Spanish Olives are a really easy side dish that are a must at any tapas dinner party or just to keep in your fridge as a delicious Mediterranean flavoured snack. Juicy green olives marinated in garlic, lemon, coriander seeds, thyme and red chili pepper flakes for a little bit of a kick.
Olives are one of those love them or hate them kind of things, we be sit very firmly in the LOVE THEM camp. A delicious salty snack that takes on other flavours so well, that you can marinate them in different ingredients every time.
This simple Spanish Olives recipe has all our favourite Spanish flavours, and you won't be able to keep your hands off them.
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Why should you try it?
- A new way to enjoy olives
- An easy snack
- A must at any tapas dinner party
- Great for feeding a crowd
Step by step:
One: Put the olives in a large bowl.
Two: Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Put in the fridge for several hours to marinate.
When we have guests round for dinner, we like to put a bowl of these out, with some slices or crusty bread and olive and vinegar to dip it in and then everyone can pick at it with a glass of wine before the main event. What better way to bring people together than with snacks.
What olives to use
We used big meaty green olives, as we think the bigger the better when they are the star of the dish. To keep with the Spanish theme, try to use Spanish olives such as Gordal Olives. You could also use Manzanilla olives, which are also from Spain.
Marinade
When people say they don't like olives, I always think that they can't be making them the right way. Maybe they have been having plain olives, and don't know just how amazing they can be.
With just a few key ingredients, you can totally transform plain olives. You can make them fit any themed dinner you like, from using Mexican herbs and spices, to Thai flavours.
This recipe really couldn't be easier, and takes less than 5 minutes to put together. You should try and make them a few hours ahead of time though - 24 hours would be even better. The longer they have to marinade, the better they will taste.
What to serve these with
These Spanish Olives are a must at a tapas themed meal, so we always serve them with our Spanish Rice, Tortilla or Patatas Bravas. They also go well with a simple grilled chicken or salmon dish.
We have to admit, we like to keep a big bowl of these in the fridge to snack on any time we do in to the kitchen, or we serve them on the side of sandwiches or on a salad.
How to store
If you put these in an air tight jar, they will be good for a couple of weeks. So why not make a big batch and keep them to add to meals, or something easy to put out when you have unexpected guests.
Extra tips
- You don't have to stick to Spanish flavours. Why not use Mexican or Italian herbs and spices instead.
- These olives will keep in an air tight jar in the fridge for around 2 weeks.
- Serve at any tapas dinner party or with a simple grilled chicken or salmon dish.
- Bulk this dish out a little and transform them by adding some skinned almonds.
- You can use any olives you like, but we like using big meaty green olives.
- Try to use the best quality olive oil you can buy, as you really will be able to taste the difference.
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Recipe card


Spanish Olives




Ingredients
- 300 g pitted green olives
- 80 ml olive oil
- 1.5 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 lemon (juice and zest only)
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds crushed
- 0.25 tbsp red chili flakes
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 2 garlic clove crushed
Instructions
- Put the olives in a large bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
- Put in the fridge for several hours to marinate.
Notes
- You don't have to stick to Spanish flavours. Why not use Mexican or Italian herbs and spices instead.
- These olives will keep in an air tight jar in the fridge for around 2 weeks.
- Serve at any tapas dinner party or with a simple grilled chicken or salmon dish.
- Bulk this dish out a little and transform them by adding some skinned almonds.
- You can use any olives you like, but we like using big meaty green olives.
- Try to use the best quality olive oil you can buy, as you really will be able to taste the difference.
Kelly Anthony
I love to snack on olives but I have never made my own. I'm excited to try a new version of my favorite snack.
georgie
what a great appetiser for the Christmas table! I don't usually like olives, but I think I'd definitely eat these, they look beautiful!
Beth
This is a game changer in my appetizer game! I am loving how you can make your own flavored olives, I never thought of that! Thanks for sharing!
Alison
I'm a member of the olive fan club! I could eat them all day! Olive haters always pass me their olives. These Spanish olives are spectacular. Perfect as an appetizer for a party. The spices are wonderful!
estelle | soulandstreusel.com
I love Spain(I spent two summers woofing there on a finca in the south) and the tapas were great! always lots of olives served in little red ceramic pots. these look really great and I can't wait to try them and see how they compare!
Nicole
These spanish olives are sure to be a show stopper during the holidays!
Danielle
I love getting olives as an appetizer at restaurants, but never thought about making them at home! Looks so tasty!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
I love your recipe, I'll be making it again!
Sara Welch
I always love to serve olives during holiday gatherings; I will have to give your recipe a try! Looks delicious!
sarah johnson
I didn't like olive at first. I had to train my taste buds to enjoy them. I remember when first married my husband he made a salad with extra virgin olive oil, I spat out that salad, so fast and told him it had too many olives in it. When, in fact, it was only the oil. Now I'm a true olive lover and have up to 3 varieties of the fruit in my fridge at any given time.
Tisha
This is a great way to spice up those olives as an appetizer! So much flavor!