Zesty Lemon Olives Recipe

Impress your guests with these vibrant Zesty Lemon Olives! Ready in minutes (plus a 24-hour marinating time), this no-cook recipe from Fine Cooking is perfect for parties or a quick appetizer. The bright lemon zest and herbaceous flavors will keep well in the refrigerator for several weeks, making these olives a fantastic make-ahead snack.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 1450 mins
Calories 726.9 kcal
Protein 9g
Rating Be the first
Zesty Lemon Olives 73

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Zesty Lemon Olives

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How to Make Zesty Lemon Olives

  1. If using brine-packed olives, drain them thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups pitted olives (such as Castelvetrano or Kalamata), 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 2 cloves garlic, minced, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
  3. Zest 2 lemons: Use a microplane to finely grate about 1 tablespoon of zest for maximum flavor, and then use a vegetable peeler to create larger lemon zest ribbons for visual appeal. Add both types of zest to the bowl.
  4. Add 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil to the olives and mix gently but thoroughly to combine.
  5. Pour the olive mixture into a clean, airtight jar. Seal tightly and refrigerate for at least 24 hours (or up to several weeks) to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled.
  6. Garnish with additional lemon zest or fresh herbs before serving, if desired.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

100 g

Sugar

12g

Fat

47g

Carbs

11g

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Zesty Lemon Olives?

Zesty Lemon Olives takes about 1465 minutes from start to finish — roughly 15 minutes to prepare and 1450 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Zesty Lemon Olives?

Zesty Lemon Olives has approximately 726.9 calories per serving, with about 9 g protein, 11 g carbohydrates and 107 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Zesty Lemon Olives?

The key ingredients for Zesty Lemon Olives are Olives, Kosher Salt, Black Peppercorns, Bay Leaves, Rosemary, Fennel Seed. See the full list with measurements above.

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