Artificial Food Coloring Free Citrus & Herb Marinated Olives
These marinated olives are the kind of appetizer that makes guests think you spent way more effort than you actually did. Warm olive oil carries the fragrance of fresh rosemary and thyme into every bite, while orange and lemon zest brighten the whole thing with a citrusy lift that feels genuinely sophisticated. A pinch of turmeric and ginger adds subtle warmth and depth without overpowering the natural brininess of the olives. Every single ingredient here is whole and real — no dyes, no artificial colorings, nothing that needs a magnifying glass to decode on a label. That matters more than people realize with store-bought flavored olives, which can sometimes sneak in color additives to make them look more vibrant. Here, the golden hue comes entirely from turmeric, and the gorgeous aroma is all fresh herbs and citrus doing their thing. Let them rest for at least 30 minutes before serving and the infused oil transforms into something you'll want to mop up with 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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