Greek

Marinated Greek Olives and Feta

These marinated Greek olives combine salty Kalamata and Castelvetrano olives, creamy feta, lemon peel, fresh garlic, olive oil, vinegar, herbs and spices for the most delicious bite-sized appetizer.

This recipe is quick, easy and absolutely addicting.

Looking for more Greek appetizers? Check out my Greek Pita Nachos or Greek Salad Skewers.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED?

Olives – a combo of pitted Kalamata and Castelvetrano olives are my favorite for this recipe. You can use any olives you like, pitted or not. Just make sure you don’t get the olives that are already marinated. If they are in the brine, you will drain them first.

Olive oil – high-quality extra virgin olive oil is best for this recipe since the olive oil is the base of the marinade it’s imperative to use the best you can find. A Greek extra virgin olive oil from Crete is ideal.

Red wine vinegar – adds a nice tangy balance to the salty olives.

Fresh parsley – using fresh is best for the color and flavor. You can sub for 2 tsp dried if necessary.

Dried oregano – a classic Greek herb that is absolutely necessary and delicious.

Red pepper flakes – is optional but adds a nice subtle heat. If you don’t prefer any spice, then leave it out.

Garlic – thinly slicing the garlic is best.

Lemon peel – we prefer to only use the peel of one lemon as opposed to the zest which can be overpowering. Mixing in just the peel adds the perfect amount of fresh citrusy flavor.

Feta – make sure to buy a high-quality feta block in brine and cut it yourself into bite sized cubes.

HOW TO MAKE MARINATED GREEK OLIVES

Step 1 – Prep ingredients by chopping fresh parsley, peeling lemon with a vegetable peeler and thinly slicing garlic.

Step 2 – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh parsley, dried oregano and red pepper flakes.

Step 3 – Drain olives and add to bowl with thinly sliced garlic and lemon peel strips. Tossing to coat in the marinade.

Step 4 – Cut feta into small cubes and lightly mix in with olive mixture.

Step 5 – Serve marinated Greek olives and feta at room temp with cocktail toothpicks. Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH MARINATED GREEK OLIVES

Marinated Greek Olives and Feta make the perfect cocktail party appetizer or snack on their own.

They are also a great accompaniment to many other dishes.

Serving options:

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER MARINATED GREEK OLIVES

Leftover marinated Greek olives keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Store in an airtight container or jar but be mindful that the marinade may thicken the longer they are stored.

You can toss them with a bit of olive oil to freshen them up before serving again.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

RECIPE FAQ’S

How long are marinated olives good for?

About 2 weeks. The marinade may thicken a bit, so you can add a bit more olive oil and toss around before serving again.

Should marinated olives be refrigerated?

Yes, once they have been opened from the jar they need to be stored in the fridge.

Can I use other olives in this recipe?

Yes, you can use any olives you like, pitted or not. You can use all of one kind or a medley of several.

MORE GREEK RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

RECIPE VIDEO

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Marinated Greek Olives and Feta

A combo of salty Kalamata and Castelvetrano olives, creamy feta, fresh garlic, lemon peel, extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, herbs and spices. This appetizer is quick, easy and absolutely addicting.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Greek
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 9.5 oz jar pitted whole kalamata olives drained
  • 9.5 oz jar pitted whole castelvetrano olives drained
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon peel peeled into strips using vegetable peeler
  • 7 oz feta chunk cut into small cubes

Instructions

  • Prep ingredients by chopping fresh parsley, peeling lemon with a vegetable peeler and thinly slicing garlic.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh parsley, dried oregano and red pepper flakes.
  • Drain olives and add to bowl with thinly sliced garlic and lemon peel strips. Tossing to coat in the marinade.
  • Cut feta into small cubes and lightly mix in with olive mixture.
  • Serve at room temp with cocktail toothpicks. Store in fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • Only use the very outer peel of the lemon.
  • Skip the feta for a dairy-free and vegan dish.
  • To store, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Sierra Georgitsis

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