Lemon-Marinated Olives with Feta and Garlic Recipe
These Lemon-marinated Olives with Feta and Garlic offer a vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean appetizer. The olives are gently warmed with garlic, fresh lemon zest, chili, and herbs in extra virgin olive oil, then cooled and combined with lemon juice and crumbled feta for a bright, aromatic, and tangy bite-perfect starter or snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Olive Marinade
- 20ml (4fl oz / ½ cup) best-quality extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, bashed
- Zest of 1 lemon (peeled with a peeler) and a good squeeze of juice
- 1 red chilli, sliced, or a pinch of dried chilli (hot pepper) flakes
- 200g (7oz) olives
- A handful of marjoram or oregano leaves (or a pinch of dried if fresh not available), plus extra to serve
To Serve
- 150g (5½oz) feta, crumbled
Instructions
- Warm the oil and garlic: Gently warm half the olive oil in a saucepan over low heat with the bashed garlic until it just begins to sizzle and release a fragrant aroma.
- Add lemon zest and chilli: Stir in the lemon zest and sliced red chilli or dried chilli flakes and cook for 1–2 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Cook the olives: Add the olives and stir through the mixture for another 1–2 minutes to warm them without cooking too long.
- Add herbs and warm: Incorporate the fresh or dried marjoram or oregano leaves, reserving some for garnish, and leave to warm for an additional minute to release their aromatic oils.
- Cool and mix lemon juice: Remove the pan from heat and allow the olive mixture to cool in the pan, then mix in a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Assemble and serve: Transfer the olives, lemon zest, and garlic into a serving dish, drizzle the remaining olive oil on top, scatter with crumbled feta, and garnish with the reserved fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- Use the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can find for optimal flavor.
- Adjust the amount of chilli depending on how spicy you want the dish.
- If fresh herbs are unavailable, dried herbs will work but add them slightly earlier for better flavor release.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and kept refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving.
- Serve with crusty bread or as part of a Mediterranean mezze platter.
Keywords: Lemon marinated olives, feta, garlic, Mediterranean appetizer, marinated olives, easy appetizer, mezze dish
