Marinated Olives with Feta Recipe
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.
Servings: 8
Calories: 208kcal
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Sharp Knife
- Zester
- Airtight container for marinating
Ingredients
- 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.
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.
Nutrition
Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 1052mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 524IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 1mg
