Pork Free Marinated Olives with Citrus and Herbs
Briny, fragrant, and impossibly easy to pull together, these citrus-and-herb marinated olives are the kind of appetizer that makes guests think you put in far more effort than you actually did. A mix of Castelvetrano, Kalamata, and Cerignola olives brings a range of textures and flavors — buttery, meaty, and rich — all soaking up a warm infusion of orange zest, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, and a gentle kick of red pepper flakes. The technique is simple: you're just coaxing olive oil, garlic, and aromatics over low heat until everything blooms and turns deeply fragrant, then letting the olives rest in that infused oil so every bite is packed with flavor. Because this dish is built entirely from whole, straightforward ingredients, there's no need to scrutinize labels or worry about hidden additives sneaking in. It works beautifully as a cocktail-hour snack, a cheese board companion, or a casual starter alongside crusty bread. Serve them warm straight from the pan or let them come to room temperature — either way, the infused oil pooled at the bottom of the bowl is practically worth drinking on its own.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 cups mixed olives, drained (such as castelvetrano, kalamata, and cerignola)
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, lightly smashed and peeled
- 3 wide strips orange zest (removed with a vegetable peeler)
- 2 wide strips lemon zest (removed with a vegetable peeler)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp fennel seeds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the olive oil, garlic, orange zest, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, red pepper flakes, and fennel seeds (if using) in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm until the oil begins to sizzle gently around the garlic and the herbs are fragrant, about 4–5 minutes. Do not let the garlic brown.
- 2
Add the drained olives to the saucepan and stir to coat. Continue to warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the olives are heated through and the oil is deeply fragrant, about 4–5 minutes.
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