• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Wine Lover's Kitchen
  • About
  • Father's Day
  • Recipes
  • Wine
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Father's Day
  • Recipes
  • Wine
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Father's Day
    • Recipes
    • Wine
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Appetizers

    Marinated Olive Tapa

    Published: Jul 20, 2017 · Modified: Jun 19, 2020 by Carolyn Hetke · This post may contain affiliate links,

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Marinated Olive Tapa is so easy you don't ever need to pay the premium prices for gourmet olives again! Warning!  These are addictive!

    Marinated olives in a long slim dish.

    I made these as part of a Rioja winetasting with tapas.   In addition to these marinated olives I served a simple but amazing Pan con Tomate, Spanish Garlic Shrimp, Spanish Tortilla, Manchego Cheese and Spanish Paprika Pork Skewers. Check out the recipes and everthing you need to know to host a Rioja winetasting and Tapas evening.   Many of the recipes are super easy and use only a few ingredients.  The Pork Skewers and Spanish Tortilla take a bit more time and effort.  Spread the work around by assigning a dish to each participant!

    And - surprise!  Out of the various dishes I served the most requested recipe was for the Marinated Olive Tapa!  Maybe because they are so simple yet so delicious.  Quite a return on your effort!

    rioja-winetasting-tapas

    These are so simple.  I bought a 750 mil jar of plain, unpitted olives (about 3 cups).  Drain them and then replace the original vinegar with the marinating mixture below.

    Warm them gently and you will be amazed at how flavourful they are. Having said that, there are no Spanish-specific ingredients in these olives. Olives are an integral part of Spanish cuisine and this recipe lends itself to a tapas situation. There is nothing to stop you from serving these as part of an Italian antipasto or a side dish or a just plain appetizer.

    They are best served slightly warm but can be served at room temperature.  You can store leftovers in your fridge for at least a week assuming they are coated in olive oil. Gently reheat them in the microwave if you are serving them again.

    You can get creative with the marinade as well.  Think of what you see in a gourmet olive bar. You could replace the lemon with orange; switch up the red pepper flakes for a spicier pepper or replace the red wine with gin!

    However you choose to serve them- enjoy!

    Close up of marinated olives in a dish.

    Warm Marinated Olive Tapa

    So simple to make but a ver different take on olives.
    Author: Carolyn Hetke

    If you tried this, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know it went in the 📝 comments below!

    5 from 1 vote
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    SaveSaved!
    Print Pin Facebook
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Spanish
    Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 5 minutes mins
    Total Time: 10 minutes mins
    Servings: 3 cups

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups plain unpitted olives
    • ¾ cup olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic sliced thinly
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
    • 1 lemon
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 3 Tbsps red wine vinegar

    Instructions

    • Drain olives and reserve olives in the jar.
    • Zest the lemon. Take about 3 slices of lemon and cut into tiny pieces ensuring there is no pith.
    • Heat olive oil in a skillet and add garlic slices. After a minute or so when garlic just starts to turn colour, add the remaining ingredients. Heat for about 1 more minute.
    • Remove from heat and pour over the olives in the jar.
    • These are best served warm but you can also serve at room temperature. If necessary reheat olives gently in the microwave until just warm.

    Notes

    Nutrition is per Tbsp. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 43kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 41IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thewineloverski or tag #thewineloverski!

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I am Carolyn - the Wine Lover in the Wine Lover's Kitchen! I absolutely love having friends and family around my table with great food and wine to enjoy. If you want great recipes and wine recommendations you have come to the right place!

    Learn more about me →

    Father's Day Recipes

    • French Brie Burger
    • Juicy burgers filled with melted cheese, caramelized onion and bacon, on a bun on a summery plate with dill pickle slices.
      Beer Can Stuffed Burgers
    • bourbon-bacon-burger
      Double Bourbon Bacon Burgers
    • Quartered quesadillas on a plate with avocado on the side
      Grilled Chicken Quesadillas

    Popular Recipes

    • Close up of creamy Cafe de Paris sauce.
      Café de Paris Sauce - The Original 'Secret Sauce'
    • Puffy, crispy flour tortilla flavoured with olive oil and chili, lime seasoning.
      Air Fryer Tortillas
    • Golden brown spinach feta scones on a plate.
      Savoury Spinach and Feta Scones
    • Piece of Italian crumb cake with pistachio cream filling, topped with crushed pistachios and icing sugar.
      Pistachio Cream Crumb Cake
    • Medium rare beef tenderloin sliced on a platter.
      Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin
    • Baked sweetened condensed milk buns piled in a basket.
      Bread Machine Sweetened Condensed Milk Dinner Rolls

    Footer

    ↑ Back to top

    Home

    Recipes Wine

    About

    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy
    • About

    Newsletter

    Tired of wandering around looking at wine labels? Get recipes and my Best Buy wine picks every two weeks!

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact

    Follow me on:

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • X -Former Twitter

    Copyright © 2025 The Wine Lover's Kitchen

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.