Marinated Olives Recipe with Garlic & Herbs (2024)

Looking for the best marinated olives recipe? Here it is. Save money with this easy olive recipe. It’s a great appetizer for impromptu entertaining and the perfect addition to meat and cheese platters. Serve as is or with marinated feta cheese for easy low carb snacking.

THIS POST INCLUDES AFFILIATE LINKS TO SHARE THE THINGS I LOVE.

I love the beautiful gourmet olives at the olive bar in upscale grocery stores. I typically bring home 3-4 different options to try. Some are green and others black, some are brined and others not, but my favorite olives are those marinated with herbs and spices.

How to make marinated olives

Have you ever wondered how to marinate olives? You’ll be surprised how easy they are to make. To make marinated olives you just need olives, herbs and spices, aromatics, olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Mix everything together, cover, and refrigerate – that’s it! Just a few simple ingredients result in the best marinated olives.

Marinated Olive Ingredients

These are the ingredients I use when making marinatedolives. They’re easy to customize per individual taste and what you alreadyhave at hand.

• Assorted olives
• Fennel seeds
• Minced garlic or shallot
• Fresh chopped rosemary or thyme
• Fresh chopped parsley, basil or tarragon
• Red pepper flakes
• Red wine vinegar or lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Salt

How to serve marinated olives

For large gatherings, serve marinated olives in small bowls and place around the room for easy access.

For more intimate or impromptu settings, serve the marinated olives in a larger bowl with a spoon. I like pairing my olives with a bowl of marinated feta cheese or low carb hummus and almond crackers.

Don’t forget to include marinated olives on cheese plattersor charcuterie boards. Place the olives in small glass or wooden bowls right onthe meat and cheese platters or at least within reach.

Best olives for cheese platter or charcuterie board

I like to include a variety of black and green olives. Try punchy Kalamata olives or green olives stuffed with pimento, jalapeno, almonds, garlic, or cheese. And, mild green Castelvetrano olives are a must. Of course, including this recipe for marinated olives is appropriate.

For the ultimate Mediterranean inspired appetizer board servemarinated olives with Parmesancrisps, lowcarb focaccia bread, marinated feta cheese, roastedeggplant dip, rosemary crackers, and warm co*cktail nuts. Don’t forget tooffer a selection of dry and fruity wines.

NOTE: Specialty made olive serving bowls that include containers for olive pits are attractive and practical. Look for ceramic olive serving bowls and wooden olive serving bowls on Amazon or Etsy.

Olive Platter and Olive Tray Ideas

A good meat and cheese platter is always in style, but make olives the star with on-trend OLIVE PLATTERS! What a perfect way to enjoy your homemade marinated olives recipe.

What are olive platters you ask? Olive platters flip thescript on traditional appetizer platters by showcasing olives and filling inwith other ingredients.

To Make an Olive Platter

Choose a wide, flat platter or cutting board - the size is up to you.

Select 3-4 kinds of olives to showcase:

• Store bought or homemade marinated olives
• Brined tangy olives like Kalamata
• Stuffed olives with: almonds, pimento, jalapeno, garlic or cheese,
• Dry cured olives
• Whole olives like Castelvetrano

Place olives in bowls on the platter or cutting board or arrange them in groups.

Fill empty spaces with a selection of nuts and berries, cheese (try Manchego and soft goat cheese) and selected meats like shaved ham, cooked cut sausage, or roasted chicken.

How do you store marinated olives?

It’s best to store any leftover olives in their original container in the refrigerator. Brined olives and olives packed in oil will last for several months in the refrigerator. Make sure to use clean hands and utensils when handling the olives to avoid contamination.

Store canned olives in a clean container in their brine or salted water for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Store drained olives in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week.

Store marinated olives in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Marinated olives last for 1-2 weeks if kept covered and refrigerated.