Description
Easy Marinated Olives are a flavorful make-ahead appetizer featuring a mix of olives marinated in olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon juice. Perfect for holidays and entertaining, this recipe involves simple preparation and allows the flavors to develop over time in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
Olives
- 1 cup Manzanilla olives
- 1 cup Pitted Kalamata olives
- 1 cup Queen olives
Marinade
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 ¼ cups Olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons Fresh dill
- 1 ½ tablespoons Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a glass jar, add the Manzanilla olives, Kalamata olives, Queen olives, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh rosemary, fresh dill, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Secure the lid tightly and shake the jar gently to mix all the ingredients.
- Marinate: Place the jar in the refrigerator and allow the olives to marinate for at least two days. This resting time lets the flavors meld and intensify.
- Serve: After two days, remove the olives from the jar for serving. Retain the olive oil marinade to use with any leftover olives or as a flavorful addition to salads, bread, or vegetables. Enjoy the olives as a delicious appetizer.
Notes
- Olive Varieties: Use a mix of Manzanilla, Kalamata, and Queen olives for best flavor, or choose your preferred varieties such as Castelvetrano or Cerignola.
- Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: Fresh herbs are recommended for optimal flavor. If using dried herbs, reduce the amount to half (1 teaspoon each).
- Marination Time: Minimum 2 hours, but best if left for 2 days. The flavor continues to develop for up to one week.
- Oil Solidification: Olive oil will solidify in the refrigerator. Let the jar sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to return the oil to liquid form.
- Storage: Store olives submerged in the marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
- Room Temperature Serving: Olives can be left out for 2-3 hours during entertaining, but refrigerate if left out longer.
- Save the Oil: The flavored olive oil is excellent for salad dressings, bread dipping, or drizzling over cooked vegetables.
- Variations: Add red pepper flakes for heat, substitute lemon with orange juice, or experiment with herbs such as oregano, thyme, or basil.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
