Almond Free Citrus & Herb Marinated Olives
Warm, fragrant, and deeply savory, these marinated olives are the kind of appetizer that disappears from the bowl before you've even finished pouring the drinks. The magic happens in a single small saucepan, where garlic slowly softens in olive oil alongside fresh rosemary and thyme until everything turns golden and impossibly aromatic. Bright citrus zest from both orange and lemon cuts through the richness, while a pinch of turmeric and ginger add a subtle warmth that makes the flavor profile feel genuinely special. A final splash of fresh orange juice ties it all together before the olives rest and soak up every drop of that infused oil. Store-bought marinated olives often come loaded with mystery ingredients and mixed-nut garnishes, so making your own means you know exactly what's in the bowl — and these are honestly better anyway. They work beautifully as a cocktail hour snack, a cheese board addition, or a simple starter alongside crusty bread.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups mixed olives, pitted or unpitted
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp orange zest (from about ½ orange)
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about ½ lemon)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
Instructions
- 1
Combine the olive oil, garlic, rosemary sprigs, and thyme sprigs in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook until the garlic is softened and just beginning to turn golden at the edges, about 4–5 minutes — watch closely, as the garlic can brown quickly.
- 2
Add the olives, orange zest, lemon zest, turmeric, ginger, and salt to the pan. Stir to coat the olives in the oil and spices, then cook until the olives are warmed through and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
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