High Fructose Corn Syrup 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 citrus zest, fresh rosemary and thyme, and a gentle bloom of turmeric and ginger transform a simple bowl of olives into something genuinely special. The whole thing comes together in one small saucepan, and that 30-minute rest at room temperature is where the magic really happens — the infused oil soaks into every olive and the flavors meld into something deeply aromatic. Packaged marinated olives from the store often sneak in sweeteners, preservatives, or mystery brines that can be hard to vet. Making your own means every single ingredient is one you chose, and this recipe keeps it beautifully clean — just good olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, and bright citrus. There's no added sugar of any kind, so you get pure, savory, Mediterranean-style flavor without any of the label-reading stress. Serve them alongside cheese and crusty bread, or set them out on their own and watch them disappear.
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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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