Gelatin Free Herb-Marinated Olives
Warm, fragrant, and deeply savory, these herb-marinated olives are the kind of appetizer that disappears from the table before anything else does. A mix of Castelvetrano, Kalamata, and Cerignola olives brings a range of textures and briny depth, while a quick infusion of rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sliced garlic in good olive oil transforms them into something genuinely special. The lemon zest and red pepper flakes add just enough brightness and heat to keep every bite interesting. Many store-bought marinated olives contain hidden additives or preservatives, so making your own means you know exactly what's in the jar — and these are entirely plant-based with no animal-derived thickeners or setting agents to worry about. The technique is simple: gently warm the aromatics in oil, add the olives, then let everything rest and meld together for at least 30 minutes. That resting time is where the magic happens, as the oil soaks up all those herby, garlicky flavors and coats each olive beautifully. Keep a jar in the fridge and you've got an effortless, crowd-pleasing snack ready to go whenever you need it.
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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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