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Warm Marinated Olives

Our flavorful and bold Warm Marinated Olives mix is full of herbs, bright citrus, zesty garlic and red pepper flakes, and tons of whole olives. This makes an amazing addition to any charcuterie board, appetizer spread, or holiday table you put it on.

Warm Marinated Olives

Warm Marinated Olives

Warm marinated olives are a staple in Mediterranean dining, offering a rich blend of olives with an assortment of herbs and spices. The gentle heat coaxes out the flavors, marrying them seamlessly. From robust Kalamatas to milder green varieties, there’s something for every olive-lover in the group.

Serving these olives warm is a deliberate step to heighten their flavor. If you’ve never tried warm olives you are seriously missing out.

As a simple appetizer or an easy snack to serve with a bottle of wine, warm marinated olives are a testament to the art of simple, thoughtful preparation. Their ability to both comfort and intrigue the palate makes them a versatile and welcome addition to many gatherings. Another welcome addition would be this quince chutney!

Why you’ll love this dish…

  • Takes olives to a whole ‘nother level.
  • Easy to prepare and can be ready in under 30 minutes!
  • Feels fancy without being complicated to prepare.

Try our Smoked Olives too!

Warm Marinated Olives

Marinated Olives shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Whole olives (with pits)
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Olive oil
  • Bay leaves
  • Garlic
  • Lemon zest
  • Orange rind
  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Salt
  • Peppercorns

Get olive oil from Gold Ridge Organic Farms!

Warm Marinated Olives

How to make Warm Marinated Olives

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1

Heat

Combine all the ingredients for the oil mixture and heat it on the stove in a pot over low/medium-low heat. Let it heat for 5-10 minutes.

2

Olives

Remove from heat and mix in the olives. Let them gently heat in the olive oil for a few minutes.

3

Vinegar

Mix in the vinegar and serve warm.

Get ALL THE OLIVES here!

Warm Marinated Olives

Warm Marinated Olives FAQ

Can this be made ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, if you let them soak for a few days in the fridge, it’ll improve the flavor. These only get better with age! They’ll keep in the fridge for at least a week. Just let them sit at room temp for 30-45 minutes before serving, or toss them back into a saucepan over low heat for a few minutes to speed up the process.

What’s the best way to store the leftovers?

Keep leftovers in a covered container in the fridge. The olive oil will solidify, but that’s okay. It’ll melt again at room temp and be delicious.

Are there any suggested substitutions or additions?

Absolutely! You can toss in more herbs. You can omit the red pepper flakes if you don’t like spice. You can use different citrus rinds or omit them completely. This recipe is very versatile and can be changed to suit your preferences or what you have in the fridge currently.

Try some Blackstone Sweet Chili Shrimp!

Warm Marinated Olives
Warm Marinated Olives

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Warm Marinated Olives
Yield: 6 servings

Warm Marinated Olives

Warm Marinated Olives

Our warm marinated olives recipe blends fresh herbs with a variety of olives with olive oil and vinegar marinade for a delicious snackable appetizer.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups olives (with pits)
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

Oil Mixture

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 3 slices orange rind
  • 3 sprigs thyme
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns

Instructions

  1. Combine all the ingredients EXCEPT THE OLIVES and vinegar in a small saucepot.
  2. Heat over low/medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, until the olive oil is very warm, borderline hot. You want the garlic to soften and for all the flavors to meld.
  3. Remove from the heat and carefully add the olives to the oil. Stir occasionally and let them warm in the oil.
  4. Add the vinegar and stir to combine. Let sit for 15-20 minutes before serving.
  5. You can keep it warm over very low heat or in a small slow cooker if you'd like.
  6. Store in a covered container in the fridge. Reheat before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 222Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 509mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 2gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

jennifer

Sunday 28th of January 2024

Warm olives are new to me, but definitely kicked up the experience!! I omitted red pepper flakes because I'm a heat wimp, but still had amazing flavor. Thanks, will be making for everyday AND entertaining

Christie

Sunday 28th of January 2024

Our family loves olives, but I had never tried them warm before. The flavors were fantastic and everyone agreed that we should make them again soon.

Ella

Saturday 27th of January 2024

This is a perfect side or it can be a snack too! The infusion of garlic, citrus, and spices adds that twist! Love it! Used some for my cheeseboard.

Patty

Saturday 27th of January 2024

These were a huge hit and so quick and easy! Served them as an appetizer with some fancy cheese and crackers and they were devoured!

Marianne

Friday 26th of January 2024

I'd never had warm olives before but wanted something unique for my charcuterie board. These were such a hit. Awesome flavor.

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