Sesame Free Citrus & Herb Marinated Olives
Briny, fragrant, and impossibly easy to pull together, these marinated olives are the kind of appetizer that makes guests think you spent far more effort than you actually did. Warm olive oil blooms with sliced garlic, fresh rosemary, and thyme before the olives get tossed in alongside bright citrus zests, a whisper of turmeric, and a touch of ginger — the result is something deeply aromatic and a little unexpected. A splash of fresh orange juice stirred in at the end ties everything together with a subtle sweetness that balances the brine beautifully. Packaged marinated olives can be a minefield of hidden ingredients, but here every single component is straightforward and easy to verify, making this a genuinely stress-free option. Letting the olives rest for at least 30 minutes before serving is the move — the infused oil soaks into every olive and the flavors mellow and deepen into something truly special. Serve them warm or at room temperature alongside crusty bread, a cheese board, or just straight from the bowl with a toothpick and zero apologies.
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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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