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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Spanish Olives

    Published: Oct 17, 2019 · Modified: Jul 11, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

    274 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Carb / Vegan
    Spanish olives with a text title overlay.

    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 chilli pepper flakes for a little bit of a kick.

    Spanish Olives in a bowl with two lemon wedges and olive picks.

    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.

    If you are looking for some other recipes that feature olives, then why not try our Mediterranean Rice Salad, Easy Salad Jars or Greek Pasta Salad.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love them
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make Spanish Olives - Step by step
    • What olives to use
    • Spanish olive marinade
    • What to serve these with
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Extra tips
    • More Spanish recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love them

    • A new way to enjoy olives - Never have plain olives again. The flavours on these Spanish olives are so simple, but incredible.
    • An easy snack - Who says snacks have to be boring. These are a delicious snack packed with healthy fats.
    • A must at any tapas dinner party - Take your dinner party to the next level by having a tapas theme and including these.
    • Great for feeding a crowd - 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.

    Ingredients needed

    • Olives - We used Gordal Olives, which is a Spanish olive. We prefer green olives, but any olives will work in this recipe.
    • Oil - Try to use a really good quality extra virgin olive oil, as you really will be able to taste the difference.
    • Vinegar - We used a red wine vinegar, but you could swap this for balsamic if you prefer.
    • Lemon - This really lightens up the Spanish olives. Use juice and zest for extra lemon flavour.
    • Chilli flakes - This is optional, but we like the kick of spice it gives.
    • Garlic - Freshly crushed is best. Try to crush it in to an almost fine paste so that it is evenly distributed amongst the olives.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make Spanish Olives - Step by step

    One: Put the olives into a large bowl.

    A large metal bowl containing about 30 green olives.

    Two: Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Put in the fridge for several hours to marinate.

    A metal bowl containing green olives marinated in oil, herbs and lemon zest.

    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.

    Marinated green spanish olives with lemon and olive picks.

    Spanish olive 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. Why not try them on our Tapas Platter.

    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.

    A blue and red bowl filled with green olives next to some toasted bread and a spotted towel.

    Frequently asked questions

    How to store Spanish olives.

    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.

    Are Spanish olives gluten free?

    As long as you make sure there is no cross contamination, then these can be gluten free.

    heart icon

    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.

    More Spanish recipes

    • Slow Cooker Spanish Chicken
    • Tortilla (Spanish Omelette)
    • Spanish Beans
    • Gambas Pil Pil

    If you’ve tried these Spanish Olives, please leave a comment below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    A bowl of green Spanish olives with lemon wedges.

    Spanish Olives

    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.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    The words low carb in a white circle.
    Low Carb
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant in a pot.
    Vegan
    4.83 from 17 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mediterranean, Spanish
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Marinating time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a wine glass.
    Sulphites
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 294kcal
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    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 300 g Pitted green olives
    • 80 ml Olive oil
    • 1.5 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 1 Lemon - (juice and zest only)
    • 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds - crushed
    • 0.25 tablespoon Red chilli flakes
    • 1 tablespoon 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.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 1187mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 469IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly Anthony

      November 04, 2019 at 11:06 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    2. georgie

      November 04, 2019 at 10:26 pm

      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!

      Reply
    3. Beth

      November 04, 2019 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    4. Alison

      October 20, 2019 at 3:29 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    5. estelle | soulandstreusel.com

      October 20, 2019 at 11:14 am

      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!

      Reply
    6. Nicole

      October 20, 2019 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      These spanish olives are sure to be a show stopper during the holidays!

      Reply
    7. Danielle

      October 20, 2019 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      I love getting olives as an appetizer at restaurants, but never thought about making them at home! Looks so tasty!

      Reply
    8. Shadi Hasanzadenemati

      October 17, 2019 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      I love your recipe, I'll be making it again!

      Reply
    9. Sara Welch

      October 17, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      5 stars
      I always love to serve olives during holiday gatherings; I will have to give your recipe a try! Looks delicious!

      Reply
    10. sarah johnson

      October 17, 2019 at 5:08 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    11. Tisha

      October 17, 2019 at 4:44 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great way to spice up those olives as an appetizer! So much flavor!

      Reply

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