Gelatin Free Citrus & Herb Marinated Olives
These marinated olives are the kind of appetizer that makes guests think you spent hours in the kitchen — when really, the stove does most of the work in under ten minutes. Warming the olive oil with garlic, rosemary, and thyme gently blooms every aromatic, creating an infused base that coats each olive in something truly special. Bright orange and lemon zest, a touch of turmeric, and a hint of ginger give the whole bowl a citrusy, slightly exotic warmth that's hard to stop snacking on. A final splash of fresh orange juice stirred in off the heat ties everything together with just enough acidity to balance the richness of the oil. Many store-bought marinated olives and flavored condiments sneak in stabilizers or gelling agents you'd never expect, so making your own from scratch means every single ingredient is exactly what it says it is — nothing hidden, nothing unnecessary. Letting the olives rest for at least thirty minutes before serving is the move that takes this from good to genuinely impressive, as the flavors continue to deepen and meld. Serve them warm or at room temperature alongside crusty bread, a cheese board, or honestly just straight from the bowl.
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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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