Tree Nut 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 spent far more effort than you actually did. A mix of Castelvetrano, Kalamata, and Cerignola olives brings a range of buttery, meaty, and tangy notes to the bowl, while warm olive oil infused with orange zest, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, and a pinch of red pepper flakes ties everything together in the most aromatic way. The technique is simple — you're essentially blooming those flavors gently on the stovetop, which coaxes out a depth you'd never get from a cold marinade. Letting the olives rest in that fragrant oil for at least 30 minutes is the real secret, giving everything time to meld into something that tastes like it came from a good Mediterranean deli. Store-bought marinated olives can sometimes hide unexpected additives, so making your own means you know exactly what's in the bowl. Serve them warm or at room temperature alongside crusty bread, a cheese board, or just a glass of wine — they disappear fast either way.
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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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