Description
Marinated Olives with Orange & Garlic is a vibrant and flavorful appetizer that combines the briny richness of mixed olives with the bright zest and juice of fresh orange, aromatic garlic, and fragrant herbs. Perfect for parties, cocktail snacks, or topping salads and charcuterie boards, this quick and easy recipe offers a tangy, refreshing twist that’s healthy, versatile, and utterly addictive.
Ingredients
Scale
Olives
- Mixed green and black olives, rinsed and drained (about 2 cups)
Citrus and Aromatics
- 1 orange (zested and juiced, remove seeds)
- 3–4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Marinade Base
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Sea salt, to taste
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Rinse the olives thoroughly to remove any excess brine and drain well. Thinly slice the fresh garlic cloves. Zest one orange to capture the bright oils, then squeeze the juice, making sure to remove any seeds.
- Mix the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the orange zest, orange juice, sliced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Whisk gently until the ingredients are well incorporated and aromatic.
- Toss Olives in the Marinade: Add the rinsed olives to the marinade and toss until they are thoroughly coated. Make sure the marinade clings to every crevice for maximum flavor infusion.
- Marinate and Rest: Transfer the olives and marinade into an airtight container or jar. Refrigerate and let them marinate for at least 12 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop and meld.
- Serve and Enjoy: Before serving, bring the marinated olives to room temperature to enhance their flavor and texture. Arrange them in a serving dish and garnish as desired.
Notes
- Use high-quality olives for the best flavor and texture.
- Always use fresh orange zest, not dried, to retain true citrus aroma.
- Olives can be salty; adjust added salt carefully.
- Marinate for at least 12 hours for deeper flavor; longer is better.
- Serve at room temperature to prevent olive oil from solidifying and to fully unlock flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Marinating
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: marinated olives, appetizer, orange zest, garlic, cocktail snack, Mediterranean, easy appetizer, healthy snack, gluten free
