The Most DELICIOUS Marinated Olives

Introduction

Bold in flavor, effortlessly impressive, and ready to elevate any table—these are The Most DELICIOUS Marinated Olives. This vibrant appetizer brings together plump, briny olives with fragrant herbs, zesty citrus, and a touch of chili heat, making this a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a festive dinner party, marinated olives are a classic, sophisticated addition that always spark conversation and satisfy every palate.

Deliciously Unique Marinated Olives

This recipe stands out by transforming ordinary olives into a bright, aromatic snack. Fresh citrus peel, whole spices, garlic, and a blend of olive oil and vinegar create dynamic layers of flavor. The longer you let the olives marinate, the more their rich, tangy, and savory notes intensify. Not only are these olives addictive, but they’re also delightfully easy to make ahead—perfect for meal planners and hosts looking for maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Crafting the Ultimate Marinade

The secret to truly DELICIOUS marinated olives is in the marinade. Start with a mix of your favorite green and black olives (pitted or whole), then add plenty of lemon and orange zest, fresh garlic slices, and sprigs of herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano. Crushed red pepper flakes introduce just enough heat to keep things exciting, while a generous pour of high-quality extra virgin olive oil ties all the flavors together. Letting the mixture rest for at least a few hours ensures the olives soak up every delicious note.

How to Serve The Most DELICIOUS Marinated Olives

These marinated olives are a versatile addition to your appetizer spread. Pile them high in a rustic bowl and serve them with toothpicks, alongside crusty bread or crackers to soak up the fragrant oil. They also make an excellent garnish for salads, or can be chopped and added to grain bowls and pasta dishes for a burst of flavor. Their striking colors and enticing aroma are sure to impress guests and add a touch of elegance to any meal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 2 cups of marinated olives—enough for 6-8 snack-size servings. Each serving contains approximately 100-120 calories, mostly from heart-healthy olive oil and the natural fats in the olives. Rich in antioxidants and flavor, this is a snack you can feel good about offering.

The Most DELICIOUS Marinated Olives (Recap)

Easy, make-ahead, and loaded with big, bright flavors—these marinated olives are a go-to recipe for any entertainer or meal prepper. Their savory, citrusy, and herbaceous notes make every bite a delight.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and seamless entertaining.

Instructions

1. Pat the olives dry with paper towels and add them to a large bowl or lidded jar.
2. In a small saucepan, gently heat the olive oil over low (do not let it boil). Add the garlic slices, lemon and orange zests, rosemary, thyme or oregano, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, and black peppercorns. Warm through for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, stirring often.
3. Remove from heat and let the oil mixture cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the red wine vinegar.
4. Pour the infused oil and all aromatics over the olives. Toss gently to coat all the olives evenly.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or ideally overnight) to marinate, stirring once or twice to redistribute the flavors. Bring to room temperature before serving.
6. Toss with fresh parsley before serving, if desired. Serve with toothpicks, crusty bread, or as part of an antipasto platter.

Weekly Meal Planning

This marinated olives recipe is a meal prep hero: it gets better with time, can be made days in advance, and easily fits into a busy week’s meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe via CookifyAI to plan your gatherings or snack rotation. Instantly generate smart shopping lists—CookifyAI will combine ingredients from all your selected recipes, sort them by store section, and prevent you from over-buying.

Planning Benefits:

• Auto-calculates total ingredient quantities for the week
• Organizes all shopping in one easy-to-follow list
• Helps minimize duplicate items and forgotten ingredients
• Makes advanced snack and appetizer prep a breeze

Pro tip: Schedule your favorite recipes together and manage overlapping ingredients—like fresh herbs or garlic—so nothing goes to waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes (plus minimum 4 hours marinating)