Simple Marinated Olives with Feta

Marinated Olives with Feta Recipe is a quick Mediterranean appetizer that delivers 10-minute prep, bright herb marinade, and easy entertaining flavor. This marinated olives recipe combines briny olives, feta cheese, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, and olive oil before resting so the ingredients absorb the citrusy herb marinade.

If you like this Greek appetizer, you may also love our Greek Hummus Recipe, Baked Feta Appetizer, or these Spinach and Feta Rolls.

Ingredients for Marinated Olives with Feta

The key to delicious marinated olives is choosing high-quality, fresh ingredients. Here's what makes each one essential:

• Mediterranean Olives (such as Castelvetrano, Kalamata, and Cerignola): All are flavorful options. Mix and match for variety.
• Feta Cheese: Choose block feta in brine for the creamiest texture and best flavor. Pre-crumbled feta is often too dry. We love feta in this Spicy Feta Dip with Red Pepper (Tirokafteri), too!
• Parsley, Oregano, and Thyme: Add depth and brightness to balance the rich olive oil and salty feta.
• Zest and Juice: Lemon brightens the dish and adds a touch of acidity.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

• Olives: Use green or black olives, or even stuffed olives for variety.
• Feta: Swap with goat cheese or mozzarella for a milder option.
• Herbs: Try basil or rosemary in place of oregano.

How To Make the Best Marinated Olives with Feta Cheese

STEP 1: Prepare the Garlic and Lemon Zest

Mince 1 clove and lightly smash 4 cloves for added depth. Cut the zest of half a lemon into thin strips. Cut the feta cheese into small cubes.

STEP 2: Mix Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

STEP 3: Add Olives and Feta

Add the olives and feta to the marinade, gently tossing to coat everything evenly.

Let the mixture marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor.

STEP 4: Serve

Serve at room temperature. Toss before serving and garnish with extra parsley or lemon zest.

Storage

Keep marinated olives in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Let the olives sit for 20-30 minutes before serving. This dish tastes even better if made a day ahead.

Recipe FAQs

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📖 Recipe

Marinated Olives with Feta Recipe

Jami Powell

Marinated Olives with Feta Recipe is a quick Mediterranean appetizer that delivers 10-minute prep, bright herb marinade, and easy entertaining flavor. This marinated olives recipe combines briny olives, feta cheese, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, and olive oil before resting so the ingredients absorb the citrusy herb marinade.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

1x2x3x

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean

Servings 8

Calories 208 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  Large Mixing Bowl
• ▢
  Sharp Knife
• ▢
  Zester
• ▢
  Airtight container for marinating

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 pound 1 pound mixed Mediterranean olives (such as Castelvetrano, Kalamata, and Cerignola)
• ▢ 4 ounces feta cheese
• ▢ ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
• ▢ 5-6 small cloves garlic mince 1 and lightly smash the remaining
• ▢ 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• ▢ ½ lemon zest cut into thin strips
• ▢ 1½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
• ▢ ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

 

• Mince 1 clove of garlic and lightly smash the remaining. Cut the zest of half a lemon into thin strips. Cut the feta cheese into small cubes.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dried thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
• Toss the olives and feta cheese in the marinade, ensuring they're evenly coated. Add the garlic, lemon zest, and parsley. Stir well.
• Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
• Bring the marinated olives to room temperature before serving. Toss again to redistribute the marinade.

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Notes

Cooking Notes:

The flavor improves as the olives sit in the marinade because the olive oil carries the lemon, garlic, and herbs into the olives and feta. Using both minced garlic and lightly smashed cloves creates layers of garlic flavor throughout the mixture. The feta gradually absorbs the marinade, becoming more seasoned as it rests.

Tips for Best Results:

• Let the olives marinate at least one hour so the flavors blend well.
• Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil since it becomes part of the final flavor.
• Stir the mixture before serving to redistribute the herbs and lemon zest.
• Allow the olives to sit at room temperature briefly before serving for fuller flavor.

How to Know It’s Ready:

The olives should look glossy and evenly coated in oil and herbs. The mixture should smell strongly of lemon, garlic, and oregano when stirred.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 3gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 1052mgPotassium: 74mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 524IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 1mg

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