Fish Free Mediterranean Marinated Olives
Briny, fragrant, and impossibly easy to pull together, these marinated olives are the kind of appetizer that makes a simple spread feel genuinely special. A mix of Castelvetrano, Kalamata, and Cerignola olives brings a range of textures and flavors — buttery, tangy, meaty — all soaking up a warm infused oil with garlic, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, turmeric, and ginger. That gentle warming step is the real secret: it coaxes the aromatics into the oil so every olive ends up deeply flavored rather than just coated. The whole thing comes together in one small saucepan, and the longer you let the olives sit in the fridge, the better they taste. Store-bought marinated olives often sneak in unexpected ingredients, so making your own means you know exactly what's in the jar. Scatter some fresh parsley over the top before serving and set them out alongside crusty bread or a cheese board — they'll disappear fast.
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
- 1 ½ cups mixed olives (such as castelvetrano, kalamata, and cerignola), pitted or whole
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 strip lemon zest (about 3 inches), pith removed
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Drain the olives and pat them dry with a paper towel, then transfer to a clean jar or heatproof bowl.
- 2
Combine the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, turmeric, ginger, and salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn golden at the edges, about 3–4 minutes — watch closely, as the garlic can brown quickly.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!