Bold Ina Garten Marinated Olives Recipe: A Zesty Appetizer

Marinated olives transform ordinary appetizers into extraordinary culinary experiences that spark conversation and delight taste buds.

These vibrant Mediterranean-inspired morsels pack incredible depth and complexity into each bite-sized treasure.

Rich olive oil bathes tender, plump olives with aromatic herbs and zesty seasonings.

Complex flavor layers emerge from carefully selected ingredients that dance across your palate.

Mediterranean traditions inspire this simple yet sophisticated preparation that elevates casual gatherings and elegant dinner parties alike.

Guests will be captivated by the robust, multilayered sensory experience waiting in each delectable olive: prepare to wow your audience.

How to Marinate Olives Perfectly

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

Collect green and black olives, orange, garlic, fennel seeds, fresh thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and thyme sprigs.

Step 2: Prepare Olives

• Remove olives from original packaging
• Transfer olives into a medium mixing bowl

Step 3: Create Flavor Blend

• Orange zest
• Minced garlic
• Fennel seeds
• Thyme leaves
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Incorporate Herbs

Gently add whole thyme sprigs and drizzle olive oil over the mixture, tossing everything together to combine flavors evenly.

Step 5: Heat Olives

• Select a medium saute pan
• Pour olive oil into pan
• Transfer olive mixture to pan
• Set heat to medium-low
• Allow oil to start sizzling

Step 6: Sauté Carefully

• Reduce heat to low
• Stir occasionally
• Cook for 4-5 minutes
• Ensure garlic and olives become fragrant and warm

Step 7: Serve Deliciously

• Transfer to serving dish
• Provide small dish for olive pits
• Serve warm
• Enjoy immediately

Tips for Flavor-Boosted Olives

• Select Premium Olives: Choose large, meaty olives with pits from specialty stores or Mediterranean markets for superior taste and authentic texture.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Gently warm the marinade ingredients to help release essential oils and intensify the herb and spice profiles before mixing with olives.
• Perfect Marinating Time: Refrigerate olives for a minimum of 4 hours, but allowing them to sit overnight will develop richer, more complex flavors.
• Temperature Matters: Serve the olives at room temperature to ensure maximum flavor release and a more enjoyable eating experience.
• Make Ahead Magic: Prepare the marinated olives up to 5 days in advance, storing them in an airtight container to develop a more robust taste profile.

Storage Tips to Keep Them Snappy

• Vacuum-Sealed Bags: Extract air completely using a vacuum sealer to preserve olives' robust flavors and prevent freezer burn. Pack olives tightly in small portions for easy thawing and minimal quality loss.
• Mason Jar Method: Layer olives with herbs and olive oil in clean, sterilized glass jars. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator's coolest section, ensuring minimal temperature fluctuations to maintain freshness for up to three weeks.
• Ice Cube Tray Technique: Portion olives into individual ice cube compartments, cover with olive oil, and freeze. Once solid, transfer frozen olive cubes to a freezer bag for compact storage and convenient future use in cooking or garnishing.

Olive Flavor Twists

• Citrus Herb Olive Medley: Elevate the original recipe by swapping orange zest with a combination of lemon and lime zest, adding fresh rosemary alongside thyme for a brighter, more complex flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Spice Blend: Introduce ground cumin, smoked paprika, and a touch of za'atar to create a deeper, more intense Middle Eastern-inspired olive preparation that brings warmth and depth to the dish.
• Chili Garlic Olive Infusion: Amp up the heat by adding minced fresh jalapeños, increasing red pepper flakes, and incorporating a splash of aged balsamic vinegar for a spicy, tangy olive experience that tingles the taste buds.
• Provençal Olive Remix: Transform the recipe with dried lavender, fresh basil leaves, and a hint of herbes de Provence, creating a French-inspired olive mixture that captures the essence of southern France's culinary traditions.

The End of the Olive Trail

Ina Garten’s marinated olives elevate simple ingredients into a Mediterranean masterpiece.

Mediterranean flavors dance across palates with zesty orange, aromatic thyme, and warm fennel seeds.

Garlic whispers complexity while red pepper flakes provide subtle heat.

Salt and pepper balance intense olive notes, creating a sophisticated appetizer.

Warm sautéing releases deep, rich flavors that tantalize taste buds.

Savor these olives alongside crusty bread, share with friends, double-tap the recipe, and spread culinary joy – you’ll spark conversation and delight fellow food enthusiasts.

Why Marinated Olives Are Party-Ready

• Burst with Vibrant Flavors: These marinated olives pack a punch of zesty orange, spicy red pepper flakes, and aromatic garlic that dance together in perfect harmony.
• Quick and Easy Gourmet Appetizer: Prepare this impressive dish in just 10 minutes, transforming simple olives into a restaurant-worthy starter that will wow your guests.
• Sensational Texture Explosion: The gentle heating process brings out the olives' rich, meaty texture while infusing them with warm, fragrant herbs and spices that create a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Versatile Party Pleaser: Perfect for cocktail parties, wine nights, or as a sophisticated nibble that pairs beautifully with cheese boards, charcuterie, and crisp white wines.

What Goes Into Ina’s Olive Mix

• Green Olives, Black Olives: Classic Mediterranean mix with rich, briny flavor, choose firm and plump varieties without bruises or soft spots.
• Garlic: Provides deep, pungent base notes that complement the olives' saltiness, fresh cloves are best for most intense flavor.

• Thyme Leaves, Thyme Sprigs: Earthy, slightly minty herb that adds sophisticated herbal undertone to the olives, fresh herbs preferred over dried.
• Fennel Seeds: Offers subtle sweet and licorice-like flavor that enhances Mediterranean profile, whole seeds provide more robust taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and bright color, adjust amount based on personal spice preference.

• Orange Zest: Brings bright, citrusy freshness that cuts through olive's richness, use organic oranges for best flavor.
• Olive Oil: Serves as cooking medium and flavor carrier, extra virgin olive oil recommended for superior taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates overall dish, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum aroma.

Ina Garten Marinated Olives Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s marinated olives blend Mediterranean flavors with elegant simplicity. Rich herbal notes and zesty citrus infuse classic olives, creating a sophisticated appetizer perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying a quick, flavorful snack.

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Ingredients

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Olives:

• 2 cups (11 ounces) large green olives with pits, such as Cerignola
• 2 cups (11 ounces) large black olives with pits, such as Kalamata

Herbs and Spices:

• 2 teaspoons whole fennel seeds
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• ¾ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• 4 large garlic cloves, smashed
• Zest of 1 orange, peeled in large strips
• ⅔ cup good olive oil

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Instructions

1. Carefully drain the green and black olives from their brine or oil into a medium-sized mixing bowl, ensuring no excess liquid remains.
2. Incorporate finely grated orange zest, minced garlic, crushed fennel seeds, freshly chopped thyme leaves, and a pinch of red pepper flakes into the olives.
3. Sprinkle of kosher salt and of freshly ground black pepper over the olive mixture.
4. Gently add whole thyme sprigs and extra virgin olive oil to the bowl, carefully folding all ingredients to ensure even coating.
5. Select a 10-inch (25.4 centimeters) sauté pan and pour in a thin layer of olive oil, spreading it evenly across the surface.
6. Transfer the seasoned olive mixture into the pan, spreading it in a single layer to maximize heat distribution.
7. Place the pan over medium-low heat, allowing the ingredients to warm slowly and release their aromatic oils.
8. Gently stir the olives every minute, preventing garlic from burning and ensuring even heating for 4 to 5 minutes.
9. Remove the pan from heat when the olives become fragrant and are thoroughly warmed through.
10. Serve immediately in the pan or transfer to a decorative serving dish, placing a small side dish nearby for olive pits.

Notes

• Select premium, plump olives with pits to ensure a rich, authentic Mediterranean taste experience.
• Experiment with heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes, creating a personalized spice profile that matches your palate.
• Give the olives time to absorb the vibrant marinade, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over several hours or a full night.
• Elevate the presentation by choosing a beautiful serving dish that showcases the glossy, herb-infused olives with a sophisticated flair.
• Store leftover marinated olives in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll continue to develop depth and complexity for up to a week.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg