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Marinated Olives with a Red Wine Vinaigrette

Marinated Olives are packed with flavor and so easy to make! All you need is a few simple ingredients too!

 

Marinated Olives with red wine vinaigrette

 

Turn ordinary olives into a gourmet treat that’s perfect for snacking or entertaining!

Eat them on their own or add them to a charcuterie board!

This marinated olives recipe is seriously delicious!

Get ready to up your appetizer game with this quick and easy recipe!

Olives are a great source of healthy fats and antioxidants. Healthy and delicious!

You can serve these vinegar olives at a party or for a snack!

With simple ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe comes together quickly and easily.

These olives are perfect for a holiday party, dinner party, or cocktail party where you want to impress your guests!

What Are Marinated Olives?

Marinated olives are olives that have been soaked.

They’re usually soaked in a combo of olive oil, herbs, and spices.

The marinade gives the olives so much extra flavor.

Which makes them such a tasty snack or appetizer!

You’ll often find them on antipasto platters and charcuterie boards.

If you’re a fan of green olives, Kalamata olives, or a mix of both?

Marinated olives are a treat you won’t want to miss!

 

 

What Ingredients Are in Marinated Olives?

These are the best olives to serve this holiday season!

Here’s what you’ll need to grab from the grocery store:

  • Olives: A mix of a few kind of olives is best.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
  • Garlic: Thinly sliced garlic adds a rich, savory flavor.
  • Bay Leaf: Yummy. Earthy.
  • Fresh Rosemary: Chopped rosemary.
  • Lemon Zest: Delicious fresh citrus flavor!
  • Red Pepper Flakes: For a little kick of heat.
  • Red Wine Vinegar: Rounds out everything else.

Pro Tips: 

  • Try other spices like fresh thyme, fennel seeds, or orange zest to create your own unique flavor profile!
  • You can use unpitted olives or pitted.

How to Make Marinated Olives?

Your olive bar will be one of your new favorite ways to serve olives! 

The full recipe is below but here’s what you need to know:

  1. Heat oil on medium heat and cook the garlic.
  2. Add bay leaf, rosemary, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Remove from heat and whisk in the red wine vinegar.
  4. Pour the marinade over the olives and mix well.

Pro Tips: 

  • For the best flavor, let the olives marinate overnight in the refrigerator. 
  • You can serve them warm or at room temperature. Whatever you like best.

 

Marinated Olives with Red Wine Vinaigrette

 

How Long Do Olives Need to Marinate?

This olive recipe needs to marinate for at least a few hours.

Honestly, they taste even better if left to marinate overnight.

The longer they marinate, the more flavorful they become.

If you’re in a rush, you can serve them after a couple of hours.

But for the best results, plan ahead and let them sit in the marinade for a full 24 hours.

How to Serve Marinated Olives?

Delicious marinated olives can be served lots of ways.

They’re a great addition to cheese boards o or just your dinner table!

Serve with meats, cheeses, and other nibbles.

Or as a simple appetizer with crusty bread or crackers.

Marinated olives are also a great topping for salads, pizzas, or pasta dishes!

Really, there’s lots of ways you could serve them!

Are Marinated Olives Healthy?

Yes, a marinated jar of olives is a healthy snack option!

Olives are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats. Those are super good for heart health!

They’re also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. So your overall health.

The fresh herbs and garlic used in the marinade are also anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting.

Eat up! They’re delicious and good for you too!

 

Marinated olives served a party

 

What to Serve with Marinated Olives?

Marinated olives go well with so many things!

Serve on a charcuterie board or antipasto platter with cured meats, cheeses, and crackers.

Serve them with crusty bread, pita chips, or flatbread for a simple appetizer.

Or serve with roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or pasta dishes for a big meal.

Here are some recipe ideas to get you started:

  • Italian Panini Recipe
  • Grilled Pork Tenderloins
  • Farro Salad Recipe
  • Grilled Salmon with Spiced Mayo
  • Nashville Hot Chicken Flatbreads
  • Gourmet Grilled Cheese
  • Pita Panzanella Salad with Steak
  • Grilled Lemon Cream Pasta
  • Lemon Pesto Grilled Shrimp
  • Cuban Sandwich

Are Marinated Olives Vegan?

Yes red wine vinegar olives are vegan.

They’re made with plant-based ingredients like olives, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs.

Totally safe for a vegan diet!

Enjoy marinated olives as part of a vegan or vegetarian meal!

How to Store Marinated Olives?

To store olives in vinegar, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them.

They will keep for at least two weeks in the refrigerator.

That is if you can keep from eating them for that long!

They’re REALLY good!

They may last even longer than two weeks honestly!

But I’ve never had to figure that out. We eat them too fast!

Just make sure the olives are fully submerged in the marinade to keep them fresh.

You could leave them out for a minute at room temperature before serving if you want them warm.

Can You Freeze Marinated Olives?

Yes, you can freeze homemade marinated olives but I don’t really recommend it.

Freezing can change the texture of the olives.

Usually it’ll make them pretty soft when they thaw.

It’s not my favorite but if you don’t mind the texture change then go for it.

You would just need to place the olives in a freezer-safe container.

But make sure they are still fully submerged in the marinade.

Freeze for up to three months.

Then thaw the olives in the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature before serving.

Marinated olives are a delicious treat and great for serving at parties! They’re super easy to make and I know you’ll love them! Enjoy!

 

Marinated Olives with a Red Wine Vinaigrette

Marinated Olives with a Red Wine Vinaigrette

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups olives (I used a mixture of Kalamata and green olives)
  • 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, sliced thin
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • zest from one lemon
  • dash of red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Instructions

Remove olives from jar; rinse.

Heat olive oil in saucepan, add garlic, and cook until garlic starts to turn golden.

Add bay leaf, rosemary, lemon zest and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute or so.

Remove from heat; whisk in red wine vinegar.

Pour over olives.

Enjoy warm or cool.

For best flavor, allow to sit overnight.

They should last at least a couple weeks in the refrigerator and possibly more.

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 162Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 248mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Originally Posted: January 2015

Photos and Text Updated: October 24, 2020

Photos and Text Updated: October 30, 2024

Marinated Olives with red wine vinaigrette 

Marinated Olives with red wine vinaigrette 

Marinated Olives with red wine vinaigrette 

Marinated Olives with red wine vinaigrette 

Marinated Olives with red wine vinaigrette
Marinated Olives with red wine vinaigrette

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Anya

Wednesday 14th of February 2024

This is just what I was looking for! Since the beginning of COVID my partner and I just got used to not going out as much. And with the current price hikes, our dinner and drink tabs don’t go unnoticed. So for valentines dinner tonight I’m recreating all of our favorite dishes from our go-to date restaurant, starting with a bowl of warm olives! This is definitely going in my recipe file. Thank you!

Janelle

Friday 23rd of February 2024

I love what you did for Valentines Day and am so glad we could be a part of it! So much cheaper than going out!

chef mimi

Thursday 4th of February 2021

Goodness, I’ve forgotten about these! When I catered I did this often, using many of the same ingredients like zest and cayenne pepper flakes. So yummy. It doesn’t help that my husband doesn’t eat olives, so I only put them out for company. And that hasn’t been happening!

Athena Fritcher

Sunday 17th of April 2016

I need to try this recipe.

Audrey@That Recipe

Thursday 14th of April 2016

I am appalled at the prices they charge at the olive bar and usually walk right by. Now I can make them at home. Thanks for sharing on Creative K Kids Tasty Tuesdays.

Morgan @ Managing Mommyhood

Wednesday 13th of April 2016

I am so olive obsessed, this is such a great recipe! I can't wait to try it out (and save some $$)!

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