie.
Marinated olives are one of life’s simple pleasures, and it turns out, they’re super easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and some jarred pitted olives, I was able to make these in no time at all. It’s super easy to change up the flavor and make them your own with different herbs and spices, too!
What’s in This Marinated Olives Recipe?
- Olive Oil: Creates the perfect base for infusing the olives with tons of flavor.
- Garlic: Adds savory flavor to the olives.
- Fresh Herbs : Rosemary and thyme add a fresh and herbal flavor to the olives. Feel free to get creative here and try other herbs, like oregano or sage!
- Citrus: Orange and lemon zest add a touch of acidity and brightness to the olives.
- Olives: I used a mixture of Castelvetrano and Kalamata olives, but any type of olive will work. Just make sure to use pitted olives for safety and maximum marinade penetration.
Tips for Success
- I did not rinse my olives, but you certainly can if you prefer.
- High-quality olive oil will solidify in the fridge, and that’s ok! Just make sure to take the olives out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to serve them.
- This marinade is also great with some feta cheese chunks added in!
How to Store
Store leftover marinated olives in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Let come to room temperature before serving.
Serving Suggestions
These marinated olives make a great addition to any appetizer spread. They make a great addition to any charcuterie board , and they’re also great served simply with some cheese focaccia to sop up all that yummy oil. I love to snack on them alongside handfuls of Gardetto’s !
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup olive oil
- ▢ 4 cloves garlic sliced and divided
- ▢ 2 sprigs fresh rosemary divided
- ▢ 4 sprigs fresh thyme divided
- ▢ 3 (2-inch) strips orange zest from 1 orange, divided
- ▢ 3 (2-inch) strips lemon zest from 1 lemon, divided
- ▢ 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- ▢ 8 ounces pitted Castelvetrano olives drained (1 jar)
- ▢ 8 ounces pitted Kalamata olives drained (1 jar)
Video
Instructions
- In a small pot, heat the olive oil, half the garlic, 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, 1 strip of orange zest, and 1 strip of lemon zest, and chili flakes if using until warm and fragrant. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes. 1 cup olive oil, 4 cloves garlic, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, 3 (2-inch) strips orange zest, 3 (2-inch) strips lemon zest, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- In a lidded container, layer in the olives, remaining half of the garlic, remaining rosemary, thyme, and zest. 8 ounces pitted Castelvetrano olives, 8 ounces pitted Kalamata olives
- Pour the infused oil, including the herbs, garlic and zest, over the olives. Stir, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Marinate Olives Step by Step
Heat the Oil: In a small pot, heat 1 cup of olive oil, 2 sliced cloves of garlic, 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, 1 strip of orange zest, 1 strip of lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of chili flakes (if using) until warm and fragrant. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
Layer the Olives: In a lidded container, layer in 8 ounces of drained Castelvetrano olives, 8 ounces of drained Kalamata olives, 2 sliced cloves of garlic, 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, 2 strips of lemon zest, and 2 strips of orange zest.
Marinate the Olives: Pour the infused oil, including the herbs, garlic, and zest, over the olives. Stir, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
More Vegetarian Appetizers to Try!
Fried Pickles (Ranch Pickles)
Blistered Sweet Peppers
Avocado Fries (Baked Fried Avocado Fries Recipe)
Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms
Marinated Olives Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic sliced and divided
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary divided
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme divided
- 3 (2-inch) strips orange zest from 1 orange, divided
- 3 (2-inch) strips lemon zest from 1 lemon, divided
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 8 ounces pitted Castelvetrano olives drained (1 jar)
- 8 ounces pitted Kalamata olives drained (1 jar)
Instructions
- In a small pot, heat the olive oil, half the garlic, 1 sprig of fresh rosemary, 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, 1 strip of orange zest, and 1 strip of lemon zest, and chili flakes if using until warm and fragrant. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes. 1 cup olive oil, 4 cloves garlic, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, 3 (2-inch) strips orange zest, 3 (2-inch) strips lemon zest, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- In a lidded container, layer in the olives, remaining half of the garlic, remaining rosemary, thyme, and zest. 8 ounces pitted Castelvetrano olives, 8 ounces pitted Kalamata olives
- Pour the infused oil, including the herbs, garlic and zest, over the olives. Stir, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
