These marinated olives are soaked in a red wine, balsamic, fig jam reduction. They have a gourmet flavor and presentation, but are so easy to make for an easy, last minute appetizer or snack.
I’ve served these balsamic marinated olives at more gatherings than I can count – they’re always a hit and one of the first snacks to go. Even the less-than-enthused olive fan has been spotted picking at them and I’m always asked for the recipe.
Marinated Olives Ingredients
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Red wine
- Fig jam
- Balsamic vinegar
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Large black olives
- Garlic
- Fresh rosemary
- Orange zest
Figs and olives are so wonderful together, providing a great balance of savory and sweet. The balsamic vinegar lends some zip, while the rosemary and orange zest add an awesome aroma and taste.
How to Make Marinated Olives
Here’s a brief summary of how to make this olive appetizer.
(Scroll down for the detailed printable.)
- Whisk together the wine, jam, and vinegar.
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan; add the olives and garlic; cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the wine mixture; cook for 2 more minutes or until the excess liquid has cooked off.
- Remove from heat and stir in the rosemary and orange zest.
- Serve warm or at rom temperature.
Recipe Notes
- All the alcohol cooks off in this recipe, leaving a deep, rich flavor.
- These are also wonderful stuffed with cream cheese or goat cheese!
- For more of an olive tapenade, you can prepare as directed and then chop up the olives to your desired texture.
- Serve these with crostini or crackers, and tooth picks on the side.
Storing Leftovers
The prepared olives will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container. Stir them a little and bring to room temperature before serving.
More Olive Recipes:
- 2 Ingredient Olive Spread
- Olive Quick Bread
- Easy Olive Cheese Bread
- Olive Tapenade
Plump, juicy, and loaded with flavor, these homemade marinated olives are perfect for entertaining or snacking.
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Fig Balsamic Marinated Olives
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons fig jam
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 12 ounces large black olives , well drained
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 teaspoons very finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the wine, jam, and vinegar. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the olives and garlic; cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the wine mixture; cook for 2 more minutes or until the excess liquid has cooked off.
- Remove from heat and stir in the rosemary and orange zest.
- Serve warm or at rom temperature.
oh I am afraid I would have done the same thing. I have no control when it comes to olives. This is one I have to try!
Sounds delicious! Not that I’m opposed to eating theses with a spoon all to myself, but for a group of people I’m wondering what to serve this with, bread? Crackers? What do you think is best?
Hi Jessica – I’ve always served them as a stand alone appetizer, but I guess you could server them alongside cheese and crackers. You’ll love them!
This is fantastic. Any substitutions for the alcohol as I have a no-alcohol diet..?
Grape, pomegranate, or cranberry juice are commonly used as replacements for red wine, so you could try those. Good luck!
Great olives! Love them!
Every holiday there is a can of black olives…JUST FOR ME! After I’ve had a drink or two I will pop them on my fingers and eat them just like I did when I was a kid!
No judgement here, I can do some serious damage to a jar of olives! These look incredible.
I can never open up a can of olives without eating the whole thing. Cover them in fig jam…and I’d probably eat the whole thing and then immediately head to the store to buy more.
Oh I SO could eat a whole can of olives! I love balsamic, so I can’t wait to try these.
I am going to try this for Christmas at my sister-i n-laws I need to bring an appitizer this will be the on. yummy looking. Thank-you for another great recipe.
Catherine
It’s really easy and perfect for a Christmas app. Hope you like it!
I am an olive FIEND Amy. We’re having a Christmas party, and I’ve been keeping my eye out for easy apps. Pinned!
Me too, Erin! I loved this so much. I’m tripling the recipe for Thanksgiving. Not quite sure what everyone else is getting. *snort*
What a fantastic recipe, perfect for a side appetizer. Thanks for sharing :)
Happy Blogging!
Thanks!
I’m not an olive person, but boy-oh-boy, my hubby and brothers practically get into a brawl over who gets the last olive. I thought Jerry was going to have some type of fit when he saw the vats of olives in Spain. Several of my nieces feel the same way. They are always gone before we even sit down to dinner. However, these almost make me want to try them. :) I think I’ll send this to my sister in law. I wonder if Stephie’s fig butter would work as a substitute for the fig jam? Have a great Monday. P.S. I was all sad about not winning the money, but I did win a cookbook, so I was very excited about that. It doesn’t take much for me.
My love for olives goes waaaay back to when I was a kid and we would make finger puppets with them at Thanksgiving. Everyone does that, right? But I definitely believe you either love them or hate them – there’s not really an in between.
I wish I had $500 to give to everyone. Hell, I wish I had $500 to give to myself! Ha. The gal, Jackie, who did win the money, was super appreciative and excited. Which was SO refreshing. Can’t tell you how many items I’ve given away where the recipient seems less than enthused. :/ I get excited if I find $1.00 in a coat pocket, so I don’t get it…