Nitrate & Nitrite Free Ginger-Scallion 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. A quick turn in the pan with scallions, fresh ginger, and sliced garlic transforms everyday olives into something genuinely special — aromatic and glossy with good olive oil. The brightness of lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh juice cuts right through the richness, while fresh thyme adds an herby, almost floral note that ties everything together. Every single ingredient here is clean and whole, so there's no need to squint at a label or wonder what's lurking in a store-bought jar of marinated olives. Letting the finished bowl rest at room temperature for half an hour is the secret step — the oil soaks up all that ginger and citrus and turns into something you'll want to dip bread into. Serve these as a cocktail snack, alongside a cheese board, or honestly just on their own with a glass of something cold.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups mixed olives, pitted or unpitted (such as castelvetrano, kalamata, or cerignola)
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the olive oil, scallions, ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the scallions are softened and the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn golden at the edges, about 4–5 minutes. Watch closely — the garlic can brown quickly at this stage.
- 2
Add the olives and thyme sprigs to the pan. Stir to coat the olives in the oil, then cook until the olives are warmed through and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!