Zesty Mediterranean Olive Magic: Ina Garten’s Marinated Olives Recipe

Olives burst with Mediterranean charm, and this marinated olives recipe by Ina Garten offers a delightful twist on a classic appetizer.

Rich olive oils mingle with fragrant herbs, creating a mouthwatering blend that sings with flavor.

Briny and bold, these marinated gems will steal the spotlight at any gathering.

Each olive absorbs a symphony of spices, promising a taste that dances on your palate.

The recipe comes together effortlessly, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time.

Aromatic rosemary and zesty garlic infuse these olives with an irresistible depth that keeps guests coming back for more.

Serve these olives as a quick and impressive starter that will elevate your next meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Ina Garten’s Method for Flavorful Olive Marination

• Olive Gathering

Start by collecting green and black olives from their original packaging, carefully draining away any existing liquid.

• Flavor Fusion

Introduce a vibrant mix of zesty orange zest, crushed garlic, delicate fennel seeds, fragrant thyme leaves, and a sprinkle of spicy red pepper flakes. Season with a balanced touch of salt and black pepper.

• Herbal Embrace

Gently fold in fresh thyme sprigs and drizzle with smooth olive oil, allowing the ingredients to mingle and create a harmonious blend.

• Gentle Warming

Pour the olive mixture into a medium saute pan, allowing the ingredients to slowly warm and release their aromatic essence over medium-low heat until a gentle sizzle emerges.

• Low and Slow

Reduce the heat, letting the olives and seasonings simmer softly. Stir occasionally, allowing the flavors to develop and the ingredients to become wonderfully fragrant and perfectly heated.

• Serving Suggestion

Transfer the warm, flavor-packed olives to a beautiful serving dish. Set out a small side plate for olive pits, inviting guests to enjoy this delightful Mediterranean-inspired appetizer.

How to Vary the Herbs and Citrus in Olives

• Choose high-quality extra virgin olive oil for richer flavor complexity and enhanced aromatic profiles that complement the olives' natural taste.
• Dial up or down red pepper flakes based on personal heat preference, allowing each home cook to create a personalized spice level.
• Prepare olives up to 3 days in advance and store in a sealed container, letting flavors intensify and meld together for even more delicious results.
• Swap fresh thyme with rosemary or oregano if unavailable, maintaining the recipe's herbaceous essence while introducing subtle flavor variations.
• Present olives warm as an appetizer, or chill and serve as a cool Mediterranean-inspired side dish for versatile entertaining options.

Serving Tips for Marinated Olives as an Appetizer

• Serve as Appetizer Centerpiece: Arrange the marinated olives in a rustic ceramic bowl at the center of your charcuterie board, creating an inviting Mediterranean-style spread.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Offer warm, sliced artisan bread or crispy crostini alongside the olives for guests to soak up the flavorful herbal oil.
• Create Cocktail Companion: Use these zesty olives as a perfect garnish for martinis or place them on toothpicks for elegant pre-dinner nibbles during cocktail hour.
• Present as Warm Mezze: Serve the olives hot directly from the sauté pan, accompanied by a small dish for olive pits, perfect for casual gatherings or dinner parties.

How to Store Marinated Olives Properly

• Quick Marinate and Chill: Prepare the olives up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to enhance flavor development and convenience.
• Serve at Room Temperature: Remove olives from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to bloom and develop a more robust taste profile.
• Smart Portion Control: Store leftover olives in small, sealed glass containers to maintain freshness and make it easy to grab a quick snack or appetizer.
• Extend Flavor Lifespan: Keep marinated olives refrigerated for up to 5-7 days, ensuring they remain tasty and retain their aromatic herb-infused quality throughout the week.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 240 kcal

Servings: 8

What You’ll Need to Make Marinated Olives the Ina Way

• Green Olives, Black Olives: Provide rich, briny foundation with varied textures and deep Mediterranean flavor profiles; choose firm, plump olives without blemishes for best results.

• Orange Zest: Adds bright, citrusy notes that cut through olive richness; select fresh, vibrant oranges with smooth, unblemished skin.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, pungent undertones that complement olive's saltiness; pick firm, compact cloves without green sprouts.
• Fennel Seeds: Contribute subtle licorice-like warmth and complexity; seek whole seeds with strong, fresh aroma.
• Thyme Leaves, Thyme Sprigs: Introduce earthy, herbaceous dimension; choose fresh, verdant sprigs with vivid green color.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Inject gentle, warming heat that sparks flavor excitement; select bright red, consistently sized flakes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Balance and elevate overall taste profile; opt for freshly ground black pepper and fine sea salt for maximum impact.
• Olive Oil: Creates luxurious, silky texture and carries flavor throughout dish; choose high-quality, extra virgin variety with fruity undertones.

Tools That Make Marinated Olives Easy

• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing and combining olives with seasonings.
• Saute pan (10-inch): Essential for heating and infusing flavors with olive oil.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add salt and black pepper.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and tossing ingredients.
• Serving dish: Optional for transferring warm olives from pan.
• Small dish: Handy for collecting olive pits while enjoying.
• Grater or zester: Useful for creating orange zest.

Rustic Ina Garten Marinated Olives Recipe

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• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s marinated olives blend Mediterranean flavors with herbal complexity. Fragrant rosemary, thyme, and citrus zest elevate simple olives into a sophisticated appetizer perfect for elegant gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (11 oz / 312 g) large green olives with pits, such as Cerignola
• 2 cups (11 oz / 312 g) large black olives with pits, such as Kalamata
• ⅔ cup good olive oil
• 4 large garlic cloves, smashed
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 tsps whole fennel seeds
• 2 tsps chopped fresh thyme leaves
• Zest of 1 orange, peeled in large strips
• ¾ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Drain green and black olives completely, discarding excess liquid in a mixing bowl.
2. Seasoning: Blend orange zest, minced garlic, crushed fennel seeds, chopped thyme leaves, and red pepper flakes into the olives, ensuring thorough and even distribution.
3. Flavoring: Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then add whole thyme sprigs and extra virgin olive oil, gently folding to coat all ingredients uniformly.
4. Heating: Select a 10-inch sauté pan, lightly coat with olive oil, and spread the seasoned olive mixture in a single layer over medium-low heat.
5. Warming: Stir olives gently every minute to prevent garlic from burning, allowing ingredients to release aromatic oils for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and thoroughly heated.
6. Serving: Transfer warm olives immediately to a decorative serving dish, accompanied by a small side plate for olive pits, ready to be enjoyed as a delectable appetizer.

Notes

• Drain Olives Carefully: Remove excess liquid to prevent diluting the marinade’s intense flavors and ensure a concentrated taste experience.
• Season Strategically: Use freshly ground spices like fennel seeds and red pepper flakes to enhance the olives’ natural richness and create a complex flavor profile.
• Heat Gently: Warm olives on medium-low heat to release aromatic oils without burning garlic, which can turn bitter and ruin the delicate flavor balance.
• Serve Immediately: Present olives while they’re warm to maximize the sensory experience of released herbs and spices, creating a restaurant-quality appetizer.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg