Marinated Olives dish

Jars of green and black marinated olives.

Looking for a way to elevate your appetizers or add a burst of flavor to your table? This Marinated Olives Recipe is effortless to prepare and loaded with bold, aromatic notes that will keep everyone coming back for more.

What are Marinated Olives?

Marinated olives are a classic Mediterranean-inspired dish — it consists of a blend of olives that are infused with rich olive oil, citrus, herbs, and spices. They’re a simple yet luxurious way to add a punch of briny, citrusy, and herbal flavors to any gathering. Reliable as an appetizer, garnish, or snack, they’re a versatile dish that stands out without much effort.

This dish takes basic store-bought olives to a whole new level. By combining a mix of vibrant ingredients — think zesty lemon, warm spices like coriander, and earthy bay leaves—you’ll transform them into a gourmet experience. These olives are equally at home on a charcuterie board or alongside freshly baked bread.

A bowl of olives, seasonings, lemons, and olive oil.

Ingredients You Need

Assorted Olives – Using a combination of Kalamata, green, and black olives creates a mix of flavors and textures. Rinse darker olives to prevent the brine from discoloring the lighter ones.
Good Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This adds a velvety finish and enhances the infusion of herbs and spices. Choose one with a mild, fruity flavor for the finest results.
Lemons – Fresh lemon slices provide a burst of tangy citrus flavor that pairs perfectly with the salty olives.
Garlic – Thinly slicing the garlic helps it blend beautifully into the marinade while adding a warm, savory aroma.
Coriander Seeds – Lightly cracked coriander seeds bring a subtle nuttiness that balances the acidity of the lemons.
Fennel Seeds – These seeds add a touch of licorice-like sweetness, giving the dish even more depth.
Fresh Thyme – Minced thyme offers an earthy, herbal aroma that infuses beautifully into the marinade.
Bay Leaves – Broken into pieces, these release their full, earthy flavor as they steep.
Dried Red Chili – A single chili provides a hint of heat, adding complexity to the flavor profile.

How to Make this Marinated Olives Recipe

Prepare the olives. Rinse and drain your olives, especially the darker varieties, to prevent their brine from overwhelming the flavor or staining the others.
Create the marinade. In a small saucepan, gently heat olive oil with sliced garlic, cracked coriander and fennel seeds, thyme, bay leaves, and a dried chili. Allow the mixture to become aromatic without letting it sizzle too much.
Add the lemons. Toss the lemon slices into the saucepan and stir. Their juices will mingle with the oil as it warms.
Combine everything. Transfer the olives to a large bowl and pour the warm marinade over them. Stir gently to ensure the olives are evenly coated.
Rest the flavors. Allow the mixture to sit for at least a few hours to let the flavors meld. The longer they marinate, the more intense and well-rounded the flavors will be.
Serve and enjoy. Spoon the olives into a serving dish and drizzle a little extra olive oil on top for shine and flavor. Refrigerate leftovers.

Variations

Fresh Herbs – Try rosemary or oregano for a different herbal infusion.
Spice – Use crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of smoked paprika instead of the dried chili for a unique kick.
Citrus Zest – Add orange or lime zest for an extra layer of bright flavor.
Nuts – Toss in roasted almonds, pine nuts, or pistachios to create a crunchy contrast.
Cheese – Add small cubes of marinated feta for a silky texture and tangy flavor.
Infused Oil – Substitute plain olive oil with a garlic- or rosemary-infused oil for an added layer of aroma.
Different Olives – Include specialty varieties like Castelvetrano for a buttery flavor or Niçoise for a subtle earthiness.

Can I Store Leftovers?

Marinated olives get even better after sitting for a day or two, but the texture of some herbs can soften over time.

Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

For longer storage, freeze the olives in an oil-filled container, leaving room for expansion. Defrost in the fridge when you’re ready to serve.

Common Questions about this Marinated Olives Recipe

How long do marinated olives last?

They’ll happily hang out in the fridge for about a couple of weeks, so you can enjoy them throughout the week.

Can I make them spicier?

Add a pinch (or more!) of red pepper flakes to the marinade for a fiery kick!

What can I serve with marinated olives?

They’re reliable for snacking on their own, but they also make a fantastic appetizer with crusty bread or crackers or a fantastic topper for whipped dips or any Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Do I need to use fresh herbs?

While fresh herbs will infuse the most flavor, dried herbs work just fine in a pinch.

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the Ayyem kitchenServings: 6 servings

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Marinating Time: 3 hrs
Total: 3 hrs 15 mins

Learn how to make a from-scratch marinated olives recipe for briny, tangy, mildly spicy olives to add bold flavor to all your go-to recipes! Email

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds assorted olives Kalamata, black, green, Spanish, etc., drained *Tip: Rinse the darker olives to prevent discoloring the lighter ones.*
3/4 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
2 teaspoons coriander seeds lightly cracked
1 teaspoon fennel seeds lightly cracked
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme minced
3 bay leaves broken into pieces
1 dried red chili
2 lemons sliced

Instructions

Prepare the olives. Rinse and drain your olives, especially the darker varieties, to prevent their brine from overwhelming the flavor or staining the others.1 1/2 pounds assorted olives
Create the marinade. In a small saucepan, gently heat olive oil with sliced garlic, cracked coriander and fennel seeds, thyme, bay leaves, and a dried chili. Allow the mixture to become aromatic without letting it sizzle too much.3/4 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil, 4 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme, 3 bay leaves, 1 dried red chili, 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
Add the lemons. Toss the lemon slices into the saucepan and stir. Their juices will mingle with the oil as it warms.2 lemons
Combine everything. Transfer the olives to a large bowl and pour the warm marinade over them. Stir gently to ensure the olives are evenly coated.
Rest the flavors. Allow the mixture to sit for at least a few hours to let the flavors meld. The longer they marinate, the more intense and well-rounded the flavors will be.
Serve and enjoy. Spoon the olives into a serving dish and drizzle a little extra olive oil on top for shine and flavor. Refrigerate leftovers.