Available in an array of sizes and colors, olives bring a savory, salty quality to so many recipes. From basic appetizers that wow to family-friendly dinners, such as the Braised Chicken with Potatoes, Olives, and Lemon, pictured here, we’re sharing over two dozen different ways to use olives. And if you’re new to the world of olives, we have a guide that outlines 12 different varieties so you can choose the right one for your recipe.
Olives bring meaty, briny, and aromatic quality to any recipe, which is why they’re especially popular in Mediterranean cooking. Olives pair well with fish and poultry, but can also instantly—and elegantly—elevate a recipe such as roasted cauliflower, a citrus salad, and even deviled eggs. Toss them with roasted vegetables at the end of the cooking process so that they become warm, but still maintain their texture. Or garnish them raw on top of a salad as a contrast to sweet fruit, nuts, and delicate greens.
One of the easiest ways and more delicious ways to enjoy olives is by marinating them in warm olive oil with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves, citrus zest, and peppercorns. You can snack on them alongside a cheeseboard, bring them to a holiday gathering or dinner party, or even present them as a fabulous homemade hostess gift. We also have a simple recipe for olive tapenade, which uses a variety of mixed olives for a basic spread that you can put on sandwiches, pizza, or even whirl into scrambled eggs.
From Kalamata to Manzanilla, Castelvetrano, and more, get to know the wonders of olives with these delicious recipes that let them shine.
