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These Marinated Olives are an easy, flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for holiday gatherings and charcuterie boards. Just combine olives with olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs, then let them marinate in the fridge for a make-ahead snack that tastes even better after a couple of days.
If you’re planning a holiday spread, try these Cranberry Brie Bites, Whipped Feta Dip, or even do a Charcuterie Board. You can also check out our Holiday Appetizers for more inspiration.
5 Key Tips for Easy Marinated Olives
- Use a mix of olive varieties for the best flavor and texture. Manzanilla olives are mild and buttery, Kalamata olives are rich and briny, and Queen olives are large and meaty. Combining different types creates a more interesting bite.
- Fresh herbs make a big difference. Fresh rosemary and dill infuse more flavor than dried herbs, and they look beautiful in the jar. If you only have dried herbs, use about half the amount (1 teaspoon each).
- Don’t skip the marinating time. While you can serve these after just 2 hours, they taste best after marinating for at least 2 days. The flavors deepen and mellow the longer they sit.
- The olive oil will solidify in the fridge — that’s normal. Just let the jar sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving and the oil will return to liquid form.
- Save the flavored olive oil. After you’ve finished the olives, use the garlic and herb-infused oil for salad dressings, bread dipping, or drizzling over roasted vegetables.
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How To Make Marinated Olives
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
Step 1: Combine the ingredients.
Add the olives, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh rosemary, fresh dill, and lemon juice to a large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. A mason jar or any airtight container works perfectly.
- Pro Tip: Use a jar that’s large enough to give the ingredients room to move when you shake it — this helps distribute the herbs and garlic evenly.
Step 2: Shake to mix.
Secure the lid tightly and give the jar a good shake to coat all the olives with the marinade. You’ll see the herbs and garlic distribute throughout the oil.
- Quick Note: If your garlic or herbs are clumping together, use a spoon to gently stir everything before sealing the jar.
Step 3: Refrigerate and marinate.
Place the jar in the refrigerator and let the olives marinate for at least 2 days. This gives the flavors time to infuse into the olives and mellow together.
Marination Timeline:
- 2 hours minimum: Olives will have light flavor — good in a pinch.
- 2 days (recommended): Full flavor development — olives are perfectly infused.
- Up to 1 week: Even deeper, richer flavor — ideal if you’re planning ahead for a party.
Step 4: Bring to room temperature before serving.
Remove the jar from the fridge 15–20 minutes before serving. The olive oil will solidify when cold, so letting it come to room temperature makes it easier to serve and enhances the flavors.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy.
Transfer the olives to a serving bowl (save the flavored oil for later use) and serve alongside cheese, crackers, cured meats, or fresh bread.
- Pro Tip: Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary or a strip of lemon zest for a beautiful presentation.
Variations and Serving Ideas
- Italian-Style Marinated Olives: Use oregano and basil instead of dill, and add a splash of red wine vinegar.
- Spicy Marinated Olives: Add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 sliced fresh chili pepper.
- Citrus-Herb Marinated Olives: Use orange juice instead of lemon and add strips of orange zest with thyme.
- Mediterranean Marinated Olives: Add sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and a bay leaf.
Serving Ideas
- Add to charcuterie boards with cheese, salami, and crackers.
- Serve with crusty bread or focaccia and whipped feta for a Mediterranean appetizer spread.
- Chop and toss into pasta salads, grain bowls, or pizza toppings.
- Pair with cocktails like martinis, negronis, or white wine spritzers for entertaining.
Storage Tips
Storage, Freezing, Make Ahead
- Make-Ahead: These olives are perfect for making ahead — they keep in the fridge for up to 3 months when stored in the marinade. The flavor continues to develop over time.
- Storage: Store leftover olives in an airtight container or jar, fully submerged in the flavored olive oil, in the refrigerator.
- Room Temperature: The olives can sit out at room temperature for up to 2-3 hours while serving, but return them to the fridge for longer storage.
- Freezing: Not recommended — freezing changes the texture of the olives and can make them mushy.
Quick Note: The olive oil will solidify when refrigerated. This is completely normal and doesn’t affect the flavor. Let the jar sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes and the oil will liquefy again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best olives for marinating?
The best olives for marinating are Manzanilla, Kalamata, and Queen olives.
How long should you marinate olives?
Marinated olives should be ready in 2 days, but you can marinate them for up to a week if you prefer.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes, you can. I prefer fresh herbs, but dried can work too. Just use about half the amount (1 teaspoon each).
Why does the olive oil solidify in the fridge?
Olive oil solidifies in the fridge due to the composition of fatty acids and natural waxes in the oil. It is completely normal. To liquify the oil again, just place the jar at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
How long do marinated olives last?
They will last in the fridge for up to 3 months when stored in the marinade in the fridge.
Can I reuse the olive oil after the olives are gone?
Definitely! It makes a flavorful garlic and herb olive oil.
Can you marinate olives at room temperature?
You can marinate them for up to 2-3 hours at room temperature, then stick them in the fridge to continue marinating.
More Olive Recipes
Marinated Olives
Ingredients
- 1 cup Manzanilla olives
- 1 cup Pitted kalamata olives
- 1 cup Queen olives
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 ¼ cups Olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons Fresh dill
- 1 ½ tablespoons Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a glass jar, secure the lid, and give the jar a quick shake.
- Place the jar in the fridge for two days to allow the olives time to marinate.
- After two days, remove the olives from the jar, but save the olive oil in case you have any leftovers.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Olive varieties: Use a mix of Manzanilla, Kalamata, and Queen olives for best flavor, or choose your favorites (Castelvetrano, Cerignola, etc.).
- Fresh vs. dried herbs: Fresh herbs are recommended for best flavor. If using dried, use half the amount (1 teaspoon each).
- Marination time: Minimum 2 hours, but best after 2 days. Flavor continues to develop up to 1 week.
- Oil solidification: Olive oil will solidify in the fridge. Let jar sit at room temperature 15-20 minutes before serving.
- Storage: Store olives submerged in marinade in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months.
- Room temperature serving: Olives can sit out for 2-3 hours while entertaining, but refrigerate for longer storage.
- Save the oil: The flavored olive oil is delicious for salad dressings, bread dipping, or drizzling over vegetables.
- Variations: Add red pepper flakes for heat, swap lemon for orange, or try different herb combinations (oregano, thyme, basil).
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
