Low Sodium Herb-Marinated Olives
Warm, fragrant, and deeply savory, these herb-marinated olives are the kind of appetizer that disappears from the bowl before anyone even sits down. A mix of Castelvetrano, Kalamata, and Cerignola olives brings a range of buttery, briny, and meaty textures that make every bite interesting. The magic here is gently warming the olives in extra-virgin olive oil with garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest — that slow infusion pulls all the aromatics together into something that tastes far more complex than the effort involved. Since olives are naturally salty on their own, no extra salt is needed at any point in the recipe, which makes this a genuinely effortless fit for anyone keeping a close eye on sodium without sacrificing bold flavor. Letting the olives rest in the infused oil for at least 30 minutes is the step you don't want to skip — it's where the real depth develops. Serve them at room temperature alongside crusty bread, or rewarm them gently and watch the oil go glossy and irresistible all over again. These also keep beautifully in a jar in the fridge, making them a smart make-ahead option for entertaining.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups mixed olives (such as castelvetrano, kalamata, and cerignola), drained
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp fresh oregano leaves
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about ½ lemon)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Combine the olive oil, garlic, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, oregano, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm until 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 drained olives and lemon zest to the saucepan. Stir to coat and continue warming over medium-low heat until the olives are heated through and the oil is bubbling gently around them, about 3–4 minutes.
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